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The Smaller Sky
'A classic.' - Susan Hill, author of The Woman in Black and I'm King of the Castle
'John Wain's best novel in a long time . . . an interesting story . . . stunning.' - The Observer
'John Wain's contribution to the gathering army of lone, upset figures is a notable one.' - William Trevor, Books and Bookmen
'Harrowing but deeply compassionate . . . marks a new and impressive development in Mr. Wain's writing.' British Book News
'This searching novel throws a critical spotlight on the life that the modern world compels us to lead.' - Encounter
Arthur Geary, a 45-year-old research scientist, quits his job and leaves his wife and children, taking up residence in a hotel near Paddington Station, where he passes all his time sitting on the platforms, watching the people and trains come and go. Overwhelmed by the stresses of modern life, including his difficult job and failing marriage, Geary finds the limitless sky of London unbearable and seeks refuge beneath the 'smaller sky' of the glass-roofed station. But when friends and family become concerned with his unusual behaviour, and he begins to be hounded by psychiatrists and television reporters, Geary's search for peace and freedom becomes increasingly desperate . . .
One of the great English men of letters of the 20th century, John Wain (1925-1994) won almost every major British literary award during a career that spanned five decades, and his works are now being rediscovered. The Smaller Sky (1967), a classic novel of alienation and despair, is one of Wain's most enduring achievements and returns to print for the first time in more than 35 years. This edition includes a new introduction by Alice Ferrebe.
'John Wain's best novel in a long time . . . an interesting story . . . stunning.' - The Observer
'John Wain's contribution to the gathering army of lone, upset figures is a notable one.' - William Trevor, Books and Bookmen
'Harrowing but deeply compassionate . . . marks a new and impressive development in Mr. Wain's writing.' British Book News
'This searching novel throws a critical spotlight on the life that the modern world compels us to lead.' - Encounter
Arthur Geary, a 45-year-old research scientist, quits his job and leaves his wife and children, taking up residence in a hotel near Paddington Station, where he passes all his time sitting on the platforms, watching the people and trains come and go. Overwhelmed by the stresses of modern life, including his difficult job and failing marriage, Geary finds the limitless sky of London unbearable and seeks refuge beneath the 'smaller sky' of the glass-roofed station. But when friends and family become concerned with his unusual behaviour, and he begins to be hounded by psychiatrists and television reporters, Geary's search for peace and freedom becomes increasingly desperate . . .
One of the great English men of letters of the 20th century, John Wain (1925-1994) won almost every major British literary award during a career that spanned five decades, and his works are now being rediscovered. The Smaller Sky (1967), a classic novel of alienation and despair, is one of Wain's most enduring achievements and returns to print for the first time in more than 35 years. This edition includes a new introduction by Alice Ferrebe.
142 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
9 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
John Wain
148 books17 followersJohn Barrington Wain was an English poet, novelist, and critic, associated with the literary group "The Movement". For most of his life, Wain worked as a freelance journalist and author, writing and reviewing for newspapers and the radio.
Wain was born and grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, the son of a dentist, Arnold Wain, and his wife Annie, née Turner. He had an older sister and a younger brother, Noel. After attending Newcastle under Lyme High School, he entered St. John's College, Oxford, gaining a first in his BA in 1946 and MA in 1950. He was a Fereday Fellow of St. John's between 1946 and 1949. On 4 July 1947, Wain married Marianne Uffenheimer (b. 1923 or 1924), but they divorced in 1956. Wain then married Eirian Mary James (1920 - 1988), deputy director of the recorded sound department of the British Council, on 1 January 1960. They had three sons and lived mainly in Wolvercote, Oxford. Wain married his third wife, Patricia Adams (born 1942 or 1943), an art teacher, in 1989. He died in Oxford on 24 May 1994.
