by Alba Arikha
Acknowledgements
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the many who have helped bring this book to life. For their friendship, generosity and invaluable insight, Lisa Dwan, Rupert Thomson, David Sexton and Gael Camu. For her unstinting encouragement and support, my agent Caroline Michel, and the team at PFD. For making it happen, my editors Alessandro Gallenzi and Elisabetta Minervini at Alma Books. For those friends and acquaintances, old and new, who were there in spirit and more: Tim Miller, Cécile Laborde, Karine van den Abeele, Maggie Mills, my mother Anne Atik and my sister Noga Arikha. For inspiration, the Academy, the London Library and the British Library, and all the books which helped fill in the gaps – Janet Flanner’s Paris journal in particular. For their professional advice and expertise: Major Kevin Pooley and the archive at the Salvation Army; Jean Misfield, from Adoption Services for Adults; François Jobard for his gastronomic tips.
For everything that matters: my husband Tom Smail, companion and editor par excellence; this book took shape with him. And finally, for my loving children, Ascanio and Arianna: it’s been a privilege watching you grow up.