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The Distant Marvels: A Novel Paperback – April 7, 2015

by Chantel Acevedo (Author)

340 ratings

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The acclaimed Cuban American author of Love and Ghost Letters delivers “a wonderful story about the stories we tell each other” set in 1960s Cuba (San Francisco Chronicle).

Cuba, 1963. Hurricane Flora, one of the deadliest in recorded history, is bearing down on the island. Seven women have been forcibly evacuated from their homes and herded into the former governor’s mansion. There they are watched over by another woman―Ofelia, a young soldier of Castro’s new Cuba. As the storm rages and the floodwaters rise, a cigar factory lector named Maria Sirena tells the incredible story of her childhood during Cuba’s Third War of Independence; of her father Augustin, a ferocious rebel; of her mother, Lulu, an astonishing woman who fought, loved, dreamed, and suffered as fiercely as her husband. But stories have a way of taking on a life of their own, and soon Maria will reveal more about herself than she or anyone ever expected.
Chantel Acevedo’s The Distant Marvels is an epic adventure tale, a family saga, a love story, a stunning historical account of armed struggle against oppressors, and a long tender plea for forgiveness. It is, finally, a life-affirming novel about the kind of love that lasts a lifetime and the very art of storytelling itself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Distant Marvels

"Acevedo here makes a significant contribution to contemporary literature...This is a major, uniquely powerful, and startlingly beautiful novel that should bring Acevedo's name to the top echelon of this generation's writers."
—Booklist (Starred Review)

"Rich and engrossing...quite aside from the human perceptivity and warmth that distinguish The Distant Marvels, is a writing style of an elegance rarely encountered in contemporary fiction."
—Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Distant Marvels is a wonderful story about the stories we tell each other and what they reveal about ourselves."
—The San Francisco Chronicle

"Acevedo takes a great story to another level with her remarkable storytelling."
—Cedar Rapids Gazette

"Irresistible moments of rebellion and bravery define this tale."
—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

"As Hurricane Flora blows past Fidel Castro's new Cuba, Acevedo's heartbreaking and humane novel comes to a memorable conclusion."
—Publishers Weekly

"A modern riff on Scheherazade that celebrates the art of the story."
—BookRiot

"Acevedo's prose has an endearingly relaxed feel-like she's sitting across from you and telling the tale."
—OZY

“Chantel Acevedo is one of the most versatile and exciting writers of her generation, with a voice that speaks not only to the American experience, but to our universal humanity. I fall for her characters, whole-heartedly, while being covetous of her stunning prose.”
—Julianna Baggott, author of the Pure trilogy

“Exquisitely rendered . . . The Distant Marvels is a Thousand and One Nights-style surrender to the true art of story telling.”
—Ana Castillo, author of The Guardians

“The Distant Marvels is a compelling, gorgeously-written epic about Cuban women as fierce as the storms and the hardships they endure. Every scene, every detail, every utterance and intimacy feels richly, enchantingly true.”
—Cristina Garcia, author of Dreaming in Cuban

“I loved The Distant Marvels . . . Acevedo’s language is liquid and gathering, mirroring the great ebb and swell of political struggle, transcending love, as well as the events that have gathered the storyteller, María Sirena, and her audience together under one brilliantly constructed ‘roof.’”
—Ru Freeman, author of On Sal Mal Lane

“The Distant Marvels is lush and captivating . . . The women in these pages survive to tell their tales, and oh, what wondrous stories they are.”
—Marie Manilla, author of The Patron Saint of Ugly

“Chantel Acevedo brilliantly conveys the dual nature of the stories we tell ourselves, which achieve grace and transformation through tempestuous churning. The Distant Marvels, like love itself, is both storm and shelter at once.”
—Justin Torres, author of We the Animals

"With enchanting novels such as A Falling Star and The Distant Marvels, Acevedo hovers between poetry and prose, romance and history, nostalgia and modern life."
—Margarita Engle, author of The Surrender Tree

“Love and Ghost Letters is enchanting; a heartfelt story…It captures, beautifully, the atmosphere and emotions of a time which, both Cuban Americans and many an American reader, will find both reminiscent and fulfilling. A great debut.”
—Oscar Hijuelos, author of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, on Love and Ghost Letters

