Dr Ben Hoban answered general medical questions.
Liz Calder, Katherine Greenwood, Phoebe Hoban and Dominic Power gave useful comments.
Gundula, my wife, translated ‘Der Tod und das Mädchen’ on pp. 28–29 and ‘Herr Oluf’ on p. 32. She also kept me up to date with London in general and fashions in particular.
Two National Geographic articles were valuable sources: ‘Hawai’i: Preserving the Breath’ by Paul Theroux, December 2002 and ‘Maui: Where Old Hawaii still Lives’ by Kenneth F. Weaver, April 1971.
The ANAPAESTS FOR PEACE T-shirt was derived from Neil Bennett’s cartoon in the 1 May 2001 edition of The Times.
The Daniel Mendoza and Coffee As You Like It are fictional.
The European free-tailed bat who crash-landed on p. 100 was rescued by Ginni Little of the Cornwall Bat Hospital. Now rejoicing in the name of Hobbit Higgins (because of his hairy feet), he is thriving under Mrs Little’s care. The Cornwall Bat Hospital has no income other then private donations and the money it receives from its adoption scheme. Ginni Littles work with these fascinating creatures deserves all possible support.
R.H.
London, 23 July 2004
A Note on the Author
Russell Hoban (1925–2011) was the author of many extraordinary novels including Turtle Diary, Angelica Lost and Found and his masterpiece, Riddley Walker. He also wrote some classic books for children including The Mouse and his Child and the Frances books. Born in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, USA, he lived in London from 1969 until his death.