Ο νάνος αστρονόμος

by Chet Raymo, Ανδρέας Β. Βαχλιώτης (Translator)

Ο Φρανκ Μπουά είναι σαράντα ετών και σαράντα τρεις ίντσες ψηλός. Οι πόθοι του όμως απλώνονται απύθμενοι όπως ο νυχτερινός ουρανός που παρατηρεί από τη σοφίτα του στο Κορκ της Ιρλανδίας. Ο Νάνος Αστρονόμος είναι η ιστορία του και θα αιχμαλωτίσει τη συγκίνηση μας από την πρώτη προκλητική γραμμή του μέχρι το αναπάντεχο τέλος του.

Μόνο ο Τσετ Ράυμο, ο γεννημένος ποιητής φυσιογνώστης θα μπορούσε να πλάσει αυτόν τον τόσο εξωφρενικό και θελκτικό ήρωα, που βρίσκει παρηγοριά στη μοναξιά του στην ομορφιά των άστρων. Το 1945, τα Αμερικανάκια GI, επιστρέφοντας στην πατρίδα τους με το οπλαγωγό Καλιφόρνια, έμπασαν λαθραία στο πλοίο μια δεκαεξάχρονη γαλλίδα, την Μπερναντέτ, που τους ξεπλήρωσε την υποχρέωση της με τη σεξουαλική εύνοια της. Την ανακάλυψε όμως κάποιος αξιωματικός και η Μπερναντέτ αποβιβάστηκε στο Κορκ Χάρμπουρ, όπου και τελικά ξέμεινε, έγκυος απένταρη, μόνη.

Το μωρό της, ο Φρανκ, γεννήθηκε καμπούρικο και παραμορφωμένο. Τώρα, μετά από χρόνια, ο Φρανκ περνάει στη διασημότητα. Έχει γράψει ένα ημερολόγιο που είναι και στοχασμός γύρω από την ομορφιά και την ανισότητα, τον έρωτα και τον αμέτρητο πόνο. Η μεταπήδηση από τη μαύρη απομόνωση της δυσμορφίας στις λάμψεις της δημόσιας αναγνώρισης χρωματίζεται από το οδυνηρό παρελθόν του, όταν μοναχικό αγοράκι μετρούσε τις μέρες που περνούσαν με εκλείψεις σελήνης, βροχές από διάττοντες και επισκέψεις κομητών.

Καθώς εκτυλίσσεται η ιστορία, μαθαίνουμε τα μυστικά της τραγικής παιδικής ηλικίας της Μπερναντέτ στην κατεχόμενη από τους Ναζί Γαλλία. Την ερωτική και καταστροφική σχέση της με τους τρεις άντρες που διαμόρφωσαν με τη σειρά τους τη ζωή του γιου της. Το πάθος του νεαρού Φρανκ για ένα κορίτσι όμορφο και μαγικό σαν ελαφίνα στο δάσος, που ο ίδιος ο Φρανκ θεωρεί μακρινό και απλησίαστο όσο τ' άστρα. Όλα αυτά μέσα στο πράσινο και καταχνιασμένο υφάδι μιας Ιρλανδίας όπου είναι δυνατά όλα τα θαύματα.

Genres: Fiction, Ireland, Irish Literature, Historical Fiction, Novels, Literature, Contemporary

281 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Chet Raymo (born September 17, 1936 in Chattanooga, Tennessee) is a noted writer, educator and naturalist. He is Professor Emeritus of Physics at Stonehill College, in Easton, Massachusetts. His weekly newspaper column Science Musings appeared in the Boston Globe for twenty years, and his musings can still be read online at www.sciencemusings.com.

His most famous book was the novel entitled The Dork of Cork, and was made into the feature length film Frankie Starlight. Raymo is also the author of Walking Zero, a scientific and historical account of his wanderings along the Prime Meridian in Great Britain.

Raymo was the recipient of the 1998 Lannan Literary Award for his Nonfiction work.

Reviews

[philosophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

[Jess Van Dyne-Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked it up for the title. (Say it to yourself. The Dork of Cork. The Dork of Cork. What are you reading? The Dork of Cork.) Fell into a very good (but wordy) story of a dwarf with a passion for the stars. A clever read.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago I watched an Irish movie called Frankie Starlight and loved it. A few years later, I discovered that it was based on a book by Chet Raymo called The Dork of Cork. It’s about a dwarf who grows to manhood and publishes a book, called Nightstalk, based on his observations of the stars. It’s also about his slightly mad French mother, an Irish immigration officer who loves them both, and Frankie’s journey to find acceptance and love. It’s a sweet story of love and redemption that will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to have discovered Chet Raymo. This book has beautiful characters, lines that you want to re-read or memorize, astronomy (not astrology...as you'll see) all told from the perspective of a very unusual character whom you will love by the end of the book.

