DAVE BOLING

Jan 24, 2011 8:48 PM EST

In the last week, I have read Guernica twice. I want you to know how deeply touched I was by your novel. It was beautiful and tragic and I was hooked by the first three pages.
I knew the history account. I knew the painting. Your book added names to the faces and sincere closeness to the event I somewhat knew of as a history student.
I also want to tell you about the rather pecular way it was suggested to me. I was researching the further works of a young British actor who has done a modern version of Sherlock Holmes for the BBC/ PBS. (His name is Benedict Cumberbatch and he seems to have a sparkling career in front of him). In going down the "Google brick road" looking for other movies, I found a rather passionate endorsement BY him for your book made with a backdrop of the beautiful Mykonos Grand Hotel.
I couldn't believe that I, a bookseller in Texas, had missed a novel this wonderful by an author in Washington State only to be informed of it by an actor in England. It truely is an example of how small our world has become.
Your book made my stay at home vacation time well spent and I will certainly pass the word on about the book to other book sellers who just might have missed it as well as to the two writers' groups that have my name on their membership roles.
Thank you so very much for this amazing and important story.

- Carla Smith

Jan 25, 2011 7:18 AM EST

Wow, what a nice message, Carla. I guarantee you I will read your entry twice this week, too! Thanks so much. Are you sure you didn't make up the name Benedict Cumberbatch? Wasn't he a Dickens character? If you have a link to his reference to the book, I'd love to see it. He needs to dig up a producer and act in "Guernica."

As for the "small world" theme, you have no idea how many people I hear from around the world that have some connection to the event.

Thanks again. Please tell your friends about the book. As a bookseller, you know how important word of mouth is to the success of such things.

Be well,

Dave

- Dave Boling

Jan 25, 2011 2:33 PM EST

Dear Dave,
I see by your page that you found the video of Benedict Cumberbatch's review. I am very please that I wrote to you since you obviously had not seen it before.
I hope you have researched HIM enough to see that he is a very serious actor and that a bit of his success will spill over to you.
While SHERLOCK is making him a superstar and teen idol, look for the first piece I saw him in which was Van Gough: Painted With Words. It is available free on line. (This actor can weep on cue)
I cannot think of a better project for him or anyone else in the movie industry than your book. I hope to soon be seeing your name under the title on the big screen.
Pleae tell me you have another one in the works.
Thanks again.

- Carla Smith

Jan 25, 2011 2:38 PM EST

Thanks, Carla. Yes, I'm working on another piece of historical fiction set in South Africa at the time of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Getting close to being done with the first draft.

I think that video was from a promotion the book won in UK, being selected by a book club on the Richard and Judy television show. Nicely done, I thought.

- Dave Boling

Apr 26, 2014 5:11 AM EDT

Guernica. I unexpectedly opened the chapter '27th April' this morning, feel i must wait until this evening to finish. My small mark of respect.

- G Lennon

Apr 26, 2014 10:19 AM EDT

Interesting timing. Thoughtful of you.

- Dave Boling