Portrait of Saint-Ex, a character in the novel The Hammock and the Hummingbirds by Karine Baridon.Saint-Ex in a scene from the novel
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Saint-ExAlistair, the one who knows the secrets of the sky

“You’ll catch your death.” (ch. 46)

“There’s a concert on the water tonight, would you like to come with me by boat?” (ch. 46)

“And may we keep laughing like this.” (ch. 46)

“May the wind carry us.” (ch. 46)

Find him in the book46

Who is he?

Coraline’s new partner

He’s the character Coraline didn’t write. A reader invented him for her, in the concert scene she had refused to write.

And he’s the exact opposite of the Viking: calm where the other thunders, gentle where the other imposes, present where the other threatened to leave. He doesn’t take up all the space, he gives it.

What he doesHe knows the stars, and he tells their stories while whispering absurd jokes.
Where they meetIn a pub in the Landes, in the rain. She’s soaked, he hands her a towel and a hot chocolate.
What he suggestsA concert on the water, by boat
What he isn’tA demigod. He doesn’t shout, he doesn’t decide for her, he doesn’t leave.

What Coraline says about him

“A calm, gentle man hands me a towel and a hot chocolate. I’ve hit the jackpot: human warmth, a gentle gaze, a sincere smile.” (ch. 46)

“He has the same kindness as Saint-Exupéry. Deep calm. Light humour.” (ch. 46)

What makes him memorable

First meeting — “Have you been swimming?” “No. I walked through a cloud.” And him: “You’ll catch your death.” (ch. 46)

“There’s a concert on the water tonight, would you like to come with me by boat?” (ch. 46)

3 wishes — “May the wind carry us.” “May the stars guide us.” “And may we keep laughing like this.” (ch. 46)

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