Judith Newman, our cowriter, totally got me. She worked incredibly hard to help me put into words thoughts and feelings that had been percolating for so many years. She made what might have been a difficult process a pleasure.
Peter Borland is my dream of what an editor should be. He always supported what my story meant to me and believed in having it told the way I wanted to tell it. His efforts allowed us to get it right. Special thanks to Atria’s amazing publishing team, particularly Daniel Loedel, Felice Javit, Paul Olsewski, Diana Franco, Hillary Tisman, Isolde Sauer, Jeanne Lee, Jim Thiel, Dana Sloan, Lisa Keim, and Kimberly Goldstein—all led by my publisher, Judith Curr, who has been a true champion of this book from day one.
Christy Fletcher, Melissa Chinchillo, Mink Choi, Sylvie Greenberg, Rachel Crawford, the team at Fletcher & Company. And most especially my agent, Rebecca Gradinger. Rebecca gave me great guidance; she was instrumental in bringing the book to fruition, working hand in hand with everyone at Atria, and with me. Also, thanks to Kat Likkel, who was kind enough to send me to Rebecca, and to Craig Wolff, who helped get me started.
Retired assistant district attorney Roger Gunson. We weren’t always on exactly the same side, but we never doubted his integrity and goodness. He really stood above the rest and was there when we needed him.
Marina Zenovich, who in her film Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired told a sensational story with incredible clarity and brilliance. Her film gave my mother a measure of peace and closure, and for that my gratitude is deep and unending.
All of my friends, who protect me with their loyalty and sustain me with their warmth. Dawn McMillan, whose dedication and support has shown me what friendship truly means. Duncan Scrymgeour, whose incredibly kind heart is matched only by his intellect and wit. Michele Burke, my childhood friend: we got through those difficult years together, I don’t know what I would have done without her. My friends from York who couldn’t have realized back then how much I needed them. My friends from Hughes Jr. High who welcomed me, accepted me, and helped me pretend everything was normal when my world was falling apart. And a special few who were always there to listen with support and patience so I could talk it all out: Mark Atkins, Dudley Wilson, James Jennings, Patricia Budde, Deborah Wolf, and Debbie Thorpe.
My mother, Susan Gailey, who showed me how to walk through difficult times with my head held high. My sister, Kim, and Nana who taught me the meaning of family. Robert Nesbitt, our hero. My father, John R. Gailey, Jr., who gave me the refuge of a wonderful childhood.
And most of all, my husband of twenty-five years and best friend, David, standing by my side through so much, and my incredible sons, Jesse, Alexander, and Matthew. I couldn’t have done this without their encouragement. I wouldn’t have done it without their support. And I wouldn’t be here at all without their love.
Samantha Geimer is married and has three sons. She divides her time between Hawaii and Nevada.
Front cover photograph of Samantha Geimer taken by Roman Polanski in Los Angeles, California, 1977.
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Copyright © 2013 by Samantha Geimer Afterword copyright © 2013 by Lawrence Silver All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Atria Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
The photographs of Samantha Geimer appearing on pages 52, 53, 54, 252, 253, and 255 were taken by Roman Polanski in Los Angeles on February 20 and March 10, 1977. They are reprinted here with the permission of Ms. Geimer, who holds all rights to them.
First Atria Books hardcover edition September 2013
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Designed by Dana Sloan
Jacket design by Jeanne M. Lee
Author photograph by Kathy Stanford Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Geimer, Samantha.
The girl : a life in the shadow of Roman Polanski / by Samantha Geimer and Lawrence Silver ; with Judith Newman.
pages cm
1. Geimer, Samantha. 2. Polanski, Roman—Trials, litigation, etc. 3. Rape victims—United States—Biography. 4. Sexually abused teenagers—United States—Biography. I. Title.
HV6561.G45A3 2013
362.883092dc23
[B]
2013027264
ISBN 978-1-4767-1683-1
ISBN 978-1-4767-1685-5(ebook)
CONTENTS
Epigraph
Preface
Part One
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Part Two
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Part Three
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Afterword
Acknowledgments
About Samantha Geimer
The Girl: A Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski Page 20