"In the Time of the Butterflies" is a compelling novel by Julia Alvarez that follows the lives of the four Mirabal sisters - Patria, Minerva, Maria Teresa, and Dedé - who lived in the Dominican Republic during the brutal dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. The story is based on real events and provides a unique perspective on the political turmoil and social injustice of the time.
The novel begins with the youngest sister, Dedé, as the lone survivor reflecting on the tragic fate of her sisters, who became known as the "Butterflies" due to their code names in the resistance movement against Trujillo's regime. Through flashbacks and alternating narratives from each sister's perspective, Alvarez paints a vivid picture of their individual struggles, passions, and sacrifices.
