I want to thank my exacting editor, Christine Dunbar, the Russian Library’s board, and the production team at Columbia University Press for their confidence in my work, which I hope is not entirely misplaced. The advice of two anonymous peer reviewers proved invaluable. Robert Chandler, my first reader, offered insight and encouragement at every step, and Rose France, who understands Zoshchenko as well as anyone can, provided vital support near the end. I owe an immeasurable debt to Anna Glazer for, among other things, her peerless command of Soviet humor. And I save the last bow of thanks for the brilliant Jennifer Croft, who saved me from many embarrassments and, more importantly, laughed at just the right moments when reading the manuscript.