One can never acknowledge all the exchanges and encounters that find their way into the rich loam from which a novel grows. I’m grateful for all who shared their experience and understanding of the spiritual path.
Among the many books that aided me, I’m especially thankful for A Sufi Rule for Novices, translated and edited by Menahem Milson; The Adventures of Ibn Battuta by Ross E. Dunn; A Dervish Textbook, from the ‘Awarfu-i-Ma’arif of Sheikh Shahabuddin Suhrawardi, translated by Lieutenant Colonel H. Wilberforce Clarke; Essential Sufism, edited by James Fadiman and Robert Frager; Daily Life in the Medieval Islamic World by James E. Lindsey; Divine Governance of the Human Kingdom by Ibn ‘Arabi, translated by al-Jerrahi al-Halveti; The Sufis by Idries Shah; Islam by Karen Armstrong; Sufis of Andalusia by lbn ‘Arabi; and Islamic Art and Spirituality by Seyyed Hossein Nasr. Most of all, a deep bow to the great Sufi poets, whose beautiful light still dazzles.
I cannot imagine a more wonderful editor than Will Schwalbe. His passion for the book, from the first reading through the various stages of publication, and his warm friendship have been a blessing. Likewise, I could not have had a better team than the one at Picador: my publisher, Stephen Morrison, who is smart and kind and elegant; Emily Mahon and Henry Sene Yee, whose cover design is magical; Kolt Beringer, Emily Walters, and Kim Lewis, who went over the manuscript with a fine-tooth comb; Shannon Donnelly, James Meader, and Darin Keesler, who put their hearts into the marketing; Cassie Mandel and Isabella Alimonti for their media wizardry; and Bryn Clark and Kara Rota, whose intelligence and grace helped make the process a joy.
Every writer should be so lucky to have an agent like Gail Hochman; her huge heart and lightning mind are fantastic allies. Thanks also to Marianne Merola, Jody Klein, Lina Granada, Jody Kahn, and all the other folks at Brandt and Hochman.
For inspiration, courage, and love, I thank my son, Joshua. For a lifetime of unconditional love, I thank my mother. For her warm support, I thank my sister. For lessons in how to bring humor to life’s struggles, I thank my father and my stepfather, both of whom are deeply missed.
To the many friends who have sustained me over the years, who have shared their stories and listened to mine, who have comforted me, taught me, and helped me to keep on, I’m forever indebted. A special thanks to Jean Taylor, Thomas Fenn, Jo Anna Mortensen, Mari Reeves, Elizabeth Blake, Jeanne Chapman, Brigid Moran, Daniel Labensohn, and Gwendolyn Marks for being the first to read, and for offering their loving encouragement.
There are no words to thank my teacher, Robert Burton, for he has taught me how to go beyond words. His love and unwavering insistence on what is true have changed my life.