Monique

In 1929, Marguerite Yourcenar, writing in French, published her first novel, Alexis, or a Treatise on a Vain Conflict, Ý1¨ in the form of a letter written by a husband to the wife of three years whom he had deserted. In 2003, the Portuguese author, Lusa Coelho took up the task and created Monique in response to Yourcenars Alexis. Coelhos novella, the letter Monique wrote in return to Alexis, explodes not only Alexiss perception of Monique, but societys perception of women as well. In it, she opens the door to an inner life unimaginable by both her husband and the society in which she lived. Monique allows a re-reading of Alexis that makes clear his lack of knowledge of the woman to whom he had been married for three years. He knew nothing of her immense creativity and lesbian sexuality that had taught her to long for a passionate sexual relationship. Much worse, however, was the tragedy of Alexiss emotional isolation that prevented his interest in her inner life. He too was a victim of social circumstances that dictated he marry against his sexual preference.