The writing of such a novel is possible only because of the generosity of the following people who have been willing to share with me their knowledge and skills: the witty encouragement and wholehearted support from my agent, Wendy Schmalz; the insightful commentary and literary skills of Pam Gruber, who guided me so adeptly through the editing process; my brother-in-law Dr. Marius Swart, who provided me with all the necessary medical information regarding debridement and wound care; my Zimbabwean reader, Ruvi Mubika, who ensured that all my details of Zimbabwean life were plausible and accurate; my teenage daughters and niece, Ellen-Anne, Emma, and Camilla, who taught me how to Mxit and helped me write the text messages; Miranda Madikane for giving me access to her lovely, helpful staff at the Scalabrini Centre for refugees in Cape Town; my oldest friend and critic, Amy Kaplan, for her unique ability to turn my straw prose into gold and to provide emergency support at all hours of the day; my wife, Ettie, for her words of wisdom and infinite patience with me, and the uncanny ability she has of knowing exactly what I’m trying to say when I don’t.
I would also like to acknowledge the vision of seer Credo Mutwa, for his retelling of the great Ndebele story “The Tree of Life and the Goddess,” and ask his indulgence for the liberties I took with this old story. And finally I’d like to thank Madolyn Bouchard, from North Hampton School in New Hampshire, who wrote me the letter that inspired the writing of this novel.