The Retreat for Heartbroken Women

“El albergue de las mujeres tristes” tells the story of Floreana, a forty-year-old woman who, overwhelmed by the pain and confusion of her life, decides to retire to a shelter on an island in southern Chile. This place, intended for women going through emotional crises, becomes a place of refuge and reflection. The novel explores themes of loneliness, female solidarity and the struggle to find purpose and meaning in the midst of sadness. Serrano uses this setting to delve into human emotions and how women can support each other in the search for emotional healing and rebuilding their lives.

Marcela Serrano is a Chilean writer born in 1951, known for her focus on issues of gender, identity and interpersonal relationships. Her work often explores the experiences of women, their internal struggles and their relationships with the world around them.