Eva Logan Acton

Eva Logan Acton is the protagonist of the story, though her viewpoint is not the only one offered throughout the story. The novel begins when Eva is 12 and her mother abandons her on the doorstep of her father. Abandoned by her mother, her father will not acknowledge that he is her father, calling her, instead, his niece. Thus begins a cycle of abandonment and identity crisis for Eva.

She struggles with her place in the world, trying on many personas during the span of the novel. First, she becomes the cook, housekeeper, and governess for Iris, her older half sister. She follows Iris to Hollywood and while there is her seamstress and housemate. Later, she must step into Iris's life as a governess when her sister leaves to perform on stage. Then, she becomes a mother when Iris abandons her adopted son, Danny.

It is clear...