pierced doll

In this sentence life is compared to a pierced doll. Perhaps the author is referring to a voodo doll. I bet it sounds strange in English. Can you please help me make it clearer if necessary?It refers to a man who is in love with his mistress, and has to pretend that nothing is happening in front of his wife.

 Like a surrealist, you will automatically note your shopping list, instead of a shortening you will buy a paste, instead of the water, mineral water. Like a heretic, you will act counter-clockwise, all for the purposes of keeping this doll called life, that you yourself pierced.

What would be more adequate expression for ''fake life''?

I do not see a connection to voodoo here. Maybe it is more a metaphor related to childhood rather than African magic. The "doll called life" is like an object that you like, love and should care for -- and you have damaged it yourself and want to cling to it anyway. Or the piercing might relate to hurting the doll, causing pain to the doll, while at the same time holding it dear and close.

(By the way, I would use "purpose" in singular.)

Also I do not understand the "heretic" part. Maybe we have different images of heretics, but here they are opposed to the church and tend to have more grasp on real life or say things without restrictions by what is expected or accepted.A heretic might say the objective truth or his deviating opinion and not blindly accept the teachings of the church or figuratively that of other "powers that be", e.g. his company's policy. However, maybe this is very dependent on nation and situation -- I am curious how others think about heretics.

Kajjo

I don't know why ''heretic'' either, the meaning of heretic in your country is more or less similar to our idea of a heretic. Perhaps, it is viewed more derrogative here, in my country. Like somebody who ought to respect standard norms (sanctity of marriage) but he does not. He is in love with another woman, and he is confused and does everything wrong. I think this similie is ironic, the author compares/identifies confused behaviour of a cheater (who only thinks about his extra-marital love encounters even when he is with his wife) with  that of a heretic who does and says everything different from what he is supposed to say and do (like this confused husband).

As of ''pierced doll' I think Pieanne might be right. Do you suggest I leave it as it is?

Thank you all. 

Can you perhaps, suggest a better metaphore meaning ''a charade that you yourself ruined". It relates to pretending to be in a marriage and love your wife, but actually cheating on her.   

Hi Alan. Yes, I am still struggling with it. Funny, but I chose this text myself. I thought it was interesting. I don't have to stick with the original that much. The most important thing is to make it 'readable'.