Alvarez, in her novel, In the Time of the Butterflies, employs an interesting technique in developing her four main characters; each chapter is told through the perspective of one of these four. In doing so, the reader is initially confused and thrown into a large pool of names, actions, and background that must be memorized and re-referenced. Eventually, however, Alvarez's method proves to be a highly effective one, as each character makes her way into the reader's mind on her own individual basis. As Minerva tells of her confusion and shock when learning of Trujillo's cruelty against Sinita's family, the reader learns exactly how Minerva felt, rather than hearing it from another one of the characters or a third-party narrator. It is a more personal connection to her emotions being made. The same can be said of any of the tragedies illuminated in the novel : Patria's stillbirth, Dede burying her three sisters, etc.
Although the styling takes getting used to, in hindsight, I cannot imagine a more effective way to meet each of the Mirabal sisters. And regardless of Dede initially telling us that the other three sisters are deceased before we even meet them, the plot still unfolds well, and perhaps may even be more entertaining as the reader is invited to completely plunge into the life of the girl's and follow their stories to their inevitable demise. I admire the risk Alvarez took in this method as well which again led to a solid, respected novel.
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