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.