The Stories of Eva Luna

Eva Luna is the narrator of The Stories of Eva Luna. She is also the protagonist of Allende’s 1987 novel, Eva Luna. In this follow-up to that novel, Eva tells stories to her romantic partner, Rolf. Eva is a talented storyteller, a skill that she develops to help her cope after she witnesses cruelty and poverty early in life.

The Stories of Eva Luna does not include many details about Eva’s past. In some of the stories (like “Clarisa,” “Simple María,” and “Interminable Life”), Eva infuses herself actively into the narrative, describing how she knows the characters and is sometimes involved directly with the events. Through these interjections, it is shared that Eva spent some time as a child being raised by La Señora and the other women at her brothel. We also discover that Eva fostered relationships with adults like the Blaums, searching for a parental relationship that she was otherwise lacking.

Eva’s characterization is furthered by the types of stories that she chooses to tell. Her stories often feature strong women who value their independence and are stubbornly loyal to their loved ones or their visions for their lives. Eva’s stories are also infused with magic and miracles. She is a dreamer who likes stories that reflect not only hard truths about the world but also speak to hope for the future. The observations that Eva makes about couples like the Blaums and Rolf reveal her romantic side; she believes in love and celebrates it when she sees it in others.

Eva’s skill as a storyteller, her love for Rolf, and her addition of magical details are evidence that she is an unreliable narrator. She is not unreliable because she is attempting to lie or deceive, but rather because she uses stories as tools to offer comfort, deliver messages, or celebrate people she cares about. Eva’s perspective and her view of storytelling as a tool mean that her stories aren’t always realistic.

In the Prologue, the reader sees Eva through Rolf’s eyes. He uses words like “invincible” and “urgent” to describe her and is depicted in a long skirt and sandals, which she kicks off joyfully. Her demeanor, clothing, and loose ponytail all characterize her as a woman who enjoys sensory pleasures and is unfussy about her appearance. Rolf sees her as warm, loving, and energetic, full of joie de vivre.