The study of cross-cutting characters in Roberto Bolano's narrative is essential when examining the existing critical bibliography on the Chilean author. Many analyses focus on individual characters or specific works, overlooking the cohesive nature of Bolano's fictional universe. This article aims to present a comprehensive history of the interconnected characters in Bolano' s texts, exploring their evolution and the interplay between the plots of his stories and novels. By examining the complete range of recurring characters, the article uncovers multiple cross-cutting character arcs that span across several of Bolano's works. While Bolano's recognition grew after receiving the Romulo Gallegos Prize in 1998, academic interest in his works further intensified with subsequent publications, including monographs, theses and critical studies. Notable contributions include works that extensively analyse various aspects of Bolano's writing but fall short of a comprehensive study of his cross-cutting characters. This article fills that gap by exploring the appearances and transformations of characters such as Arturo Belano and Ulises Lima, examining instances of character rewriting, and delving into the portrayal of characters in different works. By offering a holistic and intertextual understanding of Bolano's narrative, this study contributes to the critical analysis of his literary oeuvre.