Mariposa #1

Historical adaptations, both fiction and reality-based, have always been a favorite genre of mine. From shows like “Downton Abbey” to modern adaptations like “SIX,” the reflections of past worlds and nations are always a joy to submerge myself in. Hispanic and Latino literature is also a phenomenal genre, with greats like Isabel Allende and Julia Alvarez. Today, we will be diving into one of my favorite books at the intersection of these worlds: “In The Time Of The Butterflies” by Julia Alvarez. A somewhat fictionalized version of a true story, this book follows four sisters in the Dominican Republic. It is set in the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, a brutal ruler of the country from 1930 until his assassination in 1961. He killed many innocent Dominicans and Haitians, leaving his bloody mark on history. The book opens with Dedé, one of the four sisters, telling her family’s story to an interviewer.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.