The Shrouded Woman was the most enjoyable and reflective novel for me to read so far. The main character, Ana-Maria, is dead due to disease, but she amazingly still sees everything around her. She lies in her casket and sees people come to see her (for the last time), who once gave her sorrow and joy, provided her with the reflection on her vistaless marriages, the illusion of flawless love, and unpacked the secret of love and entanglement after death. 

This book is unique in that it is told from the first-person perspective of a woman who has passed away and looks back at points in her life. At the same time, there seems to have been a third human voice guiding her subjectively. This may have been her inner voice, or it may have belonged to spiritual guidance. The biggest feelings I got from this book were SORROW and REGRET, and that’s probably why Ana Maria was able to see everything that happened even after she died, to seek acceptance. Death acceptance requires finding personal meaning, and the source of meaning can come from life review, which is the return of memories and past conflicts.

“The woman in the shroud did not feel the slightest desire to rise again; she would at last be able to rest, to die.” (p. 259) Perhaps “God” also recognizes her tragic life, and this may allow her to let go of her regrets and die in peace.

“Why, oh why must a woman’s nature be such that a man has always been the pivot of her life?” (226) For me, Ana’s life is pathetic because she had always been trapped in tedious relationships with various men. Ricardo, for example, seemed to cause Ana to be emotionally “dead” at an early age. Ricardo’s departure tore Ana-Maria’s heart. Ironically, however, when Ricardo visits Ana Maria after she is dead, she realizes that Ricardo might never have completely emotionally left her. As Ana questions, “Must we die to know certain things?” (176). It’s a philosophical question; when people die, they leave behind all the hate and resentment, which allows them to see from a new perspective. If Ana was still alive, would still have the same reflections if she realized Ricardo had never left her entirely? Or do regrets and forgiveness come only after the end of life? Similarly, another tragedy is her relationship with Antonio. Her whole life is dedicated to pleasing him, but he never seems to love her. 

One question I have is about the deaths of women in this novel. In addition to Ana’s death, the deaths of the two other women in the story are also tragic. Silvia and Inés, who also died by suicide, symbolize despair toward life. I wonder how the reflection on life would have been different if Ana had chosen suicide rather than dying of sickness. Would she have been more regretful about herself and Ricardo, or more proud of her bravery and autonomy?