[Chris Tiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel reminds me why I love books so much. Chet Raymo has created characters that will stay with me for years. It’s one of those books that, quite simply, is about life. I haven’t had a book creep up on me quite like this since “A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving and it’s taking a spot on my shelf next to Owen and will be one of the few books I revisit from time to time to sample the wisdom.

[Padraic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure about this one. Raymo is an astronomer writing fiction. That's bad. But his hero is three feet tall. THat's good. But he's an American writing about Ireland. That's bad. But he avoids the pitfalls of looking homeward, angel. That's good.

See what I mean?

Honestly? I liked it. It made me laugh. 30.

[Vivienne Strauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story telling at its best!

[Ολυμπιάδα · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ανυπομονούσα να ξεκινήσω το βιβλίο καθώς μου φάνηκε αρκετά ενδιαφέρον το να διαβάζουμε για έναν νάνο συγγραφέα που μιλάει για τα άστρα. Απογοητεύτηκα όμως.
Υπήρχαν κομμάτια τα οποία μου άρεσαν και η γραφή θα μπορούσε να είναι το δυνατό σημείο του βιβλίου αν δε γινόταν συνεχώς εναλλαγή του αφηγητή, ακόμα και από σελίδα σε σελίδα. Προκαλεί μια αίσθηση αστάθειας.

Ο πρωταγωνιστής, θύμα της δυσμορφίας του, αδυνατεί να πάρει πρωτοβουλίες, να κάνει πράγματα για την ζωή του. Σίγουρα όχι ένα role-model. Προφανώς ο πρωταγωνιστής ενός βιβλίου δε θα είναι πάντα ένα πρόσωπο που ο αναγνώστης θα πρέπει να θαυμάζει αλλά λόγω της καταθλιπτικής του φύσης και το γεγονός πως αποδέχεται την δυσμορφία του και τον τρόπο που τον κοιτούν όλοι με τέτοια μιζέρια, απωθεί οποιοδήποτε συναίσθημα συμπόνιας προς αυτόν. Προσπαθεί να προβάλλει τον εαυτό μου με τον συνεχή σχολιασμό για το μέγεθος του πέους του και το γεγονός πως γράφει για την Πένγκουιν. Ναι οκέι, το κατλάβαμε τις πέντε πρώτες φορές που το είπες. ΦΤΑΝΕΙ!

Οι γυναίκες παίζουν κυρίαρχο ρόλο στην ιστορία. Η μητέρα του Φρανκ, η Μπερναντέτ, θα μπορούσε να θεωρηθεί και η πρωταγωνίστρια, αφού ουσιαστικά ο ίδιος δεν είχε τίποτα να πει για την δική του ζωή και συνεχώς μιλούσε για την δική της.
Όλες είναι ΠΑ-ΝΕ-ΜΟ-ΡΦΕΣ! Είναι τόσο όμορφες που όταν τις κοιτάνε τα αρσενικά, πέφτουν κάτω! Συνεχώς αποζητούν σεξουαλική επαφή (ακόμα κι αν δυο βδομάδες πριν μέχρι και το άκουσμα τέτοιας πράξης τους προκαλούσε αποστροφή!). Γενικά, οι γυναίκες δεν είναι και οι πιο θετικές παρουσίες μέσα στο κείμενο. Είναι προβληματικές, κακόβουλες και μπορούν να κάνουν ό,τι θέλουν τους άντρες. Θεωρώ πως ο Ράυμο προσπαθούσε με κάποιο τρόπο να εξιλεώσει αυτή την αρνητική αποτύπωση της γυναικείας φύσης με το να κάνει την Μπερναντέτ τόσο αθεράπευτα ανεξάρτητη κάτι που αποτυγχάνει παντελώς με το να την βάζει να αυτοκτονεί και μόνο στην ιδέα πως το δεύτερο παιδί της θα βγει νάνος !

[Books and the Bronx Gurrrrlll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read, and it's in my Top 3 favorites. The author, Chet Raymo, is a professor at a small college in MA. He has his own blog, and he writes about religion, the stars (he's an amateur astronomer), and philosophy, somehow combining them all. The book's protagonist is a dwarf, who is also an amateur astronomer who lives in Cork, Ireland. Surrounding him is a wonderful cast of characters and a lovely, poignant plot. It will stick with you long after you've finished it.

