Tan oscura.

• Author: Mujica, Barbara
• Position: Review

Tan oscura, by Agustin Cadena. Mexico City: Joaquin Mortiz, 1999.

Tan oscura is the story of an obsession. Mexican author Agustin Cadena is fascinated by how sexual passion leads to compulsive, destructive behavior while co-existing with and even nurturing the most sublime human aspirations.

Gregorio Montero and Bodo are desperately in love with the same woman. Montero, a middle-aged artist who inhabits a dark, psychotic world, is obsessed with Julia, his model, to the point of madness. Bodo, a university student who is two years Julia's junior, dissolves into tears at the thought that she might leave him. For Julia, there is no problem. She loves both men and has no intention of abandoning either one.

Terrified that Julia will move in with Montero, Bodo proposes a menage a trois. After some vacillation Julia agrees, but sets the ground rules: The three will live together, but sleep in separate beds, and Bodo will clean Montero's filthy apartment. She, Julia, will be free to choose with whom she has sex...