SCROLL OF SEDUCTION (Gioconda Belli)

There were mixed reactions from the First Tuesday Book Club to this very sensual novel by Nicaraguan radical Gioconda Belli. Translated from Spanish, this novel presents the reader with 2 intertwined stories, one of Juana, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabela of Spain, and the other of Lucía, an orphaned school girl of 17 who becomes the love object and obsession of Manuel, a Spanish history professor who is teaching a class on the Spanish princess. Manuel is consumed with the story of Juana, called la Loca (the mad) because of her erratic behavior and obsession with her husband, Phillipe of Asturias (Phillipe the hansdsome). Manuel's ancestors were in charge of caring for Juana, heiress to the throne of Castille, who was the victim of the political machinations of her father, husband, and, eventually, her son, King Charles. Virtually imprisoned from her late 20's, after the death of her husband, until her death at the age of 75, Juana probably suffered from depression, bipolar disorder, or mood swings. She was an intelligent, passionate woman, robust enough to produce 6 healthy children, all of whom lived until adulthood and became rulers of Europe. Due to Lucía's uncanny resemblance to Juana, Manuel invites her to dress up as the young queen and listen to the story of Juana. Eventually the two become lovers, but is the relationship really the result of an emotional bond between 40-year-old Manuel and 17-year-old Lucía, or is it actually a recreation of the intense sexual bond between Juana and Phillipe?

Some of the book group disliked this novel, citing lack of historical references and an aversion to the character of Manuel, who could be viewed as a stereotypical "dirty old man". I personally enjoyed Belli's story. It left me with a lot of unanswered questions, especially about the relationship between Manuel and Lucía. I think what I enjoyed most about the novel is the insight into Ferdinand and Isabela and the treatment of women during the 15 and 16th centuries. I also appreciated seeing some of the events of the time from a different perspective (as opposed to Catalina's view in the Constant Princess). Belli is an acclaimed poet and novelist in her native country of Nicaragua. She was an active member of the Sandanista movement and has led a very intriguing life. She now lives in Santa Monica, California with her third husband. It has been suggested that the character of Lucía represents Belli in her youth.