Daniel Torday - The Last Flight of Poxl West

My colleagues and students in Bryn Mawr College’s Creative Writing Program. Karl Kirchwey has given me opportunity, mentorship, friendship — and a read of this novel. Karen Russell has blessed me with support, friendship, and the generosity of her prodigious talent and mind. Robin Black has offered now years of her time and wisdom as friend and confidante. Bryn Mawr’s English Department, Arts Program, and the college’s president, Kim Cassidy, have provided collegiality, encouragement, and creative support. Lisa Saltzman, in the college’s History of Art Department, lent advice on Schiele and his milieu. Kate Thomas grew up in Kent, and she provided invaluable details about the UK in the forties — with an assist from her parents, Michael and Elizabeth Thomas.

The relatives in my diaspora family, who made trips to Europe feel like trips home: Bibi and Charles Hope opened their homes in both England and France to me. John and Reni Carson gave a room in their home in Dominica, and shared stories of London in the forties. Thanks also to their daughter, Ann Tempier. Kathy Bristow made all the introductions. My Hungarian grandparents, Steven and Maria Torday, and my father’s Aunt Traute Reiss, all of whom passed before they could read this book.

My cousin Honza North, who lent me the hospitality of a room in London, and whose generosity with stories of his experiences during the war in Czechoslovakia, Holland, the UK, and Rhodesia offered me a glimpse into an experience I didn’t know existed. I’d give any number of my days to fulfill the wish that he hadn’t passed before I could show him this book.

My parents, John and Barbara Torday, who raised me with the understanding that reading was what you did unless you were doing something else, and who have never shown a second of doubt that it was reasonable to want to give the better part of a decade over to writing a novel. And Nicole Torday, ideal sister and aunt.

Finally, where it starts and ends: my perfect, patient, empathic wife, Erin, and our perfect, often-patient, and beautiful daughters, Abby and Delia. It’s always for you, and always and only because of your love and support.