Night Film(202)

To Paolo Pepe, Barbara Bachman, and Simon M. Sullivan—I am so grateful for your willingness to push book design in a new direction. You put together a stunning package that even Cordova would approve of.

Many thanks to my digital team, the tech prophets Ken Wohlrob and Matt Schwartz—you help me to push the envelope and reimagine what’s possible.

Laura Goldin—thank you for taking the time from your hectic schedule to be my advocate.

Thank you to Richard Elman, Benjamin Dreyer, and Lisa Feuer, who somehow made the production of this book happen on time and ahead of schedule.

Thank you to the stellar copy editor Amy Brosey and a huge thank you to Loren Noveck, whose Mensa-level Sherlock Holmes–like powers of deduction were amazing and invaluable. (They could use you at the C.I.A.)

Thank you to Jocasta Hamilton and the rest of the team at Hutchinson in London for their support, enthusiasm, and the House of Wolf.

Cordova’s world never would have come to life with such dark vibrancy if it weren’t for the inimitable Tristan Woods-Scawen, whose enthusiasm, wild creativity, and outstanding art direction for the illustrations transcended time zones and exploded expectations. Cordova never would have stepped out of the shadows without you. I’m indebted to the entire team of visionaries at Kennedy Monk: Stuart Monk, Bruce Kennedy, Jolyon Meldrum, Steven Harrison, Colin Taylor, Charlotte Kelly, and Michelle Thomas. It was a joy to work with you.

Thank you to my beautiful characters who have faces that whisper questions and glances that sear the brain: Sophie Blackbrough, Seb Castang, Verona Edo, Samantha Englebrecht, and Steven Harrison. I couldn’t have come up with a more mesmerizing cast if I’d invented you myself.

Thank you to the photographer, Paul Archer, who made art out of evidence. Much gratitude to Lucy Flower, David Wadlow, and Lisa Jahovic, whose attention to detail made every photo look timely, rich, and real.

A host of medical experts were generous enough to take time out of their busy days to answer my questions: Lawrence Levin, M.D., one of the most caring and insightful physicians in New York City, and Leonard H. Wexler, M.D., who educated and humbled me with the incredible work he does for children.

An eternal thank you to my assistant and right-hand man, Seth D. Rabinowitz. You’re my trusted confidant and partner-in-crime.

Thank you to my beloved family, friends, and other compatriots who contributed to this book in ways great and greater: James Rosow, Robert Strent, Nicole Caruso, Adam Weber (your twenty-two hours incarcerated in Brooklyn Central Booking was worth it for the Tombs), Nic Caiano, Noriel Abdon, Josh Thomas, Elke Pessl, and Don Marvel.

I will forever be grateful to my amazing mom and first reader, Anne, who teaches me that the true meaning of success is someone who leaves much love and light in her wake. So often you know what I’m trying to say before I do.

Finally I want to thank my late grandmother, Ruth, who lived with true grace. Her favorite quote was “The day shall not be up so soon as I / To try the fair adventure of to-morrow.”

Let’s keep living it.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Marisha Pessl grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, and now lives in New York City. Special Topics in Calamity Physics, her debut novel, was a best seller in both hardcover and paperback. It won the 2006 John Sargent Sr. First Novel Prize (now the Center for Fiction’s Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize), and was selected as one of the 10 Best Books of the Year by The New York Times Book Review.

www.marishapessl.com