Thanks to my editor, Jonathan Galassi, for his subtlety and intuition; to my first readers: Cindy Tolan, Julia Bolus, Mary Ellen Peebles, Michael Blake, and Honor Moore, for their honesty and time; to my stalwart friend and agent, Sarah Chalfant; to David Turnley for lending me his experience; to Jane and Tom Doyle for getting lost with me; to Robert Miller for his memories; to the Jesuit Brothers of New Jersey for their kind help; to the Galway Literary Festival for giving me a chance to present Pippa to an audience; to Claire Hardin, Kate Brady, Charissa Shearer, Emma Wilkinson, and Angela Trento for giving me the peace of mind to write; to Ronan and Cashel, for the lines, and all they’ve taught me; to my mother and father.