God and Mr. Gomez

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!

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!

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...

I first read this book twenty years ago, and I loved it. Since then, my husband and I have built a house in the Baja. God and Mr. Gomez has something of a cult following among those of us who have done so. Incidentally, we all feel Jack Smith had it easy!

"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