49 pages 1 hour read

Isabel Allende, Transl. Margaret Sayers Peden

Eva Luna

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1987

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Eva Luna by Isabel Allende, translated by Margaret Sayers Peden, follows the life of Eva Luna, an orphaned storyteller, navigating her way through a series of transformative adventures in an unnamed South American country amidst political upheaval. Eva's journey intertwines with a cast of vibrant characters, highlighting themes of love, resilience, and revolution over several decades. The novel includes mentions of abuse, including child abuse and sexual abuse, and contains descriptions of death by suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Eva Luna by Isabel Allende and translated by Margaret Sayers Peden is celebrated for its rich, imaginative storytelling and vibrant characters. Reviewers commend its lyrical prose and vivid portrayal of Latin American culture. However, some criticize the narrative’s pacing and occasional melodrama. Overall, it's praised as a compelling, magical realist novel with a strong protagonist.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Eva Luna?

Readers who enjoy The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende or One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez will find Eva Luna captivating. This novel appeals to those who appreciate richly woven tales blending magic realism, complex characters, and socio-political themes in Latin American settings.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Magical Realism

Historical Fiction

Romance

Themes

Society: Politics & Government

Identity: Femininity

Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance