In the Time of the Butterflies
by Julia Alvarez
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez holds a highly rated rating of 4.13 out of 5, based on 39.9K reader ratings. First published in 1994. The book spans 324 pages.
About In the Time of the Butterflies
Set during the waning days of the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic in 1960, this extraordinary novel tells the story of the Mirabal sisters, three young wives and mothers who are assassinated after visiting their jailed husbands. From the author of How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents comes this tale of courage and sisterhood set in the Dominican Republic during the rise of the Trujillo dictatorship. A skillful blend of fact and fiction, In the Time of the Butterflies is inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters who, in 1960, were murdered for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the government. Alvarez breathes life into these historical figures--known as "las mariposas," or "the butterflies," in the underground--as she imagines their teenage years, their gradual involvement with the revolution, and their terror as their dissentience is uncovered. Alvarez's controlled writing perfectly captures the mounting tension as "the butterflies" near their horrific end. The novel begins with the recollections of Dede, the fourth and surviving sister, who fears abandoning her routines and her husband to join the movement. Alvarez also offers the perspectives of the other sisters: brave and outspoken Minerva, the family's political ringleader; pious Patria, who forsakes her faith to join her sisters after witnessing the atrocities of the tyranny; and the baby sister, sensitive Maria Teresa, who, in a series of diaries, chronicles her allegiance to Minerva and the physical and spiritual anguish of prison life. In the Time of the Butterflies is an American Library Association Notable Book and a 1995 National Book Critics Circle Award nominee.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Julia Alvarez |
| Published | 1994 |
| Pages | 324 |
| Genres | Historical Fiction, Fiction, Classics |
| Average Rating | 4.13 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 39,917 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is In the Time of the Butterflies?
In the Time of the Butterflies is categorized as Historical Fiction, Fiction, Classics. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is In the Time of the Butterflies worth reading?
Based on 39.9K reader ratings, In the Time of the Butterflies has an average score of 4.13 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is In the Time of the Butterflies?
In the Time of the Butterflies has 324 pages.
Who wrote In the Time of the Butterflies?
In the Time of the Butterflies was written by Julia Alvarez. It was first published in 1994.
What is the ISBN for In the Time of the Butterflies?
The ISBN-13 for In the Time of the Butterflies is 9780452274430.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
