Sor Juana's Second Dream

The story of Mexico's Sor Juana In s de la Cruz (1648-1695)--one of the great thinkers and poets of the 17th century and an iconic figure in women's history--has been much told in academic circles. In her intelligent, thoroughly researched novel, Gaspar de Alba goes beyond established fact and paints a fictionalized, sometimes controversial portrait. In 17th-century Mexico, women either married or became nuns, but they were not educated, nor were they thought to have souls. Sor Juana, a prodigy of erudition from an early age, chose the veil, not because she felt a calling, but because marriage was even more unthinkable. Defying the Inquisition and the profoundly patriarchal world she lived in, she wrote and read prolifically and publicly until she was threatened into silence by the Church hierarchy. She then renounced her ""worldly"" ways and completely surrendered to religion, ceasing all writing and communication with the outside world. As Gaspar de Alba tells it, Sor Juana was not only a woman who questioned a patriarchal and superstitious society, but also a lesbian. She makes a convincing case by juxtaposing the nun's own poetry with actual events and fictional journal entries. Commendably, Sor Juana's flaws are not glossed over; she is portrayed as vain, prejudiced and difficult. This work of fine scholarship and vision should increase awareness of a compelling historical figure. (Aug.)