In the Times of the Butterflies

In anticipation of my 1st trip to the Domican Republic I've been reading In the Times of Butterlfies.. I love to read about the history of a place prior to going there. Can anyone tell me more about the Mirabal sisters? Are there places on the island that honor the sisters? Does anyone recommend any other books to get a flavor of the Dominican? THanks ,

MAy

On the Malecón of Santo Domingo, there is an obelisk that was painted by a renown Dominican pinter and that honors the Mirabal sisters. Vice President Jaime David Fernández Mirabal is a nephew of the sisters. A daughter of Minerva, one of the assassinated sisters, Minou Tavarez Mirabal, is deputy minister of Foreign Affairs. Both Jaime David and Minou were brought up by Dedé Mirabal, the surviving sister.

For a book to understand Dominicans, we recommend Living in Santo Domingo.

Hello May,

I sugest that you read " How the Garcia girls lost their accents", by Julia Alverez, the same author who wrote " In the time of the butterflies" that you mention that you are reading. It is a wonderful book set in the D.R. and the U.S.A., by Ms. Alvarez who now teaches writing, among other subjects at Middlebury College in Vermont, where she also went as an undergraduate. If I find any others, I'll let you know.

John

Thanks for all the advise. I'm just enthralled to read about such a family of strength. I haven't finished it yet, but am pleased to read that some of the child JAime David? and Minou have grown so well. I can't imagine the challenge of overcoming such injustices. God bless all the Mirabals.

May