Lyliane Lavilgrand, an ex-teacher in the field of childhood maladjustment, is the author of this original and innovative novel: Le Village des Vagins.  Born and raised in Saint-Denis, this woman with an extraordinary personality initially reveals in her second novel, a subjective vision which turns out to be a general overview of the attitude of women in the twenty one century.  Le Village des Vagins also known as Tingy Tanana in Malagasy is the story of a dreamt and wistful life of all women.  Lyliane Lavilgrand confides...       

 "The psychological independence of a woman also goes through her financial independence," explains Lyliane Lavilgrand...The tone is set.  Le Village des Vagins do not let men off lightly, but especially provides a hope for an interior renaissance for women.  Some may notice the advent of a feminist movement; others may find the beginnings of a life where equality and parity will prevail in the proper sense.  "This book does not depict the domestic violence but simply the long term effects of a society where man believes to predominate."      

The first novel of Lyliane Lavilgrand, "Père-Ver" already tried to highlight the implicit issue of the inequality of gender experienced by this cumbersome and eternal male domination.  It's an issue that is constantly changing because of the attitudes, mass media, tradition and especially education.  According to the novelist, the chauvinist society does not have to face any daily resistance: "The men open up their way and the women adapt."  It's a forced relationship, a continuous struggle to impose a different psychology where two fundamentally different beings relentlessly confront each other.  It's a major issue and there is a long way to go.  Le Village des Vagins intercedes when the woman asks herself about her past, present and future, her womanly condition along with the changes she would like to bring.  No "male" in sight, only to plunge ones back into an original and reassuring universe of the softness of women.  "Who is better placed than a woman to understand another woman?" suggests Liliane Lavilgrand confidently and with determination.                      

This novel portrays a different human relationship approach to make up for all wrongdoings made against women for decades already.  Rather from imploring a new image, instead the Woman wants to impose what she deserves.  Lyliane Lavilgrand does not intend to change this dreadful misunderstanding.  The task is far too laborious for a single woman.  She simply dedicates her personal experience to the other women so that they gain the necessary strength for a reversal of situation.  Le Village des Vagins is not the book of one woman.  Its outcome inevitably goes through the sharing of experiences and feelings that one day at last, "the male will not always precede the woman."             

Béatrice Gonthier
October 2007