Dünyanın En Komik Adamı

by Cary Fagan, Damla Kellecioğlu (Translator)

On bir yaşındaki Norman Fishbein'ın hem baş belası ağabeyleriyle hem de kış mevsimiyle başı dertte. Ama "Fantastik Drajeler" yarışmasından bin dolar kazanınca onun için işler değişecek. Peki, kazandığı parayı ne yapsa? Ev ihtiyaçları için mi harcasa yoksa eğitimi için şimdiden biriktirse mi? Aslında Norman'ın tek bir dileği var: ailesiyle şahane ötesi bir tatil yapmak. Üstelik dünyanın en komik adamı Mort Ziff'le tanışacağı tropik iklimli, güneşli mi güneşli bir yerde!

Cary Fagan'ın yalın, samimi üslubu ve ince mizahıyla örülü Dünyanın En Komik Adamı hafızalarınızda yer edinecek, unutamayacağınız kitaplardan.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction

184 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2018

About the author

Cary Fagan has written numerous books for children, including What Are You Doing, Benny?, Little Blue Chair and Mr. Zinger's Hat, which was awarded the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the IODE Jean Throop Award. He has also won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work. Cary was born and raised in Toronto, where he continues to live with his family.

Reviews

[Lokum Çocuk Kutuphanesi · Rating 2 out of 5]

dunyanin en komik adaminin esprilerine guldum ama kitap neden yazilmis anlamadim :) yaz tatili ani odevi gibiydi biraz

[Seher Andaç · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ebeveyn dediğimiz şey tatilde bile tamamen mantıksız davranabiliyor. Her ne kadar yaklaşık dört saatimizi suyun içinde geçirmiş olsak da annem, akşam yemeğine gitmeden önce hepimizin duş alması konusunda ısrar etti.”
Bir ebeveyn olarak kendimle yüzleştim:)
Çok tatlı, müthiş akıcı ve odağına çocuğu bir birey olarak koymuş, nasihatsiz ve fekat meselesi olan şahane bir kitap.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Canadian youngster Norman Fishbein wins a $1000 in a contest in 1965, he decides he wants to spend the money on a family vacation to Miami Beach. Three all male siblings meet three all female siblings and the competition begins. Mort Ziff is a comedian playing at the resort hotel in which the families stay. The parents thought he was long dead, but he's just somewhat down on his luck. Norman and Amy Horvath try to help save Mort's job. It's a cute story, somewhat reminiscent of The Brady Bunch.

[Pop Bop · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Upbeat, Cheerful and Good-Humored Tale of a Decent Kid and a Family Vacation to Florida in the 60's

This book is not a lot of things -- It is not loaded with annoying sibling rivalry or bullying. It is not angsty or fraught. It is not some frantic/antic vacation adventure tale. It is not some lugubrious heart tugger. It is not about clueless or inept parents. It is not about some wisecracking genius hero kid. Excellent.

This is a kind, calm, cheerful, upbeat and ultimately rather touching tale about a kid whose selfless generosity and attitude makes everyone around him just a little bit happier. And it's not gummy or gooey or starry-eyed. The kid is a wide-eyed naif, but with decent instincts. He's alert and observant, and he's always trying to figure out what's going on. Right or wrong or somewhere in-between, he's a great companion and consistently interesting.

There's sort of a triple setup here. When Norman Fishbein wins a cash prize in a contest his parents let him decide how the money will be spent. He decides the whole family needs a vacation, and it needs to get out of Toronto and down to sunny Florida. So, ba-boom, the family is off to Florida, to a ritzy resort. By the time we get on the plane we know Norman, his folks, and Norman's two older brothers, (who tease and aggravate Norman in a low key sort of way). At this point the story could go anywhere in terms of tone and action.

When we get to Florida the basic feel is sunny and gee-whiz. Norman, his brothers, and his folks are fascinated and pleasantly surprised by everything, and the story is loose and sort of joyous. Hey, it's the mid-60's and everything is swell. At this point, though, we need a plot. Enter Mort Ziff. Mort is the ancient deadpan standup comic, (think Henny Youngman or Leonard Barr), who works at the resort. The running joke is that every time someone mentions his name the next person says, "Mort Ziff? Isn't he dead?". Anyway, Mort is going to be canned in favor of a Beatles tribute group, and Norman decides to save Mort's job. In a funny Romeo and Juliet side story, Norman has become very friendly with Amy even though Norman's brothers are feuding with Amy's sisters. So, Norman and Amy have to meet and work their magic on the sly.

