The Stories of Eva Luna

The Stories of Eva Luna

by

Isabel Allende

Leonardo Gómez Character Analysis

Leonardo Gómez is a slender, handsome young medical student who catches Maurizia Rugieri’s eye. Since he’s reading from the libretto of Tosca when they meet, Maurizia associates him with her romantic, opera-driven fantasies, and the two of them quickly begin an affair. Maurizia chooses to leave behind her husband Ezio Longo and their son to follow Leonardo to his post as a doctor in a remote oil field. The two enjoy a fairly happy married life together, but Leonardo’s health is poor, and it seems like he isn’t committed to his relationship with Maurizia with the same fiery passion that she is. Leonardo is not quite the romantic hero she thought he was. After the couple moves to Agua Santa, Leonardo’s health eventually catches up with him, and he dies.
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Leonardo Gómez Character Timeline in The Stories of Eva Luna

The timeline below shows where the character Leonardo Gómez appears in The Stories of Eva Luna. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Story 8: Tosca
Men and Women Theme Icon
Love and Sex Theme Icon
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...true in an unexpected way when Maurizia grows enamored with a handsome medical student named Leonardo Gómez, whom she sees reading the score of Tosca on the streetcar one day. To... (full context)
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Family  Theme Icon
When Ezio learns of the affair, he knocks Leonardo down in public, brings Maurizia home, and sets her an ultimatum: she can be with... (full context)
Love and Sex Theme Icon
After 10 years, Leonardo and Maurizia move to Agua Santa. Maurizia’s lavish fashions and epic romance with Leonardo make... (full context)