The following is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and locations in this book are not meant in any way to represent any actual persons, events, and locations. Though I’ve used some historical circumstances and actual place names, the depictions of places, people, and events are entirely fictional. Still, this book would not have been possible without the influence of certain persons and places whose stories have touched me, and for whom I would like here to express deepest respect and gratitude: my aunt and cousins in Saigon; my aunts, uncles, and cousins in California; my birth father, Vu Qud£ Châu, and his family; too many Hangtown friends and mentors to name; my sister, Nina, my brother, Tony, and, most especially, my mother, Thai, and my father, Palle. My thanks also, of course, to Dave and Lincoln.
I am grateful to my mother also for her help with many, many research details, and to Ta Quang Khôi for his translation of the verse in “Passenger.”
For their generous support and/or guidance along the way, I would like to acknowledge the Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship in Fine Arts Program, the James Michener-Paul Engle Fellowship Program, the Texas League of Writers, the Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, James McPherson, Marilynne Robinson, Kyung Cho, and Heidi Pitlor.