God and Mr. Gomez: Building a Dream House in Baja (Paperback)

~ Jack Clifford Smith (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

God & Mr. Gomez follows the hilarious (and often hazardous encounters between Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the eccentric, mysterious Mr. Gomez, as the Smith's build their escape-from-the-city house down in Baja California, Mexico. The variety of adventures conjured by Mr. Gomez, who may or may not own the land, keeps the Smith family on a wild ride throughout the construction and on-going "completion" of the project. The epilogue is derived from columns written by Smith in subsequent years, and chronicles the marriages, births and deaths in the Gomez and Smith families, as their lives have become intertwined and connected through love and respect. God & Mr. Gomez is a rollicking good read for anyone who has ever been (or contemplates being) engaged in the building of their very own "dream house". -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: Times (Los Angeles Times) (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884964191
• ISBN-13: 978-0884964193
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #922,392 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a delight to see this book still in print!, February 10, 2000

By A Customer

I first read GOD AND MR GOMEZ as a child, in the Reader's Digest COndensed Books my parents ordered so faithfully. I was enchanted with the beauty of Baja, and the friendly, welcoming way Mr. Gomez encourages Jack to relax and become part of the culture he's living in. His house may not have been built quickly, but it will stand for a thousand years, thanks to Mr. Gomez:)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Baja Adventure..., August 16, 1999

By A Customer

After reading God and Mr. Gomez, my boyfriend and I decided to drive to La Bocana de Santo Tomas, to visit the Jack Smith house and see for ourselves what this majical place was all about. 6 months later we purchased our own casa down the road from the original Smith house, and even got married on our deck there last year. You never know when you pick up a book just how it may affect your life...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious book about culture-shock, August 13, 1999

By A Customer

Easy to read, funny, absolutely right-on account of what happens when American meets Mexican culture. Smith recounts his constant frustrations, surprise, and delight at the Mexican way. I worked in Mexico for 4 years and can vouch for the veracity of Smith's observations. Very sympathetic and respectful of Mexican culture and habits for the most part. Smith is a very talented writer.