Super Short Summary

The Distant Marvels by Chantel Acevedo follows Maria Sirena, an elderly Cuban woman, who, along with other women, is evacuated to a historic museum during Hurricane Flora in 1963. Maria uses her storytelling abilities to keep the group’s spirits up, sharing her vivid recollections of Cuba's past and her own tumultuous life. Through these stories, the women bond and find a sense of catharsis amidst the storm. Sensitive topics include experiences in concentration camps, war trauma, and loss.