The History of Now
The characters in this novel are entirely a product of my imagination, but the town of Grandville itself - its geography, demography and, to a lesser extent, its history - are patterned after the town I call home: Great Barrington, Massachusetts. For some information I used about the town of Grandville/ Great Barrington, especially its old theater, I am indebted to our diligent local historian, Bernard Drew. I am also indebted to my friend, Pato Fornou, for telling me in dramatic detail about the lives and personal histories of Latinos living in New England towns. A number of friends and family members read various drafts of this book: Tom Cathcart, Liz Socolow, Hester Velmans, Denis Clifford, and Lee Kalcheim; my wife, Freke, and my daughter, Samara. They are patient, acute, and generous readers all, and I hope they know how much I appreciate their help. My agent and friend, Julia Lord, has once again gone far beyond professional duty in helping me with this book, knowing how important it is to me. As always, I am deeply appreciative of Beverly and Kim Kimball, known to us on the Third Floor of 292 Main Street as the Medicis of Main Street. Generously, if unwittingly, they have supported a fertile art colony in their old building here. Finally, I wish to thank Marty and Judy Shepard, co-publishers of The Permanent Press, for taking the risk of publishing a philosophically inclined novel in the early 21st century.