Customer Reviews

God And Mr. Gomez

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Both Jack Smith and Mr. Gomez have passed on from this life. Thanks to Jack's gifted writing ability, you can experience the culture, beauty and patience pace still to be found in Baja California. I have been there and seen the house, the road, the federalli check point, the cliffs and the fishing village. I have had the good fortune to have stayed in a home near Jack's and met others who followed Jack's column in the LA Times during those years of construction of his "mansion". I have searched used book stores and bought on-line used copies while new books have not been published since 1997. I am so glad it is back in print so I can recommend it to my friends. Great reading and funny too!

"God and Mr. Gomez", while not a recent book by a long shot is a timeless read. It is written in the hilareous style that only Jack Smith can pen. You blend in with the characters and it being a true story makes it all the more interesting and satisfying. A great read for summer, or anytime

The story begins as Jack Smith, one of the best writers ever at the LA Times and his wife venture down to Baja in search of the perfect getaway. The simple concept evolves into a complex relationship between the Smiths, Mr Gomez, the promoter-builder-friend-cultural bridge and God. By the time the house is finished all three have been stressed to the max.

This is a wonderful gift for anyone, especially someone wanting to build or refurbish that perfect getaway. Also a wonderful bridge from the culture of the north to the pace of Baja.

Highly recommended, good used copies are scarce but a priceless addition to the library.

I have traveled to Mexico for over 25 years, and own a home there. This story is only too familiar. I am buying a copy for all of my Mexico loving friends and family.

This is a great book and I enjoyed reading it. Lots of humor and wisdom packed into this easy to read book. It was difficult to put down and not to continue to read on to the end. The frustrations, joy and adventures where captured very well in this excellent dialoge from the author. After finishing the reading you wish you could have had the opportunity to know the charecters involved in this true story.

Considered the ultimate story of building in Mexico even though written in the early 70s, I bought this book after also building a home in Mexico but on the Carribean side. I've now read three books of the experience of building in Mexico. My experience was much better but maybe because my architect was French. But my builder was Mexican and much of what he experienced, I experienced also. The rules and customs are just different. For example, if you have a meeting a 4:00, that means the hour of 4:00 so an arrival of 4:55 would be considered by the party as appropriate. Ask a Mexican for directions and you will get them. Even if they are not correct. They never admit they don't know.

Ok, it's difficult for some Americans to adjust. But where this book really is effective is describing the charm of the Mexican people. Where many Americans today stereotype Mexicans as poor people coming across the border, the truth is generally Mexicans are a incredibly generous, friendly, hard working people. The country has incredible beauty as well which is partially described in this book.

There are many other parts of Mexico to explore but this book is a great starting point. I strongly recommend this book because in Mexico, not much has changed since 1974.

God and Mr. Gomez is a book which has a following among gringos who have built in Baja. It is a true story of Jack Smith, a former columnist for LA Times, and his wife, Denny. An "empty nester" couple of the 70's, ventured out to build their second home in the coastal town of Bocana. Seduced by the magic of Baja on their first visit, they blindly invested their money in the capable hands of "Mr. Gomez". "This is your property, all your property, you want stakes? I'll give you stakes!" Jack was a likable, matter of fact story teller with some lyrical prose as he wrote of their trips down Mex 1. "The moon rose and fell as the road climbed and sank and twisted, appearing here and there and nowhere, a paper moon manipulated by a drunken stagehand." He shares his thoughts and epiphanies on finding God on the beach cliffs below their property. I enjoyed how the couple embraced a renewed sense of adventure and independence through out the building process as they took turns driving down on alternating weekends. Trustingly bonding with doing business "the Mexican way" they encountered many humorous and exasperating obstacles learning the meaning of "God's time". First published in 1974 and republished in 1997 the story continues to be kept alive.

Anyone contemplating the construction of their home in Mexico MUST red this book. It is extremely humorous and an easy read, but it exposes the many pitfalls of attempting to build your dream home in Mexico. BEWARE!

I used to read Jack Smith's column in the L.A. Times religiously. When he published this book I bought it right away. Like Frances Mayes, but long before her, Jack Smith and his wife decide on a vacation home in another country - Baja California, Mexico. They hire Mr. Gomez to supervise the construction and are often confounded by his easy going manner and mañana attitude. As ever, Jack Smith writes of the ordeal of building in a foriegn country in his astute and humorous style. This book is a must read!

I have another, older, copy of this book and have read it several times. This was a replacement for the old one, which is worn out! If you've ever been to Baja, you will totally love hearing Jack and Denny Smith's experiences with purchasing a home there. If you haven't, you will still love hearing the story AND you will want to go there and find your own adventure.