Wain was born and grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, the son of a dentist, Arnold Wain, and his wife Annie, née Turner. He had an older sister and a younger brother, Noel. After attending Newcastle under Lyme High School, he entered St. John's College, Oxford, gaining a first in his BA in 1946 and MA in 1950. He was a Fereday Fellow of St. John's between 1946 and 1949. On 4 July 1947, Wain married Marianne Uffenheimer (b. 1923 or 1924), but they divorced in 1956. Wain then married Eirian Mary James (1920 - 1988), deputy director of the recorded sound department of the British Council, on 1 January 1960. They had three sons and lived mainly in Wolvercote, Oxford. Wain married his third wife, Patricia Adams (born 1942 or 1943), an art teacher, in 1989. He died in Oxford on 24 May 1994.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 2, 2024
A book that I chose after reading the review of a GR Friend. It was originally published at the end of the 1960s. The main protagonist, Arthur Geary, middle-class and middle-aged, suddenly abandons his wife, children and job, and takes up residence at Paddington Station in London. In the novel it’s made clear that Geary is somehow overwhelmed with the modern world. He seeks refuge amongst the crowds of transient people at the station, amongst whom he can blend in anonymously.
Or so he thinks. The thing about a mainline train station is that a great many people pass through. Eventually he has a chance encounter with an acquaintance, which has a series of consequences. In particular it leads to the introduction of one Adrian Swarthmore, an ambitious TV journalist and as odious a character as was ever invented in fiction.
One theme of the book is how difficult it is for Geary to withdraw from the world. Everyone he meets in person is a threat to him. Working class characters are physically and verbally aggressive. The middle class characters are polite and caring on the surface, but underneath are unable to tolerate Geary’s lifestyle.
The novel is one of those that has switching perspectives, exploring the impact Geary’s decision has on the people around him. There’s an Introduction which, as per my policy, I read after the novel itself. It makes a criticism of the author’s portrayal of female characters. It’s not that the women are malicious as much as simply unimpressive. There’s some justification for this criticism.
I couldn’t help feeling sympathy for Geary, as he fights to stop the world closing in on him again, and the novel is quite exciting in its own way. I liked the author’s writing style.
Or so he thinks. The thing about a mainline train station is that a great many people pass through. Eventually he has a chance encounter with an acquaintance, which has a series of consequences. In particular it leads to the introduction of one Adrian Swarthmore, an ambitious TV journalist and as odious a character as was ever invented in fiction.
One theme of the book is how difficult it is for Geary to withdraw from the world. Everyone he meets in person is a threat to him. Working class characters are physically and verbally aggressive. The middle class characters are polite and caring on the surface, but underneath are unable to tolerate Geary’s lifestyle.
The novel is one of those that has switching perspectives, exploring the impact Geary’s decision has on the people around him. There’s an Introduction which, as per my policy, I read after the novel itself. It makes a criticism of the author’s portrayal of female characters. It’s not that the women are malicious as much as simply unimpressive. There’s some justification for this criticism.
I couldn’t help feeling sympathy for Geary, as he fights to stop the world closing in on him again, and the novel is quite exciting in its own way. I liked the author’s writing style.
August 9, 2018
Sometimes, when I’m in social situations, even (especially) with my wife and children and grandchildren and assorted in laws, I have the sense that there is a marching band, complete with drums, trumpets, and French horns, marching through my head. When that situation arises, rather than screaming at everyone to “Shut Up, Damit!!”, I simply slip away. In the past, I have been pursued and questioned as to whether anything were wrong. I calmly reply that there is nothing wrong. I simply need to rest for a while. Then I go back to my reading.
Most people who know me are now accustomed to my behaviour, no matter how rude they may consider it. I have decided that my own peace of mind trumps (excuse my profanity) whatever needs others may feel in the situation. (If you are ever with me and I simply walk away, please don’t feel offended. It’s just me. On the other hand, if I stay with you for an extended period, know that I am thoroughly enjoying your company.) But I am straying from the book.
This charming little book, which I discovered through reading Marita’s review, is about a man who has left his family in order to stop the noise in his head. He has moved into a hotel attached to London’s Paddington Station and spends his days aimlessly wandering around the station, outside of which the noise returns. He is calm and pleasant, interacting with others in a rational way. His only concern is that others let him be. He knows that, in time, he will come to grips with himself and will be able to return to a ‘normal’ existence. He just needs that time.
Of course, the rest of the book is about the world not letting him be. Both the well-meaning and the self-gratifying people of our world cannot let him be. We know early on that this will not work out well.