That's it. At the end we all go home. But, I smiled as I read this; I liked remembering the 60's and times at the beach; I smiled and sort of missed the Fishbein family when I closed the book. Can't ask for much more than that.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Yaritza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short and funny story. Norman has two terrible bully brothers that are constantly mean to him. That would drive me nuts if I had brothers or sisters like them. Norman got lucky in guessing how many candies were in a jar. Ended up winning 1000.00 dollars. He thought long and hard what he wanted to do with the money. He might have annoying brothers but Norman is very thoughtful. He decides the whole family will go on vacation to Miami. The whole family goes on an adventure and run into Mort Ziff a comedian that everyone thought was dead. I love how story this teaches young readers on how to work together, friendship, thoughtfulness and adventures.

[Michael Kott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. For once a boy takes center stage. If you have a middle schooler consider getting him this book.

[Tugce Togo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cary Fagan
Dünyanın En Komik Adamı ve “Yılmazlık”

Hem yetişkin hem çocuk edebiyatı yazarı, çok çeşitli ödüllerin sahibi Cary Fagan’ın Mort Ziff Is Not Dead, son derece başarılı bir çeviriyle Tudem Yayınları’ndan çıktı.
Fagan’ın çocuk kitaplarındaki genel hava bana hep sanki kendi deneyimlerini kâğıda döküyormuş hissi veriyor. Bunu düşünmenin bize bir şey kazandırmayacağını bildiğim hâlde yazarın hayatını inceleme merakımın da üstesinden gelemiyorum tabii. Bir röportajında bu tuhaf soruyu kendisine yöneltmişler ve Fagan çok büyük nezaketle “çok da kendi çocukluğuna ait hikâyeler yazmadığını” belirtmiş. Biraz daha araştırınca Fagan’ın Dickens hayranı olduğunu öğrendim. Kitaplarındaki içtenlik, samimiyet de belki buradan kaynaklanıyor olabilir belki. Bu tuhaf merakım en azından bana bir soru kazandırdı: Bazı çocuk kitaplarında yazarın iyi bir klasik okuru olmasının getirdiği kendine has ama bir o kadar tanıdık atmosfer olduğunu söyleyebilir miyiz?
Norman orta gelirli bir ailenin en küçük çocuğu, kendisiyle sürekli uğraşan iki abisinin kıskacından kurtulmak için her şeyi deniyor. Hayal dünyası hayli geniş olan Norman’ın hayatının büyük çoğunluğu iki büyük abisine karşı verdiği mücadeleyle geçiyor desek yanlış olmaz. Norman, abileri Larry ve Marcus’un tüm “kaybettirme” çabalarına rağmen Fantastik Drajeler yarışmasını kazanır. İlk zamanlar Norman’ın bu yüklü miktarı nasıl harcayacağına dair türlü fikirleri oluyor; 1915 yapımı Bristol Scout marka uçak, davul seti, bir de dondurma makinesi... Hikâyenin ilerleyen bölümünde anne babanın da bu parayla ilgili Norman’la konuştuğunu okuyoruz. Orta hâlli çift, bir yandan bu yüklü miktarın çarçur edilmesinden endişe duyuyor bir yandan da çocuklarına asla baskı yapmak istemiyorlar. Yeni bir çatı yaptırmak ya da bozulup duran arabalarını yenilemenin de seçenekler arasında olduğunu, Norman’ın düşünceli(!) bir çocuk olduğunun da altını çiziyorlar. Norman’ın bir yetişkinin de son derece zorlanacağı bir sorunla mücadele ettiğini söyleyebiliriz; üstüne üstlük kendi kararlarını verme konusunda sınırlı haklara sahip küçük bir çocuk olarak hâkim olmadığı bir dünya önüne serilmişken... Norman’ın parayı harcama konusunda aldığı karar onu gerçek bir hikâye kahramanına dönüştürüyor.
Ne lüks oyuncaklar ne ailevi ihtiyaçlar... Norman parasıyla ailesini kolay kolay gidemeyecekleri kadar lüks bir tatile çıkarmak ister; ailesi de ona destek olur. Ve Miami Beach’te Lüks Palmiye oteline rezervasyon yaptırırlar. Oteldeki ilk günden itibaren, sıska ve Napolyon isminde küçük köpeği olan kel bir adam Norman’ın dikkatini çeker. Bu otelde bir de Amy ve kendi abileri gibi huysuz iki ablasıyla tanışırlar. Büyük kardeşler birbirilerine ilk andan itibaren “tıslayarak” karşılık verir ve bu çekişmeleri son derece masumane ve eğlenceli bir şekilde devam eder; fakat Amy ile Norman abi ve ablalarından habersiz arkadaş olurlar.
Mort Ziff, bir zamanların ünlü komedyenidir; popülerliğini yitirdiğinde bu otele yerleşmiş, uzun yıllardır da burada sahne almaktadır. Amy ile Norman; bir de sürekli çorba içen yaşlı çift gibi tek tük insan onu izlemeye bayılır. Derken yaşlılığı ve artık giderek “daha az komik” olması sebebiyle işinden edilir Mort Ziff. Norman ile Amy, çok sevdikleri Mort Ziff’in yerinin bu otel olduğunu düşünür; insanların da onun varlığından mutlu olduklarını otel sahibine kanıtlamak için plan yaparlar ve bu plan sadece Mort Ziff’in sorununa değil, büyük abi ve ablaların çekişmelerine de bir son verecektir.
Mort Ziff, kitabın başından bu yana bizim için gerçek bir “yılmazlık” örneği sergiler. Uzun yıllar komedyenlik yapıp, popülerliğini kaybeden biri olarak Ziff’in hâlinden son derece memnun, hiçbir konuda şikâyet etmeyen bir karakter olduğunu görürüz. Otelin ana salonundan atılıp küçük kafesinde sahne alma ihtimaline bile son derece olumlu yaklaşarak, bir kişiyi bile güldürmekten ne kadar memnun olduğunu söyler. Ziff’in yaptığı işi her şeye rağmen çok sevdiğini, aslında bu işi hiçbir zaman para için yapmadığı mesajını alırız; hiçbir didaktik unsura ve cümleye rastlamadan.
Bu yılmazlık unsuru Norman ve Amy önderliğinde kitaptaki tüm çocuklara dağıtılıyor. Norman’ın hikâyenin başında para karşısındaki tutumu, Lüks Palmiye’nin kâr etme hırsına karşı da sürüyor; Amy ile Norman sonunda Ziff’in ne kadar beğenilen bir komedyen olduğunu otel sahibine kanıtlıyorlar.
Kitap sonunda Miami Beach’te Louis Armstrong gibi önemli isimlerin lüks otellerde çalsa da buralarda kalamadığını öğreniyoruz. Norman, cennet gibi bir izlenim veren bu lüks yere bir zamanlar Yahudilerin de kabul edilmediğini öğrenir. (Yazarın bu konuyla ilgili sonda küçük bir açıklaması var)
Fagan, hayata dair en tatlı durumları ve en acı adaletsizlikleri bu küçük yolculuk hikâyesinde toplamış, sadece çocukların değil yetişkinlerin de okuması gereken bir edebiyata dönüştürmüş.
Kitap boyunca karşımıza çıkan kelime oyunları, kafiyelerin çevirisindeki başarı ve akıcılık kadar, bu edebi kıvraklığın yanında kitap isminin çevirisini de ticari bir başarı olarak görebiliriz.
Asla vazgeçmemek ve hayatı en eğlenceli şekilde hafife almak gerektiğini Mort Ziff’in şu soğuk esprisiyle özetleyelim:
“Hayatta yapacağım son şey ölmek olur!”

[Chazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story immensely. I thought I'd spread the reading over three sections, but wound up reading it in two. This is a book that I think kids could not only enjoy but also learn from. It tapped in to my time in the 1960s and some of the mind set.

It is winter in Toronto, Canada in 1965. Norman Fishbein lives with his two brothers, Marcus and Larry, and his parents. Being the youngest, Norman is subject to the teasing and tormenting of his older brothers. When Norman wins the $1000 prize in the "Guess-the-Doozy-Dots Contest" things take a subtle shift.

His brothers feel he should share his winnings with them...they are brothers, after all. His parents mention that the house could use a new roof, the family car isn't the most reliable and it might be a good idea to put some aside for his college education.

When his parents tell him that it is his money and he is the one that will make the decision on what will be done with it, it opens up a wide selection of "what-ifs." A set of drums? A "professional level" model plane kit with a six-foot wing span and a gas engine? A new bike?

When he sees an article in the local paper about the Beatles being in Miami Beach, Florida when they come to the U.S. for their second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, he realizes that his family has never had a really nice vacation and his winnings could pay for one!

Plans are made and off the family goes for sun, surf and sand. Flying south for a five day stay in a luxurious hotel, courtesy of Norman's winnings.

While in Miami Beach the Fishbeins meet the Horvaths, a family of three girls and their parents. The parents hit it off, but the kids are at that age where boys and girls don't really mix. A rivalry develops between the older kids, but...Norman and Amy, the youngest Horvath, become friends but don't let the older kids know so as not to put up with the teasing that would happen.

