I'm not sure specifically which 'Monique' this refers to. There could be many people named Monique. Without more context, it's difficult to tell the stories about her secret spa or details related to her as a wife.
One of his best novels is 'The Death of Artemio Cruz'. It's a complex exploration of power, memory, and the human condition. Fuentes delves into the life of Artemio Cruz, a powerful figure, through different points in time, showing his rise and fall and the moral and ethical implications of his actions.
I'm not sure specifically what stories are there as it's not a very common or widely known topic. It could be that the spa has some unique experiences that are related to Monique's wife, perhaps something like how she influenced the spa's design or certain special treatments they developed together.
I'm not entirely sure as I haven't read it yet. But generally, it might involve a character or characters facing some sort of time - related challenges. Maybe they are running out of time to achieve a goal, or perhaps there are some time - travel elements that disrupt their normal lives.
History is another important theme. Fuentes often incorporates historical events and periods into his novels, showing how they shape the present. For example, in 'Terra Nostra', he explores different historical epochs and how they interconnect. He also examines power dynamics in his novels. The way characters gain, lose, or abuse power is a recurring motif. This can be seen in works like 'The Death of Artemio Cruz' where the protagonist's journey through power is a central aspect of the story.
Carlos Fuentes' best novels tend to be very rich in themes. They often touch on topics like power, history, love, and the search for identity. In 'Aura', for instance, there is an exploration of the relationship between the past and the present through the characters' experiences.