Customer Reviews

The Stories of Eva Luna

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Anyone wishing to read a book of stories that mesmerizes you like the first stories you ever heard need look no further than this superb collection. The framing premise is that Eva and her lover Rolf have relaxed after an amorous encounter, and now Rolf wishes Eva to tell him a story ("Make it up for me," he tells her). From the bed, Eva spins 23 amazing stories drawing from fairy tales, magic realism, the chaotic history of Latin America, and the reality (including dream reality) of women's contemporary and past lives.
Varying broadly in their setting and characters, the stories remain unified in their unflinchingly tough-minded view of life, filtered through the wish fulfillments of a tempestuous seductress. Using the inspiration of The Thousand Nights and a Night, Allende refracts the empowerment of women in a male-infested world through the lens of the power of words. The stories have a cumulative impact, but individual titles that stand out to this reader include "The Little Heidelberg," "Walimai," "If You Touched My Heart," "The Judge's Wife," "Our Secret," "Ester Lucero," and the wrenching final story, "And of Clay Are We Created" (with an ending similar to Woody Allen's Radio Days). Having been stranded on the flotsam of political chaos herself, Allende acutely details shifts in the characters' fates as citizens of impoverished and disempowered cultures. Moreover, the notion that postmodern narrative offers style but little feeling or substance is disproved by this author and book. Highly recommended

After being recommended this book by a friend, I sought out to find it. My bookstore only had Eva Luna in stock so I bought that and read it. For me, Eva Luna was a bit boring and not everything I expected so it was with hesitance that I decided to purchase The Stories of Eva Luna. But am I glad I did! Each story each worth reading, I could not put the book down and read it in two days. It has got to be one of the best books I have ever read. Magical, witty and full of imagination, Isabel Allende is truly a great author.

Having never read Allende before, I found this book in my hotel room in San Diego and flying back home, I devoured it as flew home. It is a magical, intoxicating book that has allowed me to discover the wonderful world woven by the word magic of Allende. In here we discover Eva Luna and her mother and their odd, surreal world in South America and their odd, numbing stories with Indians, revolutionaries, mad English doctors, Arab seductresses and a light-eyed storyteller with an incredible lifestory!

Anyone in search of the some of the finest "magical realism" writing done by a fine Latin American writer will not be disappointed with Isabel Allende's short story collection "The Stories of Eva Luna". Whether she writes about abandoned women or American Indians trying to cope with modern Latin American civilization, her words convey much empathy and create moving, often emotionally stirring portraits of the people she describes. I can't single out one story and say that it is the best in the collection; all of them are splendid literary gems in their own right.

Eva Luna is one of the best contemporary novels I have read. It is absolutely irresistable--I dreamt about Eva throughout the day when I could not read about her. Reading this book is akin setting sail at sea on a large ship--I truly loved it and I think that Allende is a genious. It is as magical as "100 Years of Solitude" and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys reading.

Isabela Allende's "The Stories of Eva Luna" is truely a masterpiece not only in its origional Spanish edition, but also in this English translation, which fully gives the reader a feel for Allende's tone. Each story is consice, yet powerful and filled with allusions to everyday life. Allende covers a wide range of topics from politics and the story of Eva Peron (in "Two Words") to the complexity of love (in "Toad's Mouth). The way in which the book parallels "1001 Nights" is amazing, as well as the way in which Allende is able to incorporate the novel "Eva Luna" into this work. My personal favorites were "The Little Heidelberg" (possibly the best example of magical realism that I have ever read) and "And of Clay Are We Created" (a moving story based on a real event).

This fantastic book is a must read. Isabel Allende is a very gifted writer who continues the story set out in Eva Luna (the first book) in a series of vignettes. Definately of the calibre of Gabrielle Garcia Marquez or Laura Esquivel (Like Water for Chocolate) this book embodies all of the best aspects of the Latin American fiction novel.

This collection of short stories is consistent with what one would expect from someone as talented, sensitive and visual as Allende. This book is nothing short of a masterpiece. The stories are intervoven within the context of one prime narrator but each one stands alone as an independent and admirable piece of work. Her writing makes you want to create multiple parts and continuations to each story in your head long after you have closed the book. These fables enrichen the imagination-injecting vitality and passion. There is no better way to spend a sunday afternoon at the beach than with this book right by your side. I promise you.

This is not a feminist novel in the politically correct fashion, yet still enables an integrity in the women that is rarely seen. Isabel Allende has extraordinary ability to tell stories that reflect emotions so strongly that the characters become a part of you. I don't recall how many times I've read this book. I'll read a favorite story before I go to sleep for pleasant dreams, or the whole book from time to time. Everytime I borrow the book out, my recipient has enjoyed it so much that I end up giving the book to them. Read this book, and realize the beauty of Allende's world.

Lyrical, poetic and unforgettable - this collection of short stories is a sensory feast. Allende paints her characters in such rich and striking hues that they come alive for the reader. There is the story of Maurizia - the woman who leaves her stodgy husband for her exciting lover. There is the horrific plight of the childlike Hortensia who undergoes cruel punishment. Then there is the tale of the wife and concubine of Tomas Vargas who finally take revenge on the man who ill-treats them. The stories are compelling and familiar and the characters will haunt you long after you put down the book. The stories are classic Allende and the translation is superb.