The book does not become overly dramatic, nor does it become preachy, it simply tells a story. I shall leave my review at that.
Most people who know me are now accustomed to my behaviour, no matter how rude they may consider it. I have decided that my own peace of mind trumps (excuse my profanity) whatever needs others may feel in the situation. (If you are ever with me and I simply walk away, please don’t feel offended. It’s just me. On the other hand, if I stay with you for an extended period, know that I am thoroughly enjoying your company.) But I am straying from the book.
This charming little book, which I discovered through reading Marita’s review, is about a man who has left his family in order to stop the noise in his head. He has moved into a hotel attached to London’s Paddington Station and spends his days aimlessly wandering around the station, outside of which the noise returns. He is calm and pleasant, interacting with others in a rational way. His only concern is that others let him be. He knows that, in time, he will come to grips with himself and will be able to return to a ‘normal’ existence. He just needs that time.
Of course, the rest of the book is about the world not letting him be. Both the well-meaning and the self-gratifying people of our world cannot let him be. We know early on that this will not work out well.
The book does not become overly dramatic, nor does it become preachy, it simply tells a story. I shall leave my review at that.
November 24, 2024
Does a husband, a father and successful scientist have the right to feel overwhelmed? To escape and leave the life full of responsibilities, expectations and problems behind? Is it realistic to abrubtly leave the family, quit the job and live as a recluse in London’s Paddington Station because only under its 'smaller sky' he feels protected from the reality with its troubles? Can he do it without being considered insane or, worse, being hunted by an unprincipled journalist hoping for a sensational story? The author asks all these questions and tries to answer them in his novel.
May 2, 2025
3.5/5
Daha Küçük Bir Gökyüzü, modern hayatın insanı nasıl öğüttüğünü, tüm çıkışları nasıl kapattığını anlatan bir varoluş sorgulaması romanı. Kahramanımız Arthur Geary’nin kendini bir tren istasyonuna sığınarak dünyadan koparması, başka bir deyişle bildiğimiz hayatından vazgeçmesi, her şeye sırtını dönmesi asla sandığı kadar kolay olmuyor. İstasyonda karşılaştığı alt sınıftan insanlar onun varlığından rahatsız olurken, eski hayatından (orta sınıftan) insanlar ise anlayışlı görünseler dahi içten içe Arthur’u yadırgıyorlar ve yargılıyorlar. Oysa onun tek istediği biraz kendisiyle başbaşa kalmak yani daha küçük bir gökyüzü altında özgürce var olabilmek. Tabii bu modern hayatın en büyük sorunlarından birisi olduğu için oldukça zor bir seçim aynı zamanda. Yazar da bu refleksle Arthur’a odaklanırken bir yandan da bu durumun farklı bakış açılarından nasıl gözüktüğünün peşine düşüyor. Bu da anlatıma şık bir katman ekliyor. Romanın genel olarak başarılı olduğunu düşünüyorum. Özellikle Arthur’un ruh hâlini mekanla bütünleştirmesini ve dünyaya sığamayan halini etkileyici buldum. Ama günümüzden bakınca tüm hikayeyi biraz eskimiş de buldum. Benzer meseleleri ele alan çok fazla metin okuduğum içindir belki böyle düşünmem. Yine de özellikle bireyin yalnızlığı ve kaçış ihtiyacı üzerine yazılmış metinleri sevenler için hâlâ güçlü bir okuma olabileceğini de düşünüyorum.
