ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Neda.
Eighteen years together and you can still knock me over with a single look from across a crowded room. I know I’m an annoying idiot, but if I can be any man, I want to be yours. I promise you half of the french fries, forever.
My children.
I’m sorry I’m so weird, I’m sorryI forget whereI parked the car so often, I’m sorryI ate all your candy last night. I hope you know I’m doing my very best, being your dad. It’s my greatest adventure. I’m so proud of you.
Donkey,
our German shepherd, who drives me absolutely crazy, which probably saves me from actually going crazy.
Peter Borland,
my editor, for sticking with me through this entire project. Thanks for not giving up on me.
Libby McGuire,
for the continuous support and encouragement.
Niklas Natt och Dag,
who’s shared an office with me for sixteen years without changing the locks. I believe in you.
Vanja Vinter
and
Christine Edhäll,
for reading this book over and over (and over) when I was struggling, and helping me find my way. I’ll never forget it.
My mother
and
my father,
who always made sureI had books in my hands and food on my table.
My sister
and
Paul
and
E
and
J.
Build all the Lego. All of it.
Riad Haddouche, Junes Jaddid, Erik Edlund,
and all my other friends from the town by the sea.
David Magee,
for all the emails.
Rita Wilson,
for all the texts, all the thoughts, all the support.
Carl Stanley,
for the long walks and talks.
Johan Jureskog
and
Polly Jureskog,
for marvelous dinners in times when we really, really needed them the most.
Philip de Giorgio,
for constantly reminding me of how fucking old I am.
Alex Schulman,
for reading a very early draft of this story and giving invaluable advice.
Kim Schefler
and
Michelle Elsner,
for being much more than our attorneys. If you hadn’t stepped in when you did, I would have retired.
Håkan Rudels
at Bonnier, for being fair and honest, even in strange times.
Tor Jonasson,
without whom my career wouldn’t have been what it is.
Ariele Fredman Stewart,
who in many, many ways built the American part of it.
Everyone at Atria and Simon & Schuster, for giving me a home away from home.
Adam Dahlin
and
Håkan Bravinger
at Norstedts, for giving me a new one here at home.
Byrd Leavell, Sophie Baker,
and everyone else at United Talent Agency, for getting everything together.
Sandra Pettersson, Christoffer Carlsson, Amad Osman, Miguel Guerrero, Marcus Leifby, Jakob Kakembo Andersson,
and
Petter Eneman.
But most of all: Anyone who has read this, or any other of the stupid little detours the voices in my head have taken me on in the last ten years or so. Telling stories is the only timeI really feel like myself. Thanks for following along.