The four ghosts in the novel are not invented. They were real people, who lived
in or near Vasad, and whose lives I read about over many quiet evenings before
I sat down to write. The novel tries to remember them gently. Here is the small
truth behind each one.
[Portrait or symbol — Rozina]
Rozina
The princess with shifting eyes
In the book
Rozina is the first ghost Liza meets. She appears inside the tablet on a
Tuesday in October and waits, very politely, until Liza is ready to listen.
In real life
[PLACEHOLDER — historical note about Rozina goes here. Birth and death dates,
connection to Vasad, what is known about her short life, and how the author
came to learn about her. Replace with the real biographical sketch from the
book's afterword.]
[Portrait or symbol — Ilona]
Ilona
The kitchen-mistress of the castle
In the book
Ilona is the second ghost Liza meets, and the kindest. She knows where every
quiet corner of the castle is, because she spent fifty years walking through
them with a candle.
In real life
[PLACEHOLDER — historical note about Ilona. Replace with the real biographical
sketch.]
[Portrait or symbol — István]
István
The boy who never finished his letter
In the book
István is the youngest of the four. He is also the most curious about the
tablet, and the most careful with Liza when she is sad.
In real life
[PLACEHOLDER — historical note about István. Replace with the real biographical
sketch.]
[Portrait or symbol — Zsuzsanna]
Zsuzsanna
The old woman of the church ruin
In the book
Zsuzsanna lives at the thousand-year-old ruin at Csévharaszt. She is the one
who finally explains to Liza what Phoenix wants, and why.
In real life
[PLACEHOLDER — historical note about Zsuzsanna. Replace with the real
biographical sketch.]