Daha Küçük Bir Gökyüzü, modern hayatın insanı nasıl öğüttüğünü, tüm çıkışları nasıl kapattığını anlatan bir varoluş sorgulaması romanı. Kahramanımız Arthur Geary’nin kendini bir tren istasyonuna sığınarak dünyadan koparması, başka bir deyişle bildiğimiz hayatından vazgeçmesi, her şeye sırtını dönmesi asla sandığı kadar kolay olmuyor. İstasyonda karşılaştığı alt sınıftan insanlar onun varlığından rahatsız olurken, eski hayatından (orta sınıftan) insanlar ise anlayışlı görünseler dahi içten içe Arthur’u yadırgıyorlar ve yargılıyorlar. Oysa onun tek istediği biraz kendisiyle başbaşa kalmak yani daha küçük bir gökyüzü altında özgürce var olabilmek. Tabii bu modern hayatın en büyük sorunlarından birisi olduğu için oldukça zor bir seçim aynı zamanda. Yazar da bu refleksle Arthur’a odaklanırken bir yandan da bu durumun farklı bakış açılarından nasıl gözüktüğünün peşine düşüyor. Bu da anlatıma şık bir katman ekliyor. Romanın genel olarak başarılı olduğunu düşünüyorum. Özellikle Arthur’un ruh hâlini mekanla bütünleştirmesini ve dünyaya sığamayan halini etkileyici buldum. Ama günümüzden bakınca tüm hikayeyi biraz eskimiş de buldum. Benzer meseleleri ele alan çok fazla metin okuduğum içindir belki böyle düşünmem. Yine de özellikle bireyin yalnızlığı ve kaçış ihtiyacı üzerine yazılmış metinleri sevenler için hâlâ güçlü bir okuma olabileceğini de düşünüyorum.
June 22, 2025
3 stars
thank you @birkutukitap for the book!
#ad
if you have to deal with it,you deal with it
thank you @birkutukitap for the book!
#ad
if you have to deal with it,you deal with it
June 21, 2025
Holden'in #Kuytu serisinin, seri ismine en çok uyan üyelerinden biri olsa gerek bu kitap. Tam bir saklı cevher. Bir şairin elinden çıkan, şiir gibi yazılmış bir metin; dolayısıyla bulunabilecek anlamların büyük kısmı boşluklarda, okunmayan yerlerde yatıyor.
Çok şey istemeyen bir adamın hikâyesi bu aslında. Sadece rahat bırakılmak istiyor. O zamanlarda -1967'de- bile zor bir istekmiş bu ama, bunu anlıyoruz; kaldı ki şimdi başarılabilsin...
Dünyadan kaçmak bu kadar zor olmamalı ya. Daha doğrusu, hakikaten de dünyadan kaçılabilmeli. Mesela Mars'a.
Ama insanın olduğu her yerde, insan yine insanlık mı eder?
Çok şey istemeyen bir adamın hikâyesi bu aslında. Sadece rahat bırakılmak istiyor. O zamanlarda -1967'de- bile zor bir istekmiş bu ama, bunu anlıyoruz; kaldı ki şimdi başarılabilsin...
Dünyadan kaçmak bu kadar zor olmamalı ya. Daha doğrusu, hakikaten de dünyadan kaçılabilmeli. Mesela Mars'a.
Ama insanın olduğu her yerde, insan yine insanlık mı eder?
May 8, 2017
Interesting premise but not fully realised. The narrative voice never successfully gets into Geary's mind, and it would have been much more affecting if we had come to empathise with him (and all of the ingredients are there, ie wanting to escape daily life). Also not entirely sure the structure fits with the content: a slight novel in the third-person with multiple narrative voices (Geary, his wife, Swathmore, David, etc)? Again could this have been improved if it was in first-person inside Geary's mind, giving more of a sense of dislocation from the outside world? Good idea and well done but could have been more effective.
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October 4, 2025Not sure how I stumbled across this for my TBR but I was interested in the premise; a middle aged, middle class man, John Geary, leaves home suddenly and goes to live in a major London Railway Terminus. He’s clearly having some sort of mental breakdown but finds the hustle and bustle of the station crowds calming, while at the same time wanting to have nothing to do with the individuals using or working at the station. Not full on homeless as he has the resources to stay at night in the station hotel.
Set in a 50’s/60’s England recovering from WW2 and written about then too.
You don’t really know how he’s arrived at this stage in his life, something more than a stereotypical middle aged crisis. You’re introduced to his wife, and two teenage kids, who are shocked and distressed, even though the wife has known for a while that their marriage was over and divorce inevitable.
