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.