I am indebted to a number of people, including the author, for their advice and assistance in the preparation of this translation. My thanks are due in particular to Nathacha Appanah, Thompson Bradley, Christopher MacLehose, Damian Nussbaum, June Elks, Pierre Sciama, Simon Strachan, Susan Strachan, and Wendy Wilson.
G. S.
March 2009