I found the story involving the sudden disruption of a comfortable suburban lifestyle not really to my taste though some features caught my attention. The description of how the younger child reacts I did find compelling. I was a little surprised at somewhat misogynistic character introductions; the first 2-3 women in the story are introduced initially by their physical appearance (the wife as ‘never pretty but handsome’, almost free of wrinkles and with plump hips). The men are not described in any detail (no receding hairlines or middle aged paunches mentioned) though the villain of the story (an intrusive reporter) is described in line to match his excessive vanity. This aspect was rescued a little by the wife showing strength of character just as it appeared she was about to fall for the first, apparently strong, man offering to look after her and her worries.
It’s not a long novel, it’s pretty well written and you want to know how it’ll progress for several of the characters. You could soon see how it was likely to end for John Geary.
Well written but not to my taste, with some aspects I didn’t like, so I won’t rate it.
Set in a 50’s/60’s England recovering from WW2 and written about then too.
You don’t really know how he’s arrived at this stage in his life, something more than a stereotypical middle aged crisis. You’re introduced to his wife, and two teenage kids, who are shocked and distressed, even though the wife has known for a while that their marriage was over and divorce inevitable.
I found the story involving the sudden disruption of a comfortable suburban lifestyle not really to my taste though some features caught my attention. The description of how the younger child reacts I did find compelling. I was a little surprised at somewhat misogynistic character introductions; the first 2-3 women in the story are introduced initially by their physical appearance (the wife as ‘never pretty but handsome’, almost free of wrinkles and with plump hips). The men are not described in any detail (no receding hairlines or middle aged paunches mentioned) though the villain of the story (an intrusive reporter) is described in line to match his excessive vanity. This aspect was rescued a little by the wife showing strength of character just as it appeared she was about to fall for the first, apparently strong, man offering to look after her and her worries.
It’s not a long novel, it’s pretty well written and you want to know how it’ll progress for several of the characters. You could soon see how it was likely to end for John Geary.
Well written but not to my taste, with some aspects I didn’t like, so I won’t rate it.
April 3, 2020
A good story about what happens when an individual doesn't follow the unspoken dictates of society, but John, why would you give your protagonist the last name Geary and then refer to him by that the entire book? Surely you knew the similarity to the first name Gary would grate on the reader?
January 22, 2016
The Smaller Sky is the story of an average man, lonely and overwhelmed by the expectations placed on him by his family, his job, and his culture, who retreats to the sanctuary of Paddington Station, London. Comforted by the calm bustle and anonymity of the platforms, Arthur Geary lives at the station in relative peace until an inauspicious meeting with an old colleague puts forces in motion that seek to "fix" Geary's apparent ailment.
Like a train, this book starts off slow and hesitant but quickly builds until you simply can't put it down. Watching all the pieces falling toward the seemingly inevitable - though no less riveting - conclusion was a bittersweet pleasure. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the fraught relationship between the individual and society in our modern, ever-changing world.
Like a train, this book starts off slow and hesitant but quickly builds until you simply can't put it down. Watching all the pieces falling toward the seemingly inevitable - though no less riveting - conclusion was a bittersweet pleasure. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the fraught relationship between the individual and society in our modern, ever-changing world.
February 3, 2018
One of my favourite small novels ever. Strong voice and wonderings of that is "normal" how we choose to treat people with mental illness - written in 1967 one can only wonder how much more acute modern attitudes affect those afflicted.
December 16, 2024
“The Smaller Sky” (TSS) explores the individual’s right to privacy and freedom even when the choices they make seem inexplicable or irrational. The central character, middle-aged Arthur Geary, has abandoned his job and family, moved into a hotel and now spends his days idling around London’s Paddington Station. His friends and family struggle to understand this abrupt change in him and fret over what to do. Geary quietly but firmly rebuffs their clumsy if well-meaning attempts to engage with him but there are worse hazards lurking within the station where life turns out to be more complicated and dangerous than he’d anticipated. Meanwhile sleazy showbiz hack Adrian Swarthmore has caught the scent of Geary’s story and senses a chance to use it to advance his career. All Geary wants is to be allowed to get on with this peculiar life that he’s chosen but it becomes increasingly clear that the world simply will not leave him alone.
