Synopses & Reviews
Octavio Ribeiro is a rising movie star in Chile when, at the request of his literary hero, Pablo Neruda, he agrees to serve as a media trainer in the presidential campaign of Salvador Allende. This involvement exposes Octavio and his family -- especially his wife, Salome -- to the ruthless kidnapping and terror tactics of Allende's rival, Pinochet, until they escape to political exile in Sweden.
Kaija and her husband, Dr. Samuel Rudin, are also living as expatriates in Sweden. Rudin, a psychiatrist, specializes in treating people like Salome who have been traumatized by war and political upheaval. As the couples' destinies intersect, they must each confront the secrets they have kept and acknowledge the painful truth that personal choices can result in tragic, irrevocable consequences.
Richman deftly explores the complex landscape of lives shaped by political events beyond their control in a deeply moving and beautifully rendered second novel. From the author of the critically acclaimed The Mask Carver's Son comes Swedish Tango, a powerful story of two couples from opposite ends of the earth who seek refuge in Sweden, where their lives intertwine in a poignant dance with destiny.
Review
"[A]n ambitious exploration of political and personal struggles."
-- Publishers Weekly
Review
"With the sensibility of a poet and the literary scope of a master, Richman sweeps across decades and continents to put a human face on the tragedy of war."
-- Louisa Ermelino, author of The Sisters Mallone
Review
"[A] story of marriage and unfaithfulness...both entertaining and profound."
-- Politiken (Denmark)
Review
"[E]legant and deftly crafted....Richman has done a masterful job of pacing that reads much like a tango...gathering force and tempo that takes hold of the reader and doesn't let go."
-- Mim Eichler Rivas, coauthor of Finding Fish with Antwone Fisher
Review
Praise for The Rhythm of Memory "An engrossing examination of the prisons people create for themselves...an ambitious exploration of political and personal struggles."—Publishers Weekly
"A heart-wrenching story of loss and love."—Library Journal
Praise for The Lost Wife
"A truly beautiful heartfelt story...I couldn't put it down once I started it. Ms. Richman is a very special talent."—New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah
"Staggeringly evocative, romantic, heartrending, sensual, and beautifully written...the Sophie's Choice of this generation."—New York Times bestselling author John Lescroat
"Daringly constructed."—Two-time Emmy Award-winning screenwriter Loring Mandel
"Tense, emotional and fulfilling."—NBC News Special Correspondent and Jewish National Book Award winner Martin Fletcher
Synopsis
Octavio Ribeiro is a rising movie star in Chile when, at the request of famed poet Pablo Neruda, he agrees to serve as a media trainer in the presidential campaign of Salvador Allende. This involvement exposes Octavio and his family -- especially his wife, Salomé -- to the ruthless kidnapping and terror tactics of Allende's political rival, General Augusto Pinochet...until they escape to political exile in Sweden, where another couple -- Samuel and Kaija Rudin -- are also living as expatriates.
Dr. Rudin is a psychiatrist specializing in treating people who, like Salomé, have been traumatized by the events of war and upheaval. As the Rudins and Ribeiros dance with destiny, each family must confront the secrets they have kept from one another -- and face the personal consequences of their political choices. Rich with historical detail, and written in shimmering prose, Swedish Tango is an epic tale of two cultures that no reader will soon forget.
Synopsis
In this sweeping epic, true love transcends the brutality of war.
Octavio Ribeiro loves truth, beauty, literature, and above all else, his wife Salomé. As a student in Chile, he courted her with the words of great poets, and she fell in love with his fierce intelligence and uncompromising passion. Then a sudden coup brings a brutal military dictatorship into power, and puts anyone who resists in grave danger.
Salomé begs Octavio to put his family’s safety first, rather than speak against the new regime. When he refuses, it’s Salomé who pays the price.
Belatedly awake to the reality of their danger, Octavio finds political asylum for the family in Sweden. But for Salomé, the path back to love is fraught with painful secrets, and the knowledge that they can never go home again.
Previously published as Swedish Tango
About the Author
Alyson Richman graduated from Wellesley College in 1994. The acclaimed author of The Mask Carver's Son, she lives in Long Island, New York, with her family.