Jaroslav Kalfař - Spaceman of Bohemia

Ben George, an incredible editor and friend, who’s given this book more than I could ever ask for. Everyone at Little, Brown for giving Spaceman such a welcoming home, especially Sabrina Callahan, Reagan Arthur, Sarah Haugen, Nicole Dewey, Alyssa Persons, Ben Allen, and Tracy Williams.

Drummond Moir, for his brilliant editorial insight and for bringing Spaceman to the UK. Everyone at Sceptre, especially Carolyn Mays, Francine Toon, and Caitriona Horne.

Marya Spence, agent superhero with endless powers, remarkable human and friend, fellow appreciator of strange foods. Everyone at Janklow & Nesbit, superhero central.

All of the brilliant writers and mentors I have had the pleasure of encountering through the years, especially Darin Strauss, JSF, Rick Moody, and Dr. Darlin’ Neal.

Everyone at the NYU Lillian Vernon Writers House—what you do to foster future literary voices is imperative. We owe you so much. The Goldwater Writing Project for making the writing of this book possible and for enabling me to meet the talented, extraordinary residents of the Goldwater Hospital. I think of them and their writing every day.

The friends and colleagues who have kept me sane, provided wise notes, shared in alcohol and food and anxiety—especially Christy and Scott, Adam, Emily, Bryn, Peng, Tess. All of my friends in the Czech Republic, the United States, and in between who make this Earth a magnificent place.

Most importantly, I’d like to thank all readers of books, for keeping the conversation alive across centuries.

Jaroslav Kalfař was born and raised in Prague, Czech Republic, and immigrated to the United States at the age of fifteen. He earned an MFA at New York University, where he was a Goldwater Fellow and a nominee for the inaugural E. L. Doctorow Fellowship. He lives in Brooklyn. This is his first novel.

www.jaroslavkalfar.com

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The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Copyright © 2017 by Jaroslav Kalfař

Cover design by Allison Warner

Cover illustration of spaceman © Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

Cover copyright © 2017 Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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First ebook edition: March 2017

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“The Sun Clock” by Karel Toman translated from the Czech by the author

ISBN 978-0-316-27340-4

E3-20170119-JV-PC