Up to a point Geary’s behaviour is perfectly understandable. Overwhelmed by the rat race he has chosen to opt out of it, something every stressed-out commuter on the planet can relate to. The twist that sets TSS apart from the usual narratives about discontented urbanites is that Geary has chosen to spend his time in a thronging central London station, just about the unlikeliest place anyone would go for some peace of mind. This makes as little sense to us as it does to Geary’s family and friends and leaves us wondering if he is just a harmless eccentric or genuinely disturbed in some way. By never clearly resolving this Wain tests our own limits of tolerance and leaves us somewhat conflicted as we follow the events that unfold. It’s a simple but smart device: if Geary had left the city to live on a remote island this would have been a very different and less challenging work. TSS is also disturbingly prescient in ways that Wain may have been only partially aware of back in 1967 when the book was published. A scene where Swarthmore leers at an underage girl in her school uniform may be even more uncomfortable for readers now than it was back then considering what we have since discovered about numerous real-life celebrities who were starting their careers at that time. One wonders now if Wain was trying to tell us something.
Overall I would highly recommend this short novel which is written in a very readable and unpretentious style (for which alone it deserves five stars). Despite the difficult theme and large cast of characters Wain keeps all the elements under control and guides us deftly through the central story. I’m astonished that this book is not better known and thanks are due to Valancourt for republishing it after so many years out-of-print. I can think of many far better known and highly acclaimed “classics” that are vastly inferior to this obscure and criminally underrated little gem. It captures the milieu of its time while its appeals for privacy, individual freedom and the right to live as one wants may be even more pertinent now than they were back in the late sixties. We can only guess what Wain would have made of our contemporary world with its tabloid phone hacking, invasive social media, online personal data gathering and security cameras on every corner. Poor old Geary wouldn’t stand a chance now.
Up to a point Geary’s behaviour is perfectly understandable. Overwhelmed by the rat race he has chosen to opt out of it, something every stressed-out commuter on the planet can relate to. The twist that sets TSS apart from the usual narratives about discontented urbanites is that Geary has chosen to spend his time in a thronging central London station, just about the unlikeliest place anyone would go for some peace of mind. This makes as little sense to us as it does to Geary’s family and friends and leaves us wondering if he is just a harmless eccentric or genuinely disturbed in some way. By never clearly resolving this Wain tests our own limits of tolerance and leaves us somewhat conflicted as we follow the events that unfold. It’s a simple but smart device: if Geary had left the city to live on a remote island this would have been a very different and less challenging work. TSS is also disturbingly prescient in ways that Wain may have been only partially aware of back in 1967 when the book was published. A scene where Swarthmore leers at an underage girl in her school uniform may be even more uncomfortable for readers now than it was back then considering what we have since discovered about numerous real-life celebrities who were starting their careers at that time. One wonders now if Wain was trying to tell us something.
Overall I would highly recommend this short novel which is written in a very readable and unpretentious style (for which alone it deserves five stars). Despite the difficult theme and large cast of characters Wain keeps all the elements under control and guides us deftly through the central story. I’m astonished that this book is not better known and thanks are due to Valancourt for republishing it after so many years out-of-print. I can think of many far better known and highly acclaimed “classics” that are vastly inferior to this obscure and criminally underrated little gem. It captures the milieu of its time while its appeals for privacy, individual freedom and the right to live as one wants may be even more pertinent now than they were back in the late sixties. We can only guess what Wain would have made of our contemporary world with its tabloid phone hacking, invasive social media, online personal data gathering and security cameras on every corner. Poor old Geary wouldn’t stand a chance now.
July 4, 2019
What would make a respected scientist leave “The Institute” where he works, as well as his wife and two children to take up residence at Paddington Station?
This beautiful novel explores a life gone awry, and the question of what is rational or the norm versus what is perceived to be irrational. What seems to be a perfectly rational decision to the protagonist Arthur Geary is an act of madness to those around him. Geary reaches a point in his life where everything is just noise. He hears a constant drumming in the background, and he discovers that it is only when he is at Paddington Station that the drumming recedes and he feels safe. Safe that is until the day he encounters a friend who wants to help. From that point everything spirals hopelessly out of control.
Geary has provided for his family financially. He is well groomed, and his manner is calm. The responses of others towards his agoraphobic behaviour is not always as calm. Philip Robinson who is determined to help feels a certain amount of rage at Geary’s calm response and obvious lack of desire to be helped. Robinson’s wife feels rage that her husband spends time worrying about Geary instead of being at home to help with preparations for a dinner party. And so on… It is Geary’s very calmness that is a catalyst for a range of strong feelings and rash actions.
