Acknowledgments

This project has its origins in academic research providentially guided by Lino Fertile, Nick Lolordo, and Harvard’s Department of English and American Literature. Tom Teicholz first challenged me to explore this unique moment in literary history further by constructing a fictional narrative.

The Dante Club’s evolution from manuscript to novel depended most of all on two talented and inspirational professionals: my agent, Suzanne Gluck, whose extraordinary commitment, vision, and friendship quickly became as integral to the book as its characters; and my editor, Jon Karp, who immersed himself wholly in shaping and guiding the novel with patience, generosity, and respect.

In between origin and completion, there are many who contributed and are owed thanks. For their faith and ingenuity as readers and advisers: Julia Green, beside me without fail for every new idea and obstacle; Scott Weinger; my parents, Susan and Warren Pearl, and brother, Ian, for finding time and energy to help with all dimensions. Further thanks to readers Toby Ast, Peter Hawkins, Richard Hurowitz, Gene Koo, Julie Park, Cynthia Posil-lico, Lino, and Tom; and to counselors on various issues Lincoln Caplan, Leslie Falls, Micah Green, David Korzenik, and Keith Poliakoff. Thanks to Ann Godoff for staunch support; also at Random House, my appreciation to Janet Cooke, Todd Doughty, Janelle Duryea, Jake Greenberg, Ivan Held, Carole Lowenstein, Maria Massey, Libby McGuire, Tom Perry, Allison Saltz-man, Carol Schneider, Evan Stone, and Veronica Windholz; David Ebershoff at Modern Library; Richard Abate, Ron Bernstein, Margaret Halton, Karen Kenyon, Betsy Robbins, and Caroline Sparrow at ICM; Karen Gerwin and Emily Nurkin at William Morris; and to Courtney Hodell, who fortified the project with zeal and her inventive perspective.

My research was bolstered by the Harvard and Yale libraries, Joan Nordell, J. Chesley Mathews, Jim Shea, and Neil and Angelica Rudenstine, who allowed me to study their home (formerly Elmwood) with Kim Tseko as guide. For outstanding help with forensic entomology, I extend thanks to Rob Hall, Neal Haskell, Boris Kondratieff, Daniel Maiello, Morten Starkeby, Jeffrey Wells, Ralph Williams, and to Mark Benecke in particular for his tutoring and creativity.

Special appreciation to the keepers of history at the Longfellow House, where we step into the rooms that once hosted the Dante Club, and to the Dante Society of America, the direct descendant of the Dante Club by virtue of legacy and spirit.