Read novel -don't get it "In the time of the Butter

[john]

For class I had to read a novel by Julia Alvarez called "In the time of the Butterflies."  Now, though I read it thouroughly I came away feeling quite empty -the book seemed to fall flat towards the end by not really building to a climax.  The story of the 4 sisters was interesting somewhat but I wanted something more.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else had to read and report on this in their high school or college class and it you could impart some wisdom about what the book meant to you and what you felt about it.  I'll take anything because a big ass term paper will be due in a week or two and I need something to write about  A 15 page paper that says "I didn't like it" would not go over big

[JohnNS]

A 15 page paper that says "I didn't like it" would not go over big

Why not? Write what you think/feel about it. It'd probably be a refreshing change from everybody else's papers all kissing ass and pretending they all think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.  

But what do I know   :dunno:

Good luck either way  

[JamesG]

I am SOOOO glad I am done with all my english and lit. classes...

[john]

I am SOOOO glad I am done with all my english and lit. classes...

bite me  :nana:

[Turkina]

Remember, if you're going to write a paper dumping on the book, make sure your points are solid and defensible and explained well.  Because if your teacher likes the book, you'll get slammed if you show weakness explaining your points.  Might get slammed anyways if your teacher is an opinionated jerk.  

[Michael]

This probably is not much help, but from my experience (my wife did a BA majoring in Lit.) books that get chosen for study courses basically fall into  several main categories-
1/ Too obscure and pointless to make it on the open market.
2/ The author is a friend of the lecturer, or the lecturer wrote the book.
3/ The lecturer was drunk &/or stoned when they read it.
4/ The book involves some pseudointellectual navel-gazing that the lecturer doesn't understand either but sounds really deep when spouting same in the lecture course.  (Students are in grave danger of vanishing up their own fundamental orifices if they try it, though).
I'm sure there are other reasons but these seem to be the main ones.
GOOD LUCK!

[john]

Ha ha Michael, you are close on this one.  This book champions the strength woman have.  It revolves around 3 sisters who fought to overthrow the Dominican Republic in a communist revolution/popular uprising.  The 4th sister tells the tale and she stayed on the sidelines mostly.

The book is fiction yet many people believe it is non-fiction.  These sisters were elevated to a much higher status by the author who is also championed as "One of the best hispanic female authors in our time"  Hell, I could be called "one of the best white Irish male authors on Cordial Road!"  :lol:

Anyway, it was well written which made it an easy read, but the story fell flat.