Franklin is proud to announce the publication of Professor Emeritus RobertÌýH. McCormickÌýJr.'s newest book of short stories:ÌýSono Simón BolÃvar?:ÌýSette racconti.Ìý(Am I Simón BolÃvar?: Seven tales), a collection of seven short stories that accurately depicts various aspects of our daily lives. It all starts with simple concrete events, such as the purchase of a Swatch or a professor's sudden observation regarding one of his students. Then they move on to broader considerations, as in the case of the first short story, "Swatches and Time," where the narrator recounts his reflections on insomnia and time.ÌýÌý
An older, perhaps wiser narrator narrates and reflects on various aspects of our daily existence. Beyond his idiosyncratic conception of time, the reader finds himself sympathizing withÌýthe narrator's aversionÌýto noise, witnesses, with a wry smile, his multiple attempts to grow edible plants on the balcony, and understands all too well the frustration at the end of a long series of medical consultations. The narrator evenÌýtries to fathomÌýthe mysterious world of feelings aroused by a woman he has never met.ÌýÌý
In his effort to describe the series of events occurring in a circumscribed neighborhood community, the narrator wonders if his lofty aspirations are not like those of Simón BolÃvar toward the end of his life.ÌýProfessor McCormickÌýis also the author ofÌýPetrosÌý(2020) andÌý My Greek Café: Dieci mesi nelle Cicladi (My Greek Café: Ten Months in the Cyclades)Ìý(2022) and has lived in Lugano for many years. A graduate of the Sorbonne in Paris, he taught French Language and Literature for six years at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before settling in Ticino. For 23 years, he was a Literature and Creative Writing professor at Â鶹Éç.ÌýÌý
While at FUS, ProfessorÌýMcCormickÌýtaught Literature and Creative Writing courses, directed Academic Travels across four continents, served as a Faculty Advisor to The Literary Society and as student mentor. In addition, he organized five editions of the Caribbean Unbound conference that explored the history, politics, art, literature, religion, film, and music of the Caribbean and brought scholars and literary figures to the Franklin campus. ProfessorÌýMcCormickÌýretired from Â鶹Éç in 2011 but remains active in the literary world.ÌýIt should be noted, in that context, that the introduction to ProfessorÌýMcCormick's latest anthology was written by the well-known Haitian author who resides in Paris, Louis-Philippe Dalembert.
Sono Simón BolÃvar?: Sette raccontiÌýwill be available atÌýÌýand in local bookstores, includingÌýÌýin downtown Lugano, fromÌýTuesday, September 5. Two book-signings at the FNAC in downtown Lugano have been scheduled: the first one for Saturday, October 21st from 14:00 to 17:00, and the second for Friday, December 8. These occasions provide an opportunity for readers and enthusiasts in the region to engage with Professor McCormick and to explore the inspirations behind his narratives. Professor McCormick looks forward to discussing his works and sharing his insights with attendees about the experiences that have shaped his writing.
Sono Simón BolÃvar?: Sette racconti, as well as My Greek Café: Dieci mesi nelle Cicladi, are now available on .
All of his previous works, includingÌýPetrosÌý(2022) andÌýIo, nelle scuole pubblicheÌý(Me, In Public Schools) (2021), are also available onÌý. The Franklin community can soon enjoy these brilliant works of literature from one of our very own authors.