AcknowledgmentsThere were many, many people who helped me as I wrote this book. It may take a village to raise a child, but it seems to take an army to write a historical novel.
First, I must thank Julia Nations and her students, who were the first test audience for this book as I was beginning to write it. Their thoughtful questions and their persistent requests over subsequent years to know what happened next were a wonderful inspiration to finish the story.
Sarah Jae-Jones was kind enough to try to help me understand how a Korean accent might sound to the Japanese. Don’t blame her for the way Kee Sun talks, however. That’s all from my peculiar imagination.
Dr. Diane Monteil shared her wisdom in the use (and a***e) of traditional Asian herbal medicines. She was both patient and good-h
