I'm Supposed to Protect You from All This (38 page)

Thank you to my editor, Becky Saletan, whose talent and extraordinary efforts made this book possible. She illuminated my Paris apartment through late-night Skype sessions and, on top of it all, became a mentor and a friend. Thank you to Anne Fadiman, who knew what it meant to be a daughter and saw me as myself. The project began under her wing. Thank you to Rebecca Nagel for finding the perfect home for my work. Thank you to Jynne Dilling and Katie Freeman for their extraordinary promotional powers. Thank you to Karen Mayer, who took this book to heart. Thank you to Megan Lynch, who first pulled me into the Riverhead fold. And thank you to the rest of the Riverhead team—in particular Grace Han, Gretchen Achilles, Amy Ryan, Janice Kurzius, and Geoff Kloske—for all the work they have done behind the scenes.

Thank you to CJ Hauser, Snowden Wright, and Ruth Curry who, in New York, convinced me I could start writing a book. And thank you to Jacqueline Feldman, Kate Kornberg, Ian Dull, and Isidore Bethel who, in Paris, convinced me I could finish one. Thank you to Lynda Barry for the flash cards that summer. Thank you to Andrew Wylie.

Thank you to my friends, without whom I'd be lost, too many to name without forgetting one. Thank you in particular to those who sat by me while I worked: Jasmine Roudenko, who always knew when I was on the Internet, and Rosa Rankin-Gee, who made me laugh loudly in
libraries. Thank you to Yelena Moskovitch for her inspirational text messages, and to Daniel Fromson for being my writing partner when this all began. Thank you to Lindsay Nordell, who taught me how to love. Merci à Sarra Kherrat, qui m'a aimée mieux que je n'aurais su le lui demander. Thank you to all those whose lives were folded into this book and who will be impacted by its publication. Thank you in particular to my aunts, who have always extended a loving hand. I know you each have your own different versions to tell.

Thank you to my brother, who asked to appear little here but looms large in my heart. I am so grateful for you. Thank you to my father, who never meant to be the tree that cast the shade, yet in whose shade I grew. His work informs this book. His love informs everything else.

Thank you to Josée, who took a chance and loved me, and allowed me to fall in love with her in return. She is much more than a character in a story. I am so grateful for the sharp, witty, caring woman I came to know, and more grateful still that she happened to be my grandmother. I will carry the moments we shared forever. I hope there are many still to come.

And thank you, more than thank you, more than words, to my mother, who gave of herself without reserve. I know that there is still so much of you I do not know, and that you will never be fully captured by my writing. But the more I learn about you, the more I love you. You never asked to be admired by me but, at the risk of sounding like a second-grader, you are my role model and my hero. And
regardes
, Maman. I can fly.

Nadja Spiegelman
grew up in New York City and now divides her time between Paris and Brooklyn.

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Nadja Mouly Spiegelman. Born 5/13/87.

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