[Tara C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I push this book on everyone. The story of a dwarf astronomer in Ireland is gorgeously written. I can read it over and over and never tire of it.

[Shellie Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. One of my top ten.

[Mark Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been so long since I read this, but I was recently reminded of it. I remember it as sweet, optmistic, and a lovely tale of humanity.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book, despite the tragic dog scene. I have a signed copy

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this novel in a used bookstore in Butte, Montana (a city with a long and storied history of Irish immigrants who came, especially from County Cork, to work the mines) and when I went to buy it the clerk said, "I keep hoping every St. Patrick's Day that someone will buy this book." Well, I didn't buy it because of that (it was November), and I had to overcome my initial snootiness about the title ("could a book with that title be any good?") to buy it, but I'm glad I did. This is a strange and wonderful tale that weaves together intense sensuality with anguish of soul and astronomy. If that combination doesn't make sense to you, toss in the fact that the central character is a dwarf with a French mother and unknown American father who grows up in Cork quite by accident and you have the makings of a most unusual narrative. Sprinkle in some thoughtful philosophical musings on death, beauty, being, and God, and you have a rather mesmerizing tale indeed. I loved it.

[Kathy O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate Chet Raymo’s book for it’s thoughtful exploration of science, religion, love, family, philosophy, beauty/art, and sex. It is typical of Irish literature with respect to these themes being explored, and considered together, but Raymo is more optimistic than most Irish literature, as Raymo finds the places in our lives where all of these themes co-exist, collide, and reconfigure to more or less happy endings. The optimism may be due to Raymo being a white American male by birth and culture, nevertheless it is a welcome thread in the book. This fictional story is a thought provoking and fun read with some mad-cap characters as well as characters who are tragic, beautiful, differently abled, learned, evil, and especially psychically tortured (this latter being typical of Irish lit).

[Tom Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I put this book on my to read shelf randomly and have now finally read it. It's a wonderful book written with intelligence, humor, wisdom and style. Raymo as a scientist brings a goodly amount of beautifully written sentences about the stars and with that, our place in the universe. As a scientist, he also writes about the everyday human condition with poetic knowledge. I wish that he had written more fiction,as he excels in the written word.

[Romi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m torn about this one. Certainly an interesting read. How could a book about a dwarf astronomer in Ireland not be intriguing? And yet I found myself skipping pages at times. I liked, but didn’t love, him and I couldn’t find any way to feel for his mother or other characters. The book had a standoffish feel in that way.

[Jeannie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! The title grabbed and hooked me. I didn’t know what to expect and that may be the best thing about the book. Well, that and the characters. Lots of life and love and heartache and twists. It was a pleasure to read. (And I hear it was made into a movie quite awhile back so I’ll be looking for it.)

[Gail Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed to start out strong but for me it fizzled out. Thought of not finishing but have vowed to stick with books to the end- awaiting some redeeming value. It came together slowly- as was my reading of this book- it did not “hook” me so I had no drive to read it. Perhaps if I had not read it in a disjointed manner i would have appreciated it more

[Gord Stabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story of dwarf’s path to manhood from childhood and his understanding of the nuances of affection and fame. Augmented by the boy-man’s fascination with astronomy and social history. Set in post WW2 Ireland.

[Ivan Stoner · Rating 2 out of 5]

First half is a fine way to kill a few hours, pretty nice prose, though author is a bit too in love with his own writing. Second half gets pretty cringey with some serious manic pixie dream girl stuff.

[Karen Koenig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that I had to think about. I liked it!

[Jennifer Osburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bittersweet at times. I also learned a few things about little people I didn't know. I also liked it from a historical point of view.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and a great ending. Interesting perspective about beauty and believing you can’t have something. It is a quick read and well written. I really enjoyed it.

[Maria Bache · Rating 4 out of 5]

Underholdende og elskelig - romanen portrætterer skæve eksistenser med kærlighed

[Arlette · Rating 3 out of 5]

at times the story really dragged

[Karen Burkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book.

[Frank Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book, published in 1994, on a table at Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago. So glad that happened, wonderful from start to finish

[Mark Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book much more than I expected. Disappointed in the ending.

[Audiobook Accomplice (Gillian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique protagonist, gorgeous prose… oh my… how UN-engaging…
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