On Mercury Visions (not a new Sting album) - Part 1

I love owning books. I love reading books. I love telling people about books I've read and own. And so it is that I am very well pleased to have this opportunity, friends, to recommend to you the splendid novel by my all-time favorite first-time novelist Dominic Smith. (Sorry, Erin; you know I love you like a toll free erotic fantasy phone number, but this guy is family.)

THE NOVELIST,
INKING A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

His novel is called The Mercury Visions of Louis Daguerre.

Buy it at Amazon
Buy it at Barnes & Noble
Buy it at Powell's Books
Buy it a Books-A-Million

(Amazon has it the cheapest.)

It comes highly recommended by three or four people at the Barnes & Noble website and also over at Amazon. Of course I'm joking; actually, Dominic was correctly honored to have this book chosen for special pimping by B&N -- he was part of their "Discover Great Young Writers" promotion.

But don't take my word for it (or theirs). Buy it and check it out for yourself. Like his protagonist, the author has serious business to transact. And he does a damn fine job of it.

My email congratulating the author is set out below for your amusement.

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From: Garrett
Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2006 11:04 AM
To: 'Dominic Smith'
Cc: Laura

Subject: Your Lewis Deguerra Book

Dom the Master, today, finally, Joy and I have each completed our review of your book about Lewis Deguera. (I actually read it months ago, but Joy just finished it.) We both really enjoyed it. However, I was surprised there wasn't a little more bullfighting in it, as I thought from some of the Heimlich books I've read that bullfighting was a pretty prominent amusement for the Spaniards.

But, that aside, I do want to compliment you absolutely sincerely. This is a real work of literature you have composed here, and I am so proud of myself that by a complete accident of fate I have the pleasure of knowing a real life artist of the written word. The story is fascinating. The perspective is enlightening. The dialogue (especially between Lewis and Isabella) is riveting and pure.

The depth and breadth of your collected knowledge is evident, and your ability to draw on the most ancient of wisdoms is enviable. I love books like this that have so much to say, so much to expose, so much to teach.

I am most in love with Lewis' outlook, especially given his experience in life. He could easily have gone the other way. What an excellent, appropriate attitude. What an encouraging way for a person to go through life. Despite decades of heartbreak and disappointment, Lewis never lost faith that life would reflect truth in the end.

For her part, Joy really enjoyed the love story, she deemed it satisfying. She says she really liked both the characters, and thought that although the relationship was clearly complicated, it was quite entertaining.

In short, way to go. You are a superstar.

Now, for some prognostications.

I predict your book is a sleeper destined for long-term fame. A larger number of people than expected have enjoyed it this first little while. But at some point in the years to come, someone will want to make this into a movie. The screenplay will be of such a high quality that the film industry folks who read it will recognize it as probably destined for Oscar nomination. As a result, skilled, highly-compensated actors will battle for the right to participate in the production. And it will be well-received, put out in the summertime across the northern hemisphere. The paperback edition celebrating the cinematic release will feature Juliette Binoche, clad in period costume but with more of her shoulder exposed than is customary. As a result, the Amazon.com sales rank of your book will skyrocket, ultimately achieving weeks in the top 20. You will be very pleased.

Q: How long will you have to wait for this result to obtain?

A: You don't know, but you are prepared to wait a long time.

I LOVE YOU!

garrett