Antes de Ser Libres [Before We Were Free]

By: Julia Alvarez

Narrated by: Maria Siccardi

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the story of Anita de la Torre, a 12-year-old girl living in the Dominican Republic in 1960. Most of her relatives have immigrated to the United States, her Tio Toni has disappeared, Papi has been getting mysterious phone calls about butterflies, and someone named Mr. Smith and the secret police have started terrorizing her family for their suspected opposition to the country's dictator. While Anita deals with this frightening series of events, she also struggles with her adolescence and her own personal fight to be free.

Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

©2002 Julia Alvarez (P)2004 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Alvarez proves as gifted at writing for adolescents as she is for adults. A stirring work of art.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Historia digna de leer.

Es una gran historia que aunque otro escritores la han escrito y la he leído, he disfrutado está desde el punto de vista de una jovencita. Mostrando que no sólo los adultos sufrieron los efectos emocionales de tal época triste de la República Dominicana. Eventos que debemos contar mantener presentes para no repetirlos.

a book with great insight

if you love The Diary of Anne Frank and the number of the Stars you will love the story. Told by a perspective of a young girl living in the Dominican Republic when it was under a dictator. You follow her to her journey and freedom. And has a sad ending.

the reader does a great job

bien hech

Muy informativa y entretenida y la narration hecha muy bien con expression y claridad. mi primers experiences con in line leido en espanol.

A great follow-up to En el Tiempo de las Mariposas

If you could sum up Antes de Ser Libres [Before We Were Free] in three words, what would they be?

gut-wrenching, heroic

What was one of the most memorable moments of Antes de Ser Libres [Before We Were Free]?

when the family first learned of the confirmed death of their father

What does Maria Siccardi bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I loved her child-like voice - added to the To Kill a Mockingbird feeling of the narration

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Another perspective from the author of En el Tiempo de las Mariposas

Any additional comments?

I have been listening to these books (also the Cuando era puertorriqueno series by Santiago) to practice my Spanish skills. I was not prepared for how absolutely delightful and thought-provoking they would be. I wish you had dozens more like them!

Excelente en todos los sentidos

Julia Alvarez does a great job of putting you in the action. I would hold my breath not to make a sound... exciting, sad, and wonderful.

Antes de ser libres

Excelente libro , Julia Alvarez es una excelente escritora. He escuchado y leido todos sus libros.