FOREWORD
The book’s thematic sequential segments, its
“vignettes,” are accompanied by a collection of illustrations complementing
each essay’s thematic idea. Just like the art, which is presented in multiple
styles and forms, the vignettes are written in diverse styles and formats. Finally,
and adding complexity to the project, the book was simultaneously written in
English and Spanish, including both texts in the same volume, with the
intention of serving both audiences of this multiverse which I straddle daily.
While a traditional Foreword often elaborates
upon ideas in the content of the main text, in keeping with the discovery
aspect of the “fiction” part of this work, such an explanatory guide is left
for the end, in an Afterword. The reading can be best enjoyed without such
preliminaries.
I owe many thanks to all those who collaborated
in this project, especially the artists who contributed the accompanying
artwork, the institutions which generously granted permission to reproduce
masterpieces from their collections, and to Dr. Carlos Di Bonifacio, for guiding
me in securing the rights to use an image from the Uffizi Galleries, in
Florence. Special thanks go to my sister, Magdalena Rangel, that used her
unique talent not only to contribute with two vignette illustrations but
designed the book’s layout, and cover, as well as for assisting me in detecting
typos and other such errors to which I was blind. It would be an unforgivable
dereliction not to thank Beatrice Rangel, my kin in spirit, whose constant
insistence in making me part of her multiple projects and interests reinspired
me to retake this one, which for various reasons I had abandoned in the past. I also thank my artist friends who tapped
their own networks to widen the net of collaborators, and my agent Maria Elena
Lavaud for always asking questions.
I must particularly acknowledge an editor I will
not name from my previous publishing house who took up the project to the
editorial committee but was told it was “too creative; we are academics.” I was
thus sent down into the rabbit’s hole to explore its potential—and into
self-publishing.
My toughest critic is Dr. Esmeralda Garbi, my
wife. When she finished reading an advanced draft of the book and told me “it’s
good,” I knew that indeed it was. Her sharp eye, quick commentary, and keen
editorial corrections make this book better many times over than that early
draft she read. Her quiet support as I dedicated countless nights writing the
text and in the project’s carpentry was priceless. Unfortunately, sometimes you
have an impossible to tame urge to write, as it absorbs body and soul; she
allowed me to satisfy it. Without her support, I can accomplish nothing. I know
she sacrificed much in doing so, so my gratitude and love runs deep. Her love
is manifest in many ways.
CJR
Illustration: Nuria Román FROM SOUTH TO NORTH (2001). In the book this illustration appears in the vignette IT COMES AROUND.
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