Celestial Mechanics: a tale for a mid-winter night

by William Least Heat-Moon

When Silas Fortunato applies for an editorial position for the “spirituality” section of a local newspaper, he is asked to fill in a bubble sheet to mark his religion. The problem is, his beliefs don’t fall within any of the categories. Silas believes that selflessness enlarges vision and that what a person should strive for is to be overcome by the beyond. He believes in honoring otherness and in giving questions credence over certainty. He calls himself a Cosmoterian because his goal is to make himself worthy of the majesty of Cosmos. Silas is a man driven by big ideas, but it is the everyday smallness that perpetually both intrigues and eludes him.

In this emotional tale of haunted love, Silas finds himself locked in a marriage descending toward darkness until the arrival of his sister-in-law and soon thereafter the appearance of a witching neighbor who may or may not be alive. In ways enigmatic, ghostly, and funny, the three women draw him into the equivocal nature of dreams and reality, their influences leading Silas on a journey toward what may be light and a new belonging to something vastly beyond himself.

Just as William Least Heat-Moon’s nonfiction employs many fictional narrative techniques, Celestial Mechanics draws upon nonfictional devices to build a story that crosses traditional boundaries between the two. Celestial Mechanics is the clarion call of a generation that believes rationality and spirituality can—and should—coexist, a generation defined by globalization, where the only things left unknown are what is within and beyond us, those cosmic realms revealed by the telescope and the quantum world suggested by the microscope. This book is for those of us steeped in a hustle-and-bustle world we can’t escape, who believe that practices like mindfulness and rational deduction and childlike wonder are the keys to the kind of fulfillment that the commercial aspects of our lives can never hope to address. 

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Philosophy

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2017

About the author

From wikipedia:

William Least Heat-Moon, byname of William Trogdon is an American travel writer of English, Irish and Osage Nation ancestry. He is the author of a bestselling trilogy of topographical U.S. travel writing.

His pen name came from his father saying, "I call myself Heat Moon, your elder brother is Little Heat Moon. You, coming last, therefore, are Least." Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Heat-Moon attended the University of Missouri where he earned bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees in English, as well as a bachelor's degree in photojournalism. He also served as a professor of English at the university.

Reviews

[Clif Hostetler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novel enhanced with a philosophical dimension. The book's plot provides a cast of characters interacting and being human that serves as the framework of conversations, thoughts and ruminations within which topics such as the meaning of life, dreams, the spiritual, the paranormal, and cosmic wonder can be explored.

The book's story follows a male protagonist who is an amateur astronomer, calls himself a cosmoterian, and has a professional background in journalism. The book's narrative tells of his relationship with five alternative female muses:

Muse No. 1—His wife who soon after marriage becomes distant, so distant that she disappears and it's not certain whether she's dead or alive—This muse ends up being a negative muse because she doesn't share many of the protagonist's interests and her disappearance ultimately becomes the cause of his depression.

Muse No. 2—His sister-in-law who has left perpetual adoration at a Catholic convent to assist our protagonist recover from a serious accident—This muse provides a judgement on Catholicism as being too narrow.

Muse No. 3—A mysterious practitioner of witchcraft who serves in the role of counselor and disappears (or maybe not) when her services are no longer needed—This muse provides the dimension of witchcraft.

Muse No. 4—A Las Vegas dancer with a special needs child with whom our protagonist corresponds—This muse puts a human face on those of her profession.

Muse No. 5—A woman from an Iowa seed company about whom the reader knows is not a real person—This muse shows how belief in something, even if not real, can provide a healing influence one's life. The irony is that our protagonist would never consider having equivalent faith in God. The book ends with him actually meeting No. 5, and it's not clear to the reader (or at least not to me) which real person has taken her imaginary place.

It's difficult to provide a summary description of the philosophical dimension mentioned in the first sentence of this review. It perhaps would be more descriptive to describe it as metaphysical. It starts with scientific concepts such as astrophysics and subatomic particles and then branches into pondering on the nature of being, becoming, existence, and reality. The narrative delves into dreams, apparitions, the occult, and magical thinking. The extent to which the author included "witchism," in the story indicates that the subject must be of importance to him.

Readers who identify closely with these character's interests and their quests will probably enjoy this book. My own reaction to the book is more distant. I appreciate the amazing collection of thoughts and ideas that the author has managed to squeeze into this book, but it's not quite my cup of tea.

The quotes and questions contained within the following link were prepared by David Nelson in preparation for a meeting of the group Vital Conversations. It's not really a "spoiler," but rather is the tool I have available to make supplemental material available for those interested and willing to click for more information.

