Julia Alvarez's historical novel follows 12-year-old Anita de la Torre as she lives through the terrifying final days of Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. 📌 Quick Overview Setting: Dominican Republic, 1960–1961.
Anita goes from being silenced by fear to writing her truth in a diary. Before We Were Free
The transition from childhood innocence to political awakening. Before We Were Free
It provides a accessible, humanized look at living under a brutal dictatorship. Before We Were Free
Anita de la Torre, a young girl finding her voice.
It serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly freedom can be lost and how hard it is to win back.