Circle of Love Over Death: The Story of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo [Paperback]

Matilde Mellibovsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1996

Matilde Mellibovsky not only describes the personal anguish of the families over the torturee, deaths or "disappearance" of their children, but also shows how the women gave emotional support to each other and the way in which, since 1976, they slowly but surely organized and built and international movement.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Spanish

About the Author

Matilde Mellibovsky is one of the founding Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo and currently lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Curbstone Books; 1st edition (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880684381
• ISBN-13: 978-1880684382
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #813,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ordinary women struggle valiently for long-deferred justice., December 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Circle of Love Over Death: The Story of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (Paperback)

Circle of Love Over Death paints a realistic, and inspiring, picture of how "ordinary" women faced with terrible loss(es)-- the loss of their children -- are fighting for justice. There is background text for each chapter, followed by testimonies of mothers whose sons and daughters "disappeared." The "children" (most of whom were in their late teens to mid-twenties) were from varied backgrounds and ethnic groups, but they shared a deep desire to better the lives of the poor, and acted upon that desire. This was their crime.

The mothers' testimonies often relate gruesome, shocking details. Their stories are filled with not only indescribable pain and loss, but with the adamant refusal to be a victim.

After more than twenty years, and at risk of personal safety, these courageous women continue their struggle. Their goal is twofold: for justice for the disappeared, and to call the world's attention to this flagrant violation of human rights. Their Thursday afternoon marches around the Plaza de Mayo have attracted worldwide attention and support.

Warning: This book may inspire you to become more involved with social justice and global concern for humanity.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Testimonies of Love, March 1, 2000

By 

Kendra Tidwell (Normal, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Circle of Love Over Death: The Story of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (Paperback)

"They took the best of a generation...They didn't even let us know why they took them away either." This is just one example of the testimonies of the mothers who children "disappeared" In a time of dictatorship, children were disappearing left and right with no explanation. All of the mothers banned together and marched in a circle on Thursdays in the Plaza, hence the name Cirlce of Love. The main focus of the mothers was trying to get information. Any information at all would be taken with great depth and give them hope to carry on.

This book really speaks about the love that these women had for their children and the love they still carry on. Even when they only got silence when questioning authorities they still marched on. They even marched on after they knew that all the disappeared were dead.

These women and mothers not only had to struggle dealing with their childen's disappearance, but they were also forced to live in fear. Parent's had to fear their children's activities, whether they be students going to a school meetings, teachers, or working towards a career, everything was a motive for repression. Because of the disappearances so many loved ones were forced to change their way of life. They changed their habits and social and family customs. Everyone was forced into live in fear.

This is a very emotional book. But I think that it is something that everyone should read and be aware of. The testimonies of these women are the truth, and there is no hiding the truth.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mothers desperate attempts, May 2, 2000

By 

Abby (Normal, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Circle of Love Over Death: The Story of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (Paperback)

Circle of Love over Death, written by Matilde Mellibovsky, gives true testimonies from mothers from Argentina who had lost their children. These testimonies are true stories from women who's children have disappeared during the Argentinian "dirty war." The Mothers, in order to get some justice, appear at the Plaza de Mayo every Thursday afternoon demanding for answers about the disappearnce of their children. This book portrays the love that these women had for their children. These women not only are not only fighting for human's rights, but as for rights as a mother. Even when they received no answers when questioning authorities they still kept marching.