Author John Wain very deftly builds up an enormous amount of suspense, and one knows from the word go that things cannot possibly end well. From a chance encounter with a well meaning friend the story soon includes Geary’s family members as well as an unscrupulous person from his wife’s past. Each has his or her own motivation to rescue Geary. The problem is where does one draw a line between help and interference?
Having initially rated it four stars I am now rating it five as I enjoyed reading this well crafted and nicely written novel.
This beautiful novel explores a life gone awry, and the question of what is rational or the norm versus what is perceived to be irrational. What seems to be a perfectly rational decision to the protagonist Arthur Geary is an act of madness to those around him. Geary reaches a point in his life where everything is just noise. He hears a constant drumming in the background, and he discovers that it is only when he is at Paddington Station that the drumming recedes and he feels safe. Safe that is until the day he encounters a friend who wants to help. From that point everything spirals hopelessly out of control.
Geary has provided for his family financially. He is well groomed, and his manner is calm. The responses of others towards his agoraphobic behaviour is not always as calm. Philip Robinson who is determined to help feels a certain amount of rage at Geary’s calm response and obvious lack of desire to be helped. Robinson’s wife feels rage that her husband spends time worrying about Geary instead of being at home to help with preparations for a dinner party. And so on… It is Geary’s very calmness that is a catalyst for a range of strong feelings and rash actions.
Author John Wain very deftly builds up an enormous amount of suspense, and one knows from the word go that things cannot possibly end well. From a chance encounter with a well meaning friend the story soon includes Geary’s family members as well as an unscrupulous person from his wife’s past. Each has his or her own motivation to rescue Geary. The problem is where does one draw a line between help and interference?
Having initially rated it four stars I am now rating it five as I enjoyed reading this well crafted and nicely written novel.
November 22, 2025
Holden Yayınlarının Kuytu serisi yine şaşırtmadı ...
John Wain’in Daha Küçük Bir Gökyüzü, modern insanın görünmez baskılarla çevrili hayatını, "normal" adı altında dayatılan davranış kalıplarını ve bunlara teslim olmayı reddeden bireyin yalnızlığını merkezine alan güçlü bir varoluşçu anlatı. Kitabın kahramanı toplum tarafından "normal" görülen yaşam tarzlarına mesafeli durdukça çevresindeki insanların onu "anormalliğe" doğru itmesi, aslında modern dünyanın sessiz bir trajedisi gibi işliyor.
Kitabın en çarpıcı yanı ise şu soruyu sürekli diri tutması: Toplumun normal sandığı şeyler gerçekten normal mi, yoksa sadece çoğunluk tarafından kabul edildiği için mi öyleymiş gibi davranıyoruz? Bu çoğunluğun sorgulanmayan alışkanlıklarına uymamak neden hemen “delilik” kategorisine alınıyor?
Daha Küçük Bir Gökyüzü, yalnızlığı güzelleştiren, bireyin içsel özgürlüğünü savunan ve modern dünyanın görünmez baskılarını sorgulatan bir roman. Yazar, insanın kendisi kalma çabasını sessiz ama çok etkili bir şekilde hatırlatıyor.
John Wain’in Daha Küçük Bir Gökyüzü, modern insanın görünmez baskılarla çevrili hayatını, "normal" adı altında dayatılan davranış kalıplarını ve bunlara teslim olmayı reddeden bireyin yalnızlığını merkezine alan güçlü bir varoluşçu anlatı. Kitabın kahramanı toplum tarafından "normal" görülen yaşam tarzlarına mesafeli durdukça çevresindeki insanların onu "anormalliğe" doğru itmesi, aslında modern dünyanın sessiz bir trajedisi gibi işliyor.
Kitabın en çarpıcı yanı ise şu soruyu sürekli diri tutması: Toplumun normal sandığı şeyler gerçekten normal mi, yoksa sadece çoğunluk tarafından kabul edildiği için mi öyleymiş gibi davranıyoruz? Bu çoğunluğun sorgulanmayan alışkanlıklarına uymamak neden hemen “delilik” kategorisine alınıyor?