——— Celestial Mechanics
By William Least Heat-Moon
Quotes and Questions selected by David Nelson
For Vital Conversations November 14, 2018

Releasing Conversation: Share your name. Do you prefer reading fiction or non-fiction? Give one reason for your answer.

“Much of what follows is factual, and some has been actual.” What is the difference between factual and actual? “Those lacking imagination take refuge in reality.” – Jean-Luc Godard, Goodbye to Language, 2015. Is your imagination staying active?

“Silas, while an editor, came to refer to himself as an Othertarian, a disciple of otherosophy and the study of the otherhood of humankind.” (p.30) What does that mean to you? Explain.

“Writing about Dr. Isabella Longworth…Silas cited her book Ten Sutric Questions, each beginning, CAN WE:
Eradicate our simpleton within so that we can be remade wiser?
Embrace religious instruction without indoctrination or inoculating?
Practice a faith that does not tether the mind?
Avoid curling up cozy with self-deceit?
Recognize that consensus is not necessarily truth?
Beware a faith requiring denials?
Leave no gaps between belief and conscience?
Help one who argues ‘God is dead’ toward a great definition of the divine?
Avoid seeing our neighbor’s holy man as an infidel?
Remember the finest practical gift of intelligent religion is tolerance?” (p. 36)
Why did these thoughts upset the readers of the Star-Observer? Which ones challenge your faith/thinking?

“A Cosmoterian doesn’t worship. Or pray. He chooses to respect and honor, and that required understanding and empathy --- endeavors considerably more challenging than worship or prayer…How could God be anything less than everything and still be God? A word carelessly used – say pantheist or atheist – can disrupt thinking and corrupt terms into hostile labels.” (p.96) “Cosmoterians are members of the Oft Reformed, Frequently Reorganized, Happily Unorthodox Church of Probability where questions superseded opinions.” (p. 172) “In Norse mythology the original human is named Ask.” (p. 110) Share some thoughts about your understanding of worship, prayer, respect, and honor. Can we avoid hostile labels?

Why did Silas decide to risk a hot air balloon ride?

Notation on a page torn free and placed inside the leather cover: “To whom it may concern: My existence is a sinkhole I cannot climb out of. I have a play I no longer believe in. I have excelled at a single thing this year – deceiving myself. If only unrequited ardor would generate abated ardor. The icehouse calls. I bequeath all I leave behind to Celeste Heppermann who did what she could, and for that I am grateful.” “It was signed and – incorrectly dated. Was it a suicide note-cum-will?" (p. 270) Was it a suicide note, or could it be something else?

“Fundamentalism succeeds by making true believers thrive on intolerance. And let’s keep in mind why it’s called fundamentalism…Because it’s expelled from a horse’s fundament…I’d prefer cosmological talk to the scatological…beheading can be done with a blade or with more subtlety. Threats, repression, mockery, indoctrination, excommunication, book burning. And especially, especially, lazy thinking.” (p.323) Why is fundamentalism still such a popular religious position in our world?

“George Washington Carver said the wonderful secrets he discovered lay within each plant, but to elicit them he first had to love the plant. As gardeners, we should ask what we want of our garden. The best gardens begin in the heart, and the best gardeners are those happy to swap a few ripe strawberries today for bird song tomorrow? (p.358) What does that suggest to you?

“To fairest Celeste who has engineered a man’s return. To my celestial mechanic? (p.369)
What is a “celestial mechanic” and why did Silas and perhaps all of us need one?

“Pioneering psychologist William James called religion a ‘feeling of being at home in the universe.’…Our tendency has been to pretend that the Universe is how we wish our home would be, rather than to revise our notion of what’s homey so it embraces the Universe.
--Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot, 1994” (p.387) What is the difference?

How has this read challenged, adjusted, reinforced, altered your place in the universe?
What questions do you bring to our Vital Conversation that can add value to others and to yourself?
———

[Joshua Scheer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here you'll find a brief, spoiler-free review, and first I'll disclose that I was one of the Goodreads giveaway winners of an advance copy of the book.

In summary, Celestial Mechanics: A Tale for a Mid-Winter Night was both beautiful and frustrating. And it served me well on many mid-winter evenings this last month. Without a doubt it's a strange one, but I'd expect no less from Heat-Moon. None of what he's done is conventional. Philosophy geeks should thoroughly enjoy it and might get more out of it than the average reader. It made me want to go back to school. Heat-Moon's prose is brilliant, especially in the second half of the book. Though there are moments that feel more cookie-cutter that I would have wanted. Get through the first couple chapters and you'll be very much rewarded.

