The tears on Sabina's face were not round and separate like ordinary tears, but seemed to have fallen like a water veil, as if she had sunk to the bottom of the sea by the weight and dissolutions of the music. There was a complete dissolution of the eyes, features, as if she were losing her essence.

The lie detector held out his hands as if to rescue her, in a light gesture, as if this were a graceful dance of sorrow rather than the sorrow itself, and said: "In homeopathy there is a remedy called pulsatile for those who weep at music."

Seduction of the Minotaur

SEDUCTION OF THE MINOTAUR

MAIN CHARACTERS

Lillian Beye: Pianist who visits Golconda to play at the Black Pearl and to liberate herself from a dream of a boat caught in a waterless place; desires warmth and gentleness, friend of Dr. Hernandez; duped into paying for the release of an American who appears to be a prisoner. Lacks confidence in herself because her father wanted her to be a boy; returns home to her family in White Plains, bringing with her the atmosphere of Mexico. Composite character based on the passionate, aggressive side of Anaïs Nin as reflected in her friend Thurema Sokol (see Mirages).

Doctor Hernandez: Doctor and poet who lives apart from his wife; attends a party dressed as an Aztec warrior; murdered for trying to keep the illegal drug trade from expanding. Advises Lillian to address issues relating to her marriage and tries to protect her against promiscuity. Based on an actual Doctor Hernandez Nin befriended in Acapulco in 1947 (See Diary 5).

Harry Hatcher: American engineer married to a Mexican; long-time resident of Mexico who is dependent on American goods; reminds Lillian of her past. Based on man named Hatcher with whom Nin was acquainted in Acapulco in 1947 (See Diary 5).

Fred (Christmas): Chicago University student working as a translator in Mexico; eager to become a man, but fears ridicule. Based on a young man Nin referred to as “Christmas” in Acapulco in 1947 (See Diary 5).

Diana: American artist and long-time resident of Golconda; attends a party wearing a frame around her neck. Visits a Golconda dance and Doctor Hernandez’s cove; believes that Doctor Hernandez wished to be killed and that his wife did not love him. Based on Annette Nancarrow, whom Nin befriended in Acapulco in 1947.

Michael Lomax: Man who prefers men to women, has chosen not to love, and has withdrawn from the world.

Jay: Artist and newspaper proofreader with whom Lillian had a relationship in Paris; hedonist who makes Lillian into a woman but who is indifferent to his daughter. Based on Henry Miller (see Henry & June).

Djuna: Friend of Lillian; thinks that cells, freed from diseased ones, are capable of new life; believes that criminals relieve people of the desire to kill. Based on what Anaïs Nin called “the mystic Anaïs” (see Mirages).