by Jake Halpern
To Katherine Perkins—Perkins!—assistant editor and Ari’s muse, thank you for your creativity and for being part of this incredibly impressive Putnam team.
Penguin’s competitive advantage became crystal clear when we met with the marketing and publicity groups. The marketing group’s intellect, passion, and energy made our day, thanks to Emily Romero, Erin Berger, Lisa Kelly, Anna Jarzab, Rachel Cone-Gorham, Leah Schiano, and Carmela Iaria. To our publicity gurus, Lindsay Boggs and Shanta Newlin, we owe HUGE thanks. Your enthusiasm encouraged us to double down. To designer Kristin Smith, who created our cover, we couldn’t have imagined a better introduction to the feeling we wanted the book to evoke. . . . To art director Cecilia Yung and map creator Martin Sanders, thank you for turning our awkward scribbles into something beautiful.
After spending some time with Penguin executives, it’s clear how fortunate we are to be with this incredible group. Their leadership, intelligence, and passion are a wonder to behold. Don Weisberg, Felicia Frazier and Jen Loja are the best in the business—and we’re hoping to work with them for years to come.
Peter: To my mom, Jo Kujawinski, your strength and laughter keep me going. To my dad, Frank Kujawinski, thank you for teaching me how to write—I miss you. To my brother, Dan Kujawinski, you teach me how to live. To my sister, Liza Kujawinski-Behn, you’re the ultimate role model. And to my mother-in-law, Arlene Weinsier, thank you for your encouragement and your talent with the camera. Nightfall is dedicated to my children, Blaze, Alina, and Sylvie, who fill my life with the purest joy imaginable. To my wife, Nancy Celia Rose, from that moment decades ago when you entered my life, you have been my everything.
Jake: To my sons, Sebastian and Lucian, this book is for you. Someday, I hope you will take it off the shelf, dust it off, read these words, and remember just how dearly your father loved and loves you. Special thanks goes to my mother, Tamar Halpern, for her endless devotion and encouragement on this book. I am also grateful to a number of other friends and family members, including Stephen Halpern, Betty Stanton, Paul Zuydhoek, Barbara Lipska, Mirek Gorski, Greg Halpern, Ahndraya Parlato, Roya Reese, Lila Kleppner, Brian Groh, Brad Collins, and Emily Bazelon. I am also indebted to Aaron Poach, Amanda Zapatka, and Ralphie Sylvester for keeping me fit and sane. Finally, to my wife, Kasia, thank you for reminding me in so many ways that I must always “Hold on to what you believe in the light / When the darkness has robbed you of all your sight.”
MUSIC FROM BLISS
“Hand over Hand” is a traditional climbing tune sung by the men and women of Bliss as they traverse the cliffs. It is usually begun by the lead climber, and is continued by those sharing the same rope line. The words on this sheet music are the basic text, but there are countless variations among the many towns in the northern islands.
“The Other Side of Me” is a ballad meant to evoke Marin’s and Kana’s thoughts as circumstances begin to push them apart.
A recording of both songs can be found at www.celiarosemusic.com.
Visit http://bit.ly/1hZzAMi for a printable version of this sheet music.
Looking for more?
Visit Penguin.com for more about this author and a complete list of their books.
Discover your next great read!