About the Author

Chantel Acevedo was born in Miami to Cuban parents. She is the author of A Falling Star (Carolina Wren Press, 2014), Love and Ghost Letters (St. Martins, 2006), winner of the Latino International Book Award, and The Distant Marvels (Europa, 2015). Acevedo is an Associate Professor of English in the MFA Program of the University of Miami.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Europa Editions; First Edition (April 7, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1609452526
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1609452520
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.89 x 8.4 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #832,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,234 in Hispanic American Literature & Fiction
- #3,713 in 20th Century Historical Fiction (Books)
- #9,219 in Family Saga Fiction

Customer Reviews:
340 ratings

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340 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this historical novel to be among the most amazing works of fiction, with beautifully written prose that paints vivid images of life. The book provides interesting insights into Cuba, with well-developed characters, though some find it typically sad in places. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with several customers noting it's not as engaging.

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Story quality Writing quality Knowledge of cuba Character development Sadness Pacing

21 customers mention "Story quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers praise the historical novel's storyline, describing it as one of the most amazing works of fiction they've read.

"...Acevedo weaves a marvelous tale of Cuban culture and history spanning the revolution that freed Cuba from Spanish rule...." Read more

"...With the telling, we see the power of stories - and how much we are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves." Read more

"...The story in this book stays with you." Read more

"A novel way to tell a story - a story within a story. Typically sad in places as war stories are...." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as beautifully written, with one customer noting its artistic syntax and imagery, while another mentions how it paints vivid images of life.

"...It is so well written that you will read it quickly and wish it had not ended. I not only enjoyed this read, I learned a great deal about Cuba...." Read more

"This beautifully written book paints vivid images of life, love, struggle, loss and redemption...." Read more

"...S The writing is well done, but the characters themselves seemed very one dimensional; I never felt truly invested in the outcome of the story...." Read more

"Very good, lovely writing, storytelling and characters were well formed. It's a page turner AND a great choice for book clubs!" Read more

7 customers mention "Knowledge of cuba"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book educational about Cuba, with one mentioning how it brings the country's revolution to life, while another notes its informative content about Spanish occupation.

"...Typically sad in places as war stories are. Also informative about Spanish occupation and the plight of war stricken Cuba which I knew little about." Read more

"It was interesting learning about Cuba." Read more

"...The author writes well and brought revolutionar Cuba to life. Makes one count her blessings." Read more

"Enjoyed it and learned so much about Cuba's history while I was growing up in USA." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...their homes and thrown them together is a fitting context for the main character’s storytelling talents...." Read more

"Very good, lovely writing, storytelling and characters were well formed. It's a page turner AND a great choice for book clubs!" Read more

"...Well written and a real page turner. Great characters, you want to shate their stories." Read more

"Very interesting read. Well developed characters and plot development. The author writes well and brought revolutionar Cuba to life...." Read more

6 customers mention "Sadness"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the sadness in the book, with some finding it typically sad in places, while one customer describes it as heart rending.

"...It is fascinating, exciting, dangerous and sad...." Read more

"...It is a harsh and sad story but you will learn a lot." Read more

"A novel way to tell a story - a story within a story. Typically sad in places as war stories are...." Read more

"Not memorable. My friend liked it though." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book unengaging.

"...Maria Sirena's story; however, it felt too forced and there was no real development of the others with her, other than token descriptions...." Read more

"...me of a "What I Did On My Summer Vacation" essay only not as interesting...." Read more

"I thought the book was not very interesting - boring. Half of my book group enjoyed it and half did not care for it." Read more

"The most self-pitying, boring , failed attempt at self justification I've read. Don't bother" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

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Kathleen Perkins
Cuban Fascination
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2015
Verified Purchase

The Distant Marvels is a wonderful and timely novel. With Cuba so much in the news I was eager to read this book . Acevedo weaves a marvelous tale of Cuban culture and history spanning the revolution that freed Cuba from Spanish rule. The story is told over several days by an elderly women to female friends; all having been evacuated to an old mansion during a hurricane. It is so well written that you will read it quickly and wish it had not ended. I not only enjoyed this read, I learned a great deal about Cuba. I recommend highly.

