"The Bonesetter s Daughter dramatically chromcles the tortured, devoted relationship between LuLing Youfig and her daughter Ruth A strong novel, filled with idiosyncratic, sympathetic characters, haunting images,historical complexity, significant contemporary themes,and suspenseful mystery."——Los Angeles Times

I give endless thanks to my dear friend and editor, the late,great Faith Sale. To my astonishment, she could always sense the difference between what I was trying to write and what I wanted to write. She promised she would see me through this book, and though she died before I finished, I believe she kept her promise.

My writing teacher and longtime mentor, Molly Giles,took over as editor and resurrected this book during those days when I was scared to turn the pages. Thank you, Molly,for your keen eye and ear, as well as for suggestions that were always true to my intentions. I also much appreciated the heavy doses of optimism during times we can now acknowl-edge as dire.

I am blessed to have had the help, kindness, and protection of Lou and G-reg, the guidance of Sandra Dijkstra, Anna Jar-dine, and Aimee Taub, and the spiritual sustenance of the late-night posters on AOUs Caregivers' Support for the El-derly.

As luck and fate would have it, two ghostwriters came to my assistance during the last draft. The heart of this story be-longs to my grandmother, its voice to my mother. I give them credit for anything good, and have already promised them I will try harder the next time.