Robert Schulman

Torman Redux Robert Schulman

"Torman Redux" follows the life and work of psychiatrist Steve Torman, whose professional and personal struggles were portrayed in the author's debut novel, "In the Land of the Blind." In this sequel, Dr. Torman leaves Bisbee, Arizona to return to Cincinnati, Ohio. Unexpected fatherhood poses challenges and attendant responsibilities that he finds himself not prepared for. A re-kindled attraction to a former patient presents another problematic challenge for him to resolve. In addition, unanticipated changes in Torman's own father's life bring about an opportunity to re-shape the nature of their relationship. Alongside these experiences in his private life, he follows two patients at a community mental health center who face the threatened loss of a child, creating emotional upheaval and uncertainty in Dr. Torman's attempts to empathize with his patients' efforts to maintain their tenuous hold on reality. As in the first novel, Torman's dog plays a supportive role, displaying empathy and love in ways his owner can only envy. Man and dog do their best to forge bonds with the significant others in their lives.