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6 people found this helpful

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Joyce A.
The storyteller's story
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
During a hurricane in 1960s Cuba, a group of mostly older women shelter from the storm. While several women tell stories of their children, loves, etc., one woman tells the story of her life, from the Revolution in the late 1800s. It is fascinating, exciting, dangerous and sad. With the telling, we see the power of stories - and how much we are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves.

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One person found this helpful

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Starfish
A Story for Storytellers
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2019
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This beautifully written book paints vivid images of life, love, struggle, loss and redemption. The story line of being sheltered from a storm that has taken women from their homes and thrown them together is a fitting context for the main character’s storytelling talents. The story she tells transcends the women’s fears of surviving the storm’s destruction and evokes their emotions and memories of life’s struggles and love. The story in this book stays with you.

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3 people found this helpful

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lebrno
Lacking Something
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2015
Verified Purchase
While I enjoyed the The Distant Marvels, I never really connected to any of the characters for some reason which detracts from my overall rating. S The writing is well done, but the characters themselves seemed very one dimensional; I never felt truly invested in the outcome of the story. While the story is told from the perspective of Maria Sirena, the main protagonist, I would have like to have seen a bit more development of the supporting characters. The story is told in various flashbacks, with small parts of the story taking place in Maria Sirena's present while she and other women are taking refuge from a hurricane. I felt that this portion of the story was only there to provide a context for Maria Sirena's story; however, it felt too forced and there was no real development of the others with her, other than token descriptions. Overall it just felt like something was missing that could have made this a wonderful story.

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5 people found this helpful

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Pamela
A story within a story
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2015
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A novel way to tell a story - a story within a story. Typically sad in places as war stories are. Also informative about Spanish occupation and the plight of war stricken Cuba which I knew little about.

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One person found this helpful

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Marty Cole
This is one of the most amazing works of fiction I have ever read
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is one of the most amazing works of fiction I have ever read! Love the Spanish that is dropped in every now and then, and I love the story line. If you have an interest in Cuban or Latin American books by Latina authors then this book is for you. Honestly, there is just something about Cuban women or Latina writers that really bring a fresh, introspective perspective to the world of Latin American literature. I can't recommend this book highly enough and I plan to read more of Ms. Acevedo's works. GET THIS BOOK!!! You will be glad you did!

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2 people found this helpful

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zlookingglass
Well done historical fiction (my favorite genre!)
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2016
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Very good, lovely writing, storytelling and characters were well formed. It's a page turner AND a great choice for book clubs!

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Terrold S. Harder
Great story set in turn of the century Cuba during ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2016
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Great story set in turn of the century Cuba during the time that Cuba is seeking independence from Spain. It is a story of reflection with one elderly woman telling her story to a group -- her story of this difficult time when all of life was uncertain, unpredictable, and very complex.

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Top reviews from other countries

jak
Very enjoyable. I was in Cuba last year especially ...
Reviewed in Canada on March 7, 2017
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Very enjoyable. I was in Cuba last year especially in Santiago.

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Sue
Wonderful story...Beautiful words.
Reviewed in Australia on December 3, 2017
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A wonderful story told in way that captures the reader until the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading stories that combine history, love and courage.

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chantal warda
Five Stars
Reviewed in Australia on February 20, 2016
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I absolutely loved this book

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Ellgie
Disappointing
Reviewed in Canada on August 24, 2015
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This book started out strong and seemed like it would continue so, however it proved to be very uneven and fragmented. The many pieces of the story never really combined smoothly to portray a complete and whole tribute to the main character, Maria Sirena. It ran out of steam about a third of the way through and often felt contrived and "padded"; some times a little too chick?-lit for my taste.
In the end, I felt that this author felt compelled to squeeze, into this book, every thought and description she had been collecting her whole life. A little more writing discipline might have produced a more solid, connected story.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable. I was in Cuba last year especially ...

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story...Beautiful words.

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing

Very enjoyable. I was in Cuba last year especially ...

Wonderful story...Beautiful words.

Five Stars

Disappointing