The Book of V.: A Novel(78)

To Lindsay McCune, for all the care you give my children while I work.

Thank you to Julie Barer, whose faith that I could pull off this book kept me from losing mine and whose steady counsel, unwavering reason, and warm voice on the phone help keep my lights on. Also, you are one fine editor. Nicole Cunningham, thank you for all your work; keep dancing.

Thank you to Serena Jones, who embraced this book with open arms and then pushed me to make it a hell of a lot better—your edits and emails bring me joy. To Ben Schrank, whose belief in and care with my story meant the world. To copyeditor Molly Lindley Pisani, who masterfully slayed my commas and left smiley faces in their wake. And to everyone at Henry Holt for welcoming me so quickly and securely into your fold and putting your hearts and expertise into bringing the world to The Book of V., including Marian Brown, Amy Einhorn, Pat Eisemann, Maddie Jones, Jason Liebman, Carolyn O’Keefe, Caitlin O’Shaughnessy, Maggie Richards, and Jessica Wiener.

Thank you to my grandmother, Rose Greenbaum, née Genzuk, who gave me a sew-on-the-go kit that has turned out to be of great practical and imaginative use in my life. And to my mother, Ellen Solomon, who did in fact hang a sampler on the back of our bathroom door declaring A Well-Kept House Is a Sign of an Ill-Spent Life, and who was my first writing teacher.

Finally, thank you to Sylvie and Sam for asking tough questions. And to Mike, for cooking me breakfast and keeping me company.