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debbiecuddy's review
4.0
Summer Bingo-By A Latin American Author-This beautiful and unusual novel opens during the early years of the Castro regime. A group of women have been evacuated during a hurricane and one of the women, an 82 year old, tells the stories of her youth during Cuba's 3rd War for Independence. It was so interesting to read about the history of this difficult time from a woman's perspective. My favorite thing that I learned from reading this novel, was that cigar factories employed lectors, professional readers, to read literature to the workers to ease the tedium of their work; what a great idea!
karaloyd's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
tlvz721's review
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ She was a daughter, a mother, a revolutionary, a storyteller. Maria is evacuated from her home during Hurricane Flora’s ravage upon Cuba in 1963. While sheltered in the governor’s mansion, the women share stories to alleviate their fear. Maria tells her life story in heart-breaking detail, not only in an act of contrition but also in hopes that she will not be forgotten. Deeply moving, folk story like prose. Simply fantastic.
suvata's review
4.0
It's 1963 and Cuba's coast is being threatened by Hurricane Flora. Despite her protests, María Sirena, is being evacuated by the government and given shelter in the governor’s mansion, Casa Velázquez.
While Flora rages outside a group of neighbors (some friends, some enemies) take refuge in story-telling within the temporary shelter. María Sirena is a practiced and compelling storyteller. So, she begins with the story of her mother and father, both rebels in Cuba's fight for independence against Spain.
Chantel Acevedo, through her protagonist, masterfully spins an enthralling tale of love, loss, and liberty. This book engaged me thoroughly in a history I knew very little of.
There's an excellent author Q&A at:
http://thebluestockingsalon.com/2016/03/01/the-distant-marvels-qa-with-chantel-acevedo/#more-2292
While Flora rages outside a group of neighbors (some friends, some enemies) take refuge in story-telling within the temporary shelter. María Sirena is a practiced and compelling storyteller. So, she begins with the story of her mother and father, both rebels in Cuba's fight for independence against Spain.
Chantel Acevedo, through her protagonist, masterfully spins an enthralling tale of love, loss, and liberty. This book engaged me thoroughly in a history I knew very little of.
There's an excellent author Q&A at:
http://thebluestockingsalon.com/2016/03/01/the-distant-marvels-qa-with-chantel-acevedo/#more-2292