ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A writer writes alone. Alone in front of the empty page of a notebook that he hopes to fill with words that will make sense. Alone in front of a computer screen and a document that waits for his fingers to fly over the keyboard. Alone with himself as well. But the fact is that a writer is not truly alone when he sits down to write. As I sit to write these acknowledgments, memories flood back of the people who, consciously or unconsciously, were with me as I wrote. The first memories that come to mind are of the times I spent with my grandparents in Spain. They told me about their lives during the Franco years and their involuntary departure for France, and without them, I would never have had the idea to undertake this story. My parents inculcated in my sister and me a belief in our great fortune to have two cultures. I am French. I am Spanish. I don’t want to have to choose between them. For that and for everything else, gracias. I hope I will measure up and that I may pass the torch to my own children, Léa and Diego.
This book took root in my imagination several years ago. Then I had to get the project started, commit to it, and begin. Write, read, and reread. And ask others to read it too. I must mention here my two exceptional editors, two superwomen: Tiffany Gassouk and Anik Lapointe. In Paris and in Barcelona, they pushed, encouraged, and advised me. My profound thanks to both of them. I would also like to thank Véronique Cardi, director of the collection Livre de Poche, who had the courage and the excellent idea to launch “Préludes” and to make a place for my novel there.
So many other friends deserve recognition here, but I’m afraid of making a blunder and forgetting any of them. However, I cannot finish without a nod to Manu Chao for the title of the novel, of course, but for his friendship too. I hope that I did as you asked and made good use of “Mala Vida.”
Finally, and perhaps more than anybody else, two people deserve to be remembered in these pages, as they have my deepest gratitude. Paolo Bevilacqua, my friend and travel companion, who was by my side throughout the writing of this book. His enthusiasm, his encouragement, and his sense of humor every day in the offices of the magazine Alibi were invaluable to me. Thanks for putting up with me. And Sophie, my Sophie. Words fail me. You were my first reader, of course, my unconditional support, and the source of my inspiration and my motivation. Without you, I would never have succeeded. Without you, nothing is ever possible.
Mala Vida Page 18