In Strangers' Arms

Discovering tango has both changed and enriched my life in ways I never would have imagined. At least until I read “In Strange’s Arms.” Then I knew that I was not alone in this experience. Some may think tango has become an obsession for me, but I’m not alone in this either and I can think of no other obsession which could teach me so much. It is difficult sometimes to express what one feels so strongly that words seem inadequate, yet I’ve tried to do so in the rest of this review. However, I will also say that everything I’ve felt about tango, Beatriz Dujovne has given words to beautifully.

Tango has taught me more about being in the moment than years of studying about how to do so and years of meditating. My meditation experience has deepened; my relationships have reached a new level of balance; my emotions have found a healthy way of being expressed; my sense of being connected to others and community is fuller.

In many ways I’ve felt I didn’t fit comfortably into my own culture. The descriptions in this book were so detailed and so clear about what defines the culture of Buenos Aires: the exchange of playfulness in words between people – waiters and customers, friends, cab drivers; the physical warmth between people of greeting each other with hugs and/or a kiss; reaching over to touch someone’s arm while talking; being present in each moment to fully enjoy that time, that person, rather than rushing on to the next thing – that I felt like I was reading about a place I’d always known, but hadn’t yet found. Since reading In Stanger’s Arms, each time I dance tango it’s like experiencing a little bit of Buenos Aires. I told a friend of mine who is originally from Buenos Aires, about this wonderful book. He bought a copy and read it as well. We each felt deeply that it enriched the tango experience for us both, although for very different reasons.

Whether or not you dance tango, this book is a fascinating read about the history and culture of tango and about the people and culture who gave birth to the music, the poetry of the lyrics and the beautiful dance. This book is as magical as tango itself.