ISBN: 9780571207763

Synopsis Urania Cabral, a New York lawyer, returns to the Dominican Republic after a lifelong self-imposed exile. Urania’s own story alternates with the powerful climax of dictator Rafael Trujillo’s reign. In 1961, Trujillo’s decadent inner circle – which includes Urania’s soon-to-be disgraced father – enjoys the luxuries of privilege while the rest of the nation lives in fear and deprivation.

But after the murder of its hated dictator is carried out, the Dominican Republic is plunged into the nightmare of a bloody and uncertain aftermath. Now, thirty years later, Urania reveals how her own family was fatally wounded by the forces of history.

Bookclub Review Urania Cabral, a New York lawyer, returns to the Dominican Republic after a lifelong self-imposed exile. Urania’s story alternates with flashbacks to the intense final days of dictator Rafael Trujillo’s reign. In 1961, Trujillo’s decadent inner circle – which includes Urania’s soon-to-be disgraced father – enjoys the luxuries of privilege while the rest of the nation lives in fear and deprivation.

After the assassination of its hated dictator, the Dominican Republic is plunged into the nightmare of a bloody and uncertain aftermath. Now, thirty years later, Urania reveals how her own family was deeply scarred by the forces of history.

What the group thought:

In general the book was viewed as well-constructed and beautifully written. Some argued that it would be fascinating had the book being written as non-ficition This might have avoided some of the criticisms around how well the book worked as a novel; namely, some commented that the book was difficult for readers to engage with, especially for those unfamiliar with Latin American politics during that era. The author deftly captured the sense of upper-class entitlement that defined Trujillo’s innermost circle and also contrasted this with the barbaric behavior of the lower classes. The violent use of language in the novel was disturbing to read at times but appropriate given the content of the novel. If you like political/historical novels that don’t shy from the graphic, and also enjoy a challenging read, then this is certainly a good book for you.