Daha Küçük Bir Gökyüzü, yalnızlığı güzelleştiren, bireyin içsel özgürlüğünü savunan ve modern dünyanın görünmez baskılarını sorgulatan bir roman. Yazar, insanın kendisi kalma çabasını sessiz ama çok etkili bir şekilde hatırlatıyor.
May 20, 2025
Îmi plac cărțile (și evident, și autorii) care ridică semne de întrebare. Și nu neapărat din cele abstracte sau pur filosofice, ci mai degrabă existențiale, rupte din viața de zi cu zi, care trece pe lângă noi. Sau noi, marea majoritate, trecem, cu grație, pe lângă ea.
The Smaller Sky (Un cer mai mic, titlul din ediția în limba română, Colecția Globus, Editura Univers, 1980) se încadrează de minune în acest tipar.
Schema este una simplă. Un cetățean se plictisește de viața de zi cu zi și are o opțiune radicală. Renunță la slujbă și familie și alege o variantă radicală: se duce într-o gară, în ideea de a găsi noi senzații. Numai că lucrurile nu sunt așa cum par...
The Smaller Sky (Un cer mai mic, titlul din ediția în limba română, Colecția Globus, Editura Univers, 1980) se încadrează de minune în acest tipar.
Schema este una simplă. Un cetățean se plictisește de viața de zi cu zi și are o opțiune radicală. Renunță la slujbă și familie și alege o variantă radicală: se duce într-o gară, în ideea de a găsi noi senzații. Numai că lucrurile nu sunt așa cum par...
December 5, 2025
Bazı kitaplar vardır önce neden bunu anlatıyor ki yazar diye düşünürsün de sonunda sağlam bir tokat çarpar ya suratına bence bu da öyle bir kitap. Kitapta, evini ve işini terk ederek bir istasyondaki otele yerleşen Geary’nin hikayesine dışarıdan onu tanıyan insanların bakışı anlatılıyor. Kısacası toplum normlarını terk eden bir insana o toplumun nasıl muamele ettiğini, nasıl değerlendirdiğini gayet yükselen notalarla okuyoruz. Kitap beklediğimden çok daha akıcı ve anlaşılır bir şekilde alınmış.
"Kendimiz için yarattığımız bu çılgın karmaşada hangimizin gerçekten aklı başında ki?"
"Kendimiz için yarattığımız bu çılgın karmaşada hangimizin gerçekten aklı başında ki?"
June 19, 2023
The longer its been since i have read the book the more i tend to think about it. A book aptly named smaller sky about the need of a safe space. A space we well understand to help us function in a complicted, chaotic world.
May 22, 2024
Completely different from other of his books I've read, Winter in the Hills or Where the Rivers Meet. It's a short, interesting story about a guy off his nut. It kept me reading to the end, which is more than can be said for the other two books aforementioned.
November 7, 2021
The best book about a man who decides to live in a train station I’ve ever read.
August 8, 2024
A homeboi can’t ditch his wife and kids to become a loner anymore without the normies circling the wagons to tell you that it’s Very Bad.
May 16, 2025
It always amazes me when a book is named so specifically that you can only understand its meaning by diving into the story
May 19, 2025
adamcagizdan ne istediniz amk salin su adami isterse tren siker size ne
November 25, 2025
kaburga kemiklerinde kırık olduğunda alçıya alınmaz, tekrar tekrar dile getirilmesi rahatsız ediciydi
May 29, 2025
Arthur süper bir insan, herkesten bunalmış ve demiş ki ben bundan böyle istasyonda yaşayacağım bye. Kitaptaki sapkın irz düsmanı hırslı kuduruk ucube de almış arkasına kamera ekibini adamın yakasına yapışmış ya sabır.
kitabın topluma yabancılasma gibi daha derin boyutları oldugunun farkındayım ama işin özeti budur dostilerim.
kitabın topluma yabancılasma gibi daha derin boyutları oldugunun farkındayım ama işin özeti budur dostilerim.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2009
very interesting read. esp. for the time it was written in. i liked it.
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