10 Hidden Facts of “Tango, an Argentine Love Story”

Secrets of Tango, an Argentine Love Story by Camille Cusumano

Cover design –  Susan Koski Zucker; author photo, Marvin Parker

1. Did I really decide to stay in Buenos Aires after only a couple of days there? I am often asked. The answer is an unequivocal yes. I had nothing to lose—not even my return plane ticket, which was good for a year.

2. The book’s last chapter is not the original one I wrote—it’s much better, thanks to prodding from my editor. The first version was heavy on reportage and commentary. With the prodding, I came forth with the real story . . . thanks be to Editors! Also, the book’s earlier titles were Tantric Tango, Tango Rapture, and Sex, Lies, and Tango. Thanks be to the sales force who pushed for another title—I’m very pleased with the one we have–especially to have “love” in the title.

3. I didn’t love tango from the beginning (as I state in the book), but the Zen-Tango connection was strong for me from the start of my taking tango classes. Still, I had no inkling I’d write about it. The more I wrote about it, the stronger and clearer it became, and deeper its influence went. Stillness precedes wisdom and Writing precedes consciousness.

4. To answer another FAQ, No, I had no idea or intention to write a book when I arrived in Buenos Aires. In fact, I thought, the way I felt, I would never write again–I’d find a new livelihood (this was actually the second time in my life I have felt that way). I did push myself to outline an anthology–suggested by Seal Publisher Krista Lyons-Gould–with stories of spiritual transformation by women. The collection would contain an essay by me, about how tango wrecked (and at the time I hoped would fix) my life. Around March, ’07, Seal wrote back, that my essay was THE book. That made my muse perk up.

5. My whole book was drafted by July, 2007—that is, “written”–before I signed a contract with Seal. I acted as my own agent. From start to finish, drafting, editing, revising, took nine months (a normal pregnancy).

6. Parallels between TAALS and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love will inevitably be made. I had never heard of EPL until after I had drafted my entire book. My sister, Grace, gave a copy of EPL, which I didn’t open for a long time. Like most writers, I didn’t want to be distracted from my own work. I read EPL in September, 07 and, despite about 15 years age difference, I marvelled at some of the parallels: her “other” man is David (mine was Dave); she was a travel writer, didn’t want kids/marriage so much as love and freedom and intimacy; spirituality: her yoga was like my Zen (as well as yoga and tango). Her ashram was my milonga or dance hall. And the differences are noteworthy: She was the self-proclaimed “white” sheep in a small WASP family; I am the black sheep in a big “Catho-holic” Sicilian family. Her father was nothing like mine–but then most fathers aren’t. Her mother was not like mine. Her journey was financed by a big advance; mine by a (broken) wing and a prayer–and the kindness of strangers. I liked her book–especially for the differences and her honesty and baring of self.

7.Speaking of money–I lived on very little, mostly on “cash [and] economy.” I never once worried about money. Miraculously, my bank account kept its homeostasis. Just as it was going low, moderate royalty checks I didn’t expect would appear, payment for a writing contest I had forgotten about came, and such.

8. Although TAALS ends on my one-year anniversary, I actually stayed in Buenos Aires for a year-and-a-half. I wanted to end the book at one year because the contrast from the day I arrived to then, was (and still is) astounding. But a sequel is brewing, incubating . . . stay tuned. I’m thinking of Strictly Tango, Strictly Zen . . . and more on Tango Fever. . .

9. TAALS “characters” Oscar, Carmen, Flo, Rachel, Jan, Lynn, Alison, Eduardo, Lina, Marcela, Pato, and a few others all got to read the final version of their chapters before publication—not so much for approval, but to not be surprised when the book appeared. All were grateful and only a few requests for tiny changes were made: like changing “expat” to “immigrant” or changing “bastardo” to “right winger” in a certain quote on a certain dead statesman.

10. This book, as much as tango, and living in South America taught me to live in the present in a way I never have before. Back in the States now, when I forget to be present (it’s a constant conscious decision) I just recall the feeling of the tango embrace, of writing these words. Of Gracias!