I want to say more, but I don't want to give away more. This is a book that definitely rewards unspoiled reading and will likely even further reward a second reading. It's moving, thought-provoking, ponderous, beautiful, and frustrating. Let it take you on a surreal ride. You might not be sure what you read in the end, but it's definitely worth it.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by the author and I was 100% guilty of judging it by its cover-I grabbed it off the shelf in the library because I miss a good hardcover book with a captivating cover! It didn't disappoint, either. Odd, thought-provoking, and written with beautiful prose, I really liked it. I actually found myself wishing I had read it for a class or book club so that I could discuss it with others. Favorite line: "Astrology is for those bored by astronomy but fascinated with themselves." Perfect!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book quite unlike any other I've read. An interesting and understandable discussion of cosmology as well as an interesting mystery. Heat-Moon's language is more ornate than most authors these days, but my father wrote in this style, so it was familiar and understandable for me. Ready to step out of the usual fiction box? Try this story on for size. I won't summarize the plot because I'm sure many others have done so. Will be seeking out more of this author's work.

[Bobbie N · Rating 4 out of 5]

32-year-old Silas Fortunato falls in love and brings his new wife to his newly-renovated home, the recently settled rural estate of his great aunt, where he can pursue his love of nature and astronomy. But after a while she gets bored and finds a job in town, and their marriage soon begins to fall apart. Enter his sister-in-law, an aspiring nun, and a wiccan neighbor, and Silas' philosophical musings become a quest for meaning as he journeys into the vastness of the Universe and the depths of his own being. Quirky and fascinating.

[Yen Fong]

Intriguing! The book invites you into the tale with the luxurious language!

[Will Plunkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this is your first William Least Heat-Moon book, set it down, read at least one (preferably all of them!) of his others first, then start Celestial Mechanics. You will appreciate this one more.

I always love his word play, his history that somehow seems natural and germane to the story and characters/individuals, his geography (thanks for the map of the novel's areas near the beginning chapters), his interconnectedness of story and people.

Yeah, the characters are annoying at times (you know, many humans are, too) and the dialogue doesn't sound typical, but that's because the story involves how individuals deal with annoying (to say the least) and atypical issues. It's a Socratic discourse in some ways, Paulo Coelho-esque journey of self-discovery, with a dash of magical realism tossed in for flavor.

[Michael Beanland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first physical hard cover novel that I've finished in a long while, so that is evidence in and of itself of how entranced I was by the story and the writing and the characters.
It is an unusual love story in that it tells of love and misbegotten love from a man's point of view for the most part. Silas Fortunato is a man who thinks and talks his way through the world depending on his intellect to understand all things. His weakness is a tendency to mis-feel (or would it properly be mal-feel) that leads him to marry the wrong woman--one genetically disposed to be aggravated by his intellect and words and constant desire to understand the world.
He loses her, then almost loses himself, then finds the better version of his love in the form of her sister. In the end his intellect learns to defer to his heart. A lesson many of have never learned.
MLB

[Blaine Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heat-Moon has crafted a wonderful tale of self-discovery, mixing in ontological and spiritual musings that enhance - even dominate - the story. The dialog is so clever and profound that it makes the characters seem less real than their ideas, but this is a novel that explores what's real, so the disconnect works.

[Marney Hawes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads more like a great philosophical, cosmic discussion than a novel at times. Great change of pace. Lots of food for thought.

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read one other book by this author, PrairyErth, which I loved I think especially because I'm from Kansas. This book was nothing like that one and it took a long time for me to get into. It seemed to be trying too hard to find some meaning in a bad marriage and somehow connect it to the cosmos. I had to struggle to keep reading it because of the dialogue that didn't make any sense most of the time. The last quarter of the book seemed more together and came to an ending that was if not unexpected, at least not irrational.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters in this book began to grate on me. So much so that I didn't want to continue reading. It started to feel preachy and so I've gone back to my fantasy novels, the Malazan Book of the Fallen. Much different. This is certainly good writing though.

[Elsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a little difficult to get into, to find the thread of the story.

[Dennis Gerwing · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 and 1/2 stars .... no wait, 5. Just a little tedious in a few spots, but for the most part a fascinating read with interesting ideas ... and some humor thrown in here and there.

[Susan Banner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was finished with the book before the book was finished. After a valiant effort, I relegated it to the not to be completed shelf.

[Bern J · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's one of my favorite writers. Celestial Mechanics doesn't disappoint

[Susan Shore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting departure for one who writes on human geography. But as one cannot physically travel to write of the cosmos, the fictional setting is quite appropriate.

[Mark Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent but somewhat hard to get thru kind of book. I also read and Re read the ending twice without completely figuring out who the person/woman was that told him Cmon let’s go home?