Hugo, Lynne and Villegas, Anna Tuttle.
Swimming Lessons. July 1998, 224 p.
Morrow, S21 (0-688-15977-X)

At a glance this novel is merely separate, stories about two unacquainted and seemingly dissimilar women, told in alternating chapters. and initially, it is. But then. slowly and effortlessly (and even a bit unexpectedly), the paths of the characters begin to cross. The novel takes on a whole now dimension to become a superb tale about the empowerment these women find through their burgeoning friendship. Trying to trace the choreography of their written to tango proves, to be a delicate matter. particularly after discovering that the authors have never met and live thousands of miles from each Other. Although one can perceive how each character be so well developed -and yet distinct one has to be owed by the liter- gymnastics required to weave the pans so gracefully. Engrossing and thoroughly enjoyable. Swimming Lessons will leave women either wishing they were blessed with such a beautiful friendship or thanking their lucky stars they are.

-Toni Hyde, Booklist, 6/1/15, 1998