One day out at the pool, Norman notices an old man in a black suit with a small dog under his arm. The man looks out of place, and when Norman points him out to his dad he is told that the man is Mort Ziff, a legendary commedian and the unofficial mayor of Miami Beach. "I thought Mort Ziff was dead!" his dad remarks.

Turns out that Mort Ziff is and has been the entertainer at the The Royal Palm Dining Room, the hotel's fancy restaurant. Mort's style of delivery is deadpan and similar to Don Rickles, but without the heavy sharpness. Norman is fascinated by Mort Ziff and a friendship develops between the two.

When Norman finds out that Mort Ziff is being replaced by the Centipedes, a Beatles copy band, he decides to enlist the help of his brothers, Amy and her sisters to campaign to keep Mort Ziff performing.

Cary Fagan's description of the location, characters' activities and interactions made it easy to visualize what was going on. The kids were just kids and enjoyed experiencing a beach location and all it had to offer. The parents were part of the story more as guides, with the focus being on the kids and their activities. There were rules but there was also the freedom to enjoy.

The story also illustrated how competition can sometimes bring people into friendship. There can be a commonality in what the two parties are competing in.

I received this through the Early Reviewers Department

[Zach Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constructing a really good middle-grade novel (especially one that skews towards the low end of the spectrum) can be quite difficult. Not only does an author have to make the material interesting, but that material must also be written in such a way that eases comprehension. In the case of “Mort Ziff Is Not Dead”, Cary Fagan finds that perfect balance and the result is a fun romp of a novel.

For a basic plot summary, this book tells the story of Norman Fishbein, who in 1965 Canada wins $1000 at a “dumb mall contest”. After agonizing for awhile over what to do with the newfound fortune, Norman decides to take his family (two parents and two tormentor brothers) on a much-needed vacation to Miami Beach. After arriving at their posh hotel and taking in all the sights, the Fishbein brothers discover a similar trio of female siblings on an overlapping vacation, to which obvious hijinx ensues. Another key point of the trip is Norman and new friend Alice meeting down-on-his-luck comedian Mort Ziff, who they help get back on his feet again.

The hallmark of this book is author Fagan’s ability to make the writing really feel genuine to the pre-adolescent characters he is voicing. Not only does the writing sound like “authentic child-speak” (appealing to young readers right now), but it even holds up from a more adult perspective, as I never felt like the characters were being dumbed-down to appeal to a lower audience. Sure, the sometimes-madcap content and situations are trying to appeal to young readers, but the writing “plays up”, so to speak.

Also, “Mort Ziff” is just a really fun book to read. It deals with inter-family dynamics that are familiar to everyone, as well as exploring a “new world” (on vacation) and building relationships. I can’t call this a traditional “coming of age” tale, as the protagonists aren’t old enough for that distinction just yet, but if there was a story written right before a character’s coming of age, this would be it.

Overall, “Mort Ziff” is a great low-middle grade title that has the elasticity to appeal to struggling readers (because of the simple text and short length) as well as those more seasoned (the quality characters and themes). A great fit for middle school libraries, for sure.

[Eileen Charbonneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eleven year old Norman is growing up in a working class family in Toronto, 1965. His two older brothers seem to be rehearsing for life as the Three Stooges and bully Norman and each other relentlessly. Then Norman has a windfall. He enters a contest and wins one thousand dollars. After careful consideration, he decides to spend the money on an exotic vacation for his family…a plane ride and stay at a fancy hotel on Miami Beach for their winter school holiday.
Among the wonders there is Mort Ziff, an old vaudeville and radio-era comedian who is not exactly knocking ‘em dead in the hotel dining room every night. In fact, he’s about to be replaced by an imitation Beatles act. Norman and the youngest of three sisters from New Jersey, take a liking to Mort and scheme to help him get his job back even as their siblings spar in bitter competitions. By check-out time, Norman has both broadened his horizons and learned to stand up to his brothers.
This delightful story for middle graders is a great romp through life in the 60s as its delightful young hero stretches his wings and learns that kindness has many rewards.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a breezy, strange story of a boy who wins enough money to take his family to Miami for winter break, in 1965. Mort Ziff, the guy in the title of the book, is an old time Vaudeville comedian, and is playing at the posh hotel that Norman and his family are staying at. Only the owner does not think that his type of act is what draws the crowds any more.

It is a light story. Of course the kids save the day. There is a hint that not all is well beneath the surface of this paradise, but that is only brought up briefly by the black taxi driver. Otherwise, highjinks ensure.

