Book Description
CARLOS GARDEL "VOLVER" ("To Return") The Carlos Gardel story is told in 29 colorful chapters that are like scenes in a period movie set in the era of tango 1900-1935 in Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, and New York. It is dedicated to Carlos Gardel, "El Zorzal" (The Songbird of Buenos Aires) who for many of his admirers has become an almost quixotic obsession and who, to this day, is a charismatic hero as popular in Argentina as Evita Peron or Jesus. Out of poverty stricken, immigrant existence Carlos Gardel, the poor "Morocho Del Abasto" (Dark-Eyed Kid from Abasto) became South America's most charismatic interpreter of the tango-cancion, a wildly popular film star, and was crowned the Tango King in Paris in 1930. He was chosen to replace Rudolf Valentino for Paramount when he tragically died in a plane crash in Medellin, Colombia, 1935. This page turning, historic novel gives us new and sensational insight answering the many puzzling questions about the life of Gardel, his motivations, and his music. For example, why and how did the plane crash happen? His liaisons with women? His life long friendship with men? His role in creating the tango-cancion? His involvement with a rich older woman who financed his films? His acting career? And the tragic end as the words of the tangos "Volver" and "Mi Buenos Aires Querido" are fatefully fulfilled as the beloved Carlitos, after the plane crash, returns home to Buenos Aires in a coffin, and more than thirty thousand are in the streets during his funeral. "Mi Buenos Aires querido, cuando yo te vuelva a ver, no habra mas penas ni olvido." (My beloved Buenos Aires when I see you again I will feel no more pain or oblivion.) The riveting account of the life and death of the elusive Gardel is based on countless hours of research. The book also contains more than 30 translations of the most important tango-canciones, from lunfardo (slang of Buenos Aires), which are key to understanding the times and the milieu that created Tango Argentina and the tango-cancion. "It will snow in Buenos Aires before another Gardel is found!" "Cada dia canta mejor!"
