What is the relation between the creation of the astrarium and the different power struggles between the characters?
How does the astrarium influence what lies ahead? Would you say the novel supports the view that you can alter your destiny?
How do you feel about the surprise twist at the very end? A tragic loss or the fitting ending of the ultimate love story?
Acknowledgements
I am indebted to my partner, Jeremy Asher, without whose support and editorial input this book would not have been possible. I’d also like to thank the following individuals for their invaluable contributions. For geological and oil information: Tom O’Connor, Ian Francis, Jonathan Green, Mike Lakin. With regard to Egyptology, archaeology and local culture: Rosalind Park, Gae Callender, Dr Jean Yves Empereur (French Centre for Alexandrian Studies), Dr Mohamed Awad (Alexandria Preservation Trust), Dr Grzegorz Majcherek, Angus Jackson OBE, Heba Tadrios, Farida El Reedy, Victor Politis, Nino Magy, Captain Mohsen El-Gohary, Dr Emad Khalil, Mr Joe ‘Giusy’ Barda, Mrs Racheline Barda, Dr Ashraf Sabri, David Thomas, Mr M. Rashidy (Cine Egypt), Dr Zahir Hawass (Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egypt), Nina Learner, Rachel Skinner, Paul Schütze. Thanks also go to the Press Office of the Harbour of Alexandria and to the Windsor Palace Hotel and its staff. Finally, thanks to my editors, Linda Funnell, Sarah Golding, Nicola O’Shea, Lydia Papandrea; and to my agents, Rick Raftos, Julian Alexander and Catherine Drayton. Thanks to Nikola Scott and the team at Sphere and Little, Brown UK. And special thanks to Rosalind Park whose insight and feedback got me through the more esoteric aspects of the narrative.
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