Portrait of the journalist, a character in the novel The Hammock and the Hummingbirds by Karine Baridon.The journalist in a scene from the novel
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The Hero of the MicA professional journalist who asks the questions: the third voice of the book

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“They’re here together on stage for you, in the flesh—or rather, in ink and on paper! I have the honour of welcoming Coraline Goldman and her famous VIIIIIKING! Give them a big round of applause!” (ch. 1)

“As an expert in verbal diarrhoea, you could have opened a pub theatre!” (ch. 19)

“Moral: if the battering ram breaks down the door… you can always climb out of the window.” (ch. 19)

“Tell me, aren’t you a bit schizophrenic, playing every part in your own novel?” (ch. 27)

“90% of profiles with no description, that’s dismal!” (ch. 3)

“After the mirror episode, you could have got out of the drak-car…” (ch. 4)

“A pied-noir accent… that’s handy, your family is waiting in the wings.” (ch. 5)

“Already? But they’ve only just left!” (ch. 6)

“And that towing business, not too hard on the back?” (ch. 9)

“Well, someone has to give the news! The papers have to report on the trains that run late!” (ch. 10)

“So, you want to rescue the damsel in distress to get even with the big bad wolf of a boss?” (ch. 16)

“Like Rocky, minus the sleep and the sweat!” (ch. 19)

“It’s true your haircut is rather… inimitable!” (ch. 27)

“And what about you, having a little limescale tantrum?” (ch. 32)

“Compassion without limits, is that emotional volunteering?” (ch. 43)

“Did you hold a board meeting with your fears?” (ch. 43)

“You get high… on laughing?” (ch. 44)

“Political question: right, left, or cocktail?” (ch. 46)

Find him in the book134566b79101112131516171920b2122232526272830313233353839414344454647

Who is he?

A quick, funny journalist with just the right word at just the right moment. On neither side, he enjoys the spicy exchanges, stirs them up again when they cool down and stops them when they go too far.
What he lovesTheir spicy exchanges. “Let’s talk about your rows, it’s funnier!” (ch. 16)
The lookNo physical description in the book. All we know of him is his voice and his obvious delight in asking questions. That’s deliberate: he stands in for the reader — his face was drawn for the website, not for the novel.
What he doesHe hosts the entertainment show Sunday Is Showtime!
Who he welcomesThe author Coraline Goldman and her fictional character, the Viking, for the release of the novel The Hammock and the Hummingbirds. “It’s a first, and we’re very proud of it!” (ch. 1)
WhereLive on the stage of the concert taking place that evening.
His methodOne question, then he lets them run. When it goes off the rails, he gets them going again.

What he brings to the book

A show run from start to finish, from the first chapter to the last.

He opens. “So, let’s get right to the heart of the matter.” (ch. 1)

He relaunches. “A promise is a promise, let’s talk about the film.” (ch. 27)

He rules. “Moral: if the battering ram breaks down the door… you can always climb out of the window.” (ch. 19)

He closes the show with Bernard Pivot’s questionnaire, over the closing credits. “Thank you to the Viking and Coraline Goldman for your good humour. Thank you to the audience. And see you next Sunday for another… Sunday Is Showtime!” (ch. 47)

The last word of the book goes to Coraline.

What about you?

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