I owe a debt of gratitude to many friends and colleagues: to Clément Ribes, who first gave me the book, declaring that ‘je suis sûr qu’il te plaira’; to David Ferrière, for his unflagging friendship and insight; to Laurence Laluyaux, who always has an ace up her sleeve; to Emmie Francis, Elodie Olson-Coons, Anne Owen and the fine team at Faber & Faber for keeping us all on an even keel; and, last but not least, to Jakuta herself.