Good narrative. I think middle-school readers will enjoy this book. I know that really, the point of the story was that Mort Ziff was very much alive, but throwing the bits about the prejudice of Miami was so slight, and so brief, that it makes me wonder if the author wanted to say more, then thought otherwise about it. A shame, really.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

After winning the prize for guessing the number of candies in a giant glass jar, Norman Fishbein treats his entire family to a trip to Florida. They travel to Miami Beach for Christmas and stay at millionaire Herbert Spitzer’s hotel, The Royal Palm. The entertainment at dinner is none other than the famous comedian Mort Ziff!

This book is set in the year 1965, and the descriptions of life back then are wonderful! For example, on the airplane, the flight attendant serves a lunch of breaded chicken, green beans, little potatoes, and chocolate pudding. To everybody! And it comes on real china with small silver knives and forks. Of course, since there isn’t the fear of hijacking that exists now, the flight attendant takes Norman to meet the pilots and see the cockpit.

This was a fun book to read. After hearing Mort Ziff live, Norman decides he will save the comedian’s career. Kids will enjoy reading about Norman’s attempts!

I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an old fashioned book that reminds me of the ones I would devour as a child by the shelf-load. A kid in mostly realistic family (the brothers are a bit exaggerated in their annoyance factor) has a small adventure. I enjoyed the details of flying in the laid-back past, with visits to the cockpit, and the freedom the kids had at their luxury hotel for the vacation. The matching family of sisters made the story work, even as it seems a bit improbable to my adult eye.

It was a fun and relaxing story that I'll be delighted to hand to a child, although to them it will probably seem historical, not pleasantly nostalgic like it was to me. I'm glad I received a copy of this to review.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mort Ziff Is Not Dead is the story told in the first person by the son of a Canadian Jewish family, Norman Fishbein. His older siblings, Marcus and Larry always give him a hard time until he wins a contest and with the money decides to take his family a free trip to Miami Beach.

A fun novel written on levels that will appeal to both young readers and adults. Children will relate to the kids in the story and their adventures, adults will have fun going down memory lane to a time of innocence.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the 1960's when the Beatles were popular, Mort Ziff is the story of Norman who has the great good luck of winning the Doozy Dots contest. He decides to use him winnings to bring his family on vacation in Miami Beach during the dead of winter in Toronto.
Charming and humourous, middle grade students will identify with being the youngest in a family of boys. While learning to protect himself from constant teasing, Norman makes friends with the youngest in a family of girls. Together they try to help Mort Ziff, an ageing comedian at the hotel.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

What does Norman Fishbein buy with the thousand dollars he wins in the guess The Dots contest. Amazingly he pays for his whole family, including his pesky brothers to vacation in Miami Beach. This cute and funny and easy to read story follows Norman as he finds a secret ally to help him deal with his brothers bullying and keep an old-time comedian on the stage. I loved the flow to the story but was a little disappointed in the easy ending.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, funny middle-grade read. My 10 yo also enjoyed it and sped through it. It was refreshing to come across a book that was well written and light hearted. Kids that act like kids. Families that aren't dysfunctional. And it was fun to think about what I would have done with a prize like that at that age... I wish I could say that I would have taken my family on a luxury vacation like the MC but probably not.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.)

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little story about three brothers on vacation.

Age 8+

[Ümit Mutlu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bay Karp derinliğinde değilse de oldukça eğlenceli bir kitap. Cary Fagan'ın ne kadar iyi bir çocuk yazarı olduğunu zaten biliyoruz..

[Kim Piddington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading tale of a family vacation wrought with sibling rivalry, where an awful lot happens in one week. Main character is sweet and kind.

[mandy winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book. Quick read. Feel good story.

[Nessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, funny, and fun.

[Luella Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the story was cute but I don't think kids of today can relate to that generation.

[Wensday · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read. I travel frequently for my job and sometimes I find myself loosing the joy of traveling. I found myself smiling and truly feeling the joy the family had on their vacation. Even with the dark under tone that's subliminally in the book, I found myself enjoying the story and the ending left me with a warm feeling.

I received this ebook from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

[T.J. Burns]

I received a copy of this book from Penguin Random House Canada via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Victoria Peipert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is a sweet testament to friendship and caring for others. I loved the characters and the writing was very easy to digest. I would definitely recommend this book to boys and girls. This would be a very fun and quick read for beginner middle school readers.

[Heather McLaughlin]

Sweet. Fun. Definitely a book I would recommend for any YA reader of about the same age as Norman.