César Aira's newest novel in English is not about a conventional doctor. Single,in his forties, and poor, Dr. Aira is a skeptic. His personality - his weaknesses,whims, and pet peeves - is summed up in a series of digressions and regressions but he has a very special gift for miracles. He no longer cares about miracles,however, and has no faith in them. Perhaps he is even a little ashamed about his supernatural powers. Such is Dr. Aira, who also has to confront his arch-enemy- chief of the Piñero Hospital, Dr. Actyn - who is constantly trying to prove that Dr. Aira is a charlatan. Poor Dr.