Dedication





Dedication

Dedication to the Original Edition:

When the dark begins to close in around you, a friend can be identified by the candle he carries.

So this book is dedicated
ToTED E. WHITE

Dedication to the Second Edition:

To the memory of
ED SHERMAN

who was "George Crater," who inspired this book,
and who died much too early—for the world.

Letter received by the author:

May 1, 1972

Dear Mr. Ellison:

My name is Julie Sherman and I'm the daughter of Madeline and Ed Sherman. I am writing you to tell you of some bad news that has happened. On April 16, my mother died. The reason I am writing you is because you dedicated your book, MEMOS FROM PURGATORY, to my father and therefore I thought you were a friend of my mother.

I know that in matters each as "death" should personally call the person and not say it in a letter. But since you're all the way in California, and I'm all the way in New York, it seems impossible.

Maybe some day you can write a book and dedicate it to my mother. Thank you.

Sincerely,




Dedication to the New Edition:

ForMADELINE andED
godammit