The Stuff Of Dreams By Alejandro Grattan
Alejandro Grattan's latest novel is a rip-roaring adventure tale which swiftly takes the reader from the bright lights of Hollywood to the mysterious jungles of the Yucatan. The book is filled with interesting characters, but focuses on the fortunes and misfortunes of Frank O'Malley, a film director who has fallen upon hard times and is desperately seeking the financing for his latest project.
The movie is to star Antonio Alvarado, a Mexican-American actor now in the last stages of his career, in a story about the plight of migrant farm workers. But after it is turned down by the studio moguls, Alvarado offers some sage words to Frank, " . . . The way you feel now, be careful what you go after. Because you might get it." Prophetic words, as Frank soon decides to get involved in a highly dangerous scheme to smuggling pre-Columbian artifacts out of Mexico.
The catalyst behind this is Frank's long estranged brother, Danny, who shows up in Los Angeles dressed like a vagrant. This is only a disguise, as he has a bag full of cash and invites Frank to join him on a trip to Mexico. The director really has no choice; his Rolls Royce had just been repossessed and that is where he had been living.
Included in this scheme is an enigmatic character called "The Schmoo." His name is actually Calvin, but he permits only Danny (whom he idolizes) to call him that. The Schmoo is a stoned-out weirdo who rarely appears in any condition other than that of complete inebriation. He has, however, an ability to get to the bottom of puzzles and mysteries, and his outrageous behavior lends a light-hearted element to the story.
Frank O'Malley has spent his life in the furious acquisition of money, but has serious misgivings about the smuggling scheme, feeling that he is stealing from the history and rich culture of the Mexican people. The author compellingly dramatizes the advanced civilization of the Mayas, who invented the zero and multiplication tables, sensed the theory of Evolution long centuries before Darwin, and the existence of split-personality disorder long before Freud.
The novel has more twists and turns than a Mexican mountain road. There are ruthless smugglers, corrupt police, pathetic prostitutes and learned academics, though in the tradition of the very best story-telling, the author neither pushes his personal opinions nor overtly attempts to make any weighty social statements. The book may be ordered by calling 52(376) 766-2278.
Highly recommended.