I, Walt Whitman

by Stephen Smoke

Michael Grace, a recently laid-off writer, is a respected fixture on the LA coffeehouse circuit, where he reads his poetry, excerpts from his well-reviewed but under-read novels, and performs original songs. During a psychic reading-a gift from his previous employer-Michael comes to believe that it's possible he is the reincarnation of Walt Whitman. The next day Albert Brennan, a lawyer who's also a fan, tells Michael that a mutual friend told him that Michael is Walt Whitman reincarnated. Even though Michael tells Albert that he's not sure that's true, Albert presents Michael with a plan: He offers to sue the publishers of Walt Whitman's work for 150 years of back royalties. Although Stephen Smoke is well known for his psychological thriller and mystery novels, as well as the non-fiction Bill of Responsibilities series, he also has written two well-received inspirational novels (Trick of the Light-optioned for film by Hemdale Films, which won Best Picture Academy Awards for "The Last Emperor of China" and "Platoon"; and Cathedral of the Senses, "a moving and beautifully-written story that deals with the popular 'now moment' philosophies in a highly entertaining way."). While the inspirational novels are mystical and philosophical, the stories are not preachy, and entertainment is always the most important element. Many of the same metaphysical and philosophical themes in Trick of the Light and Cathedral of the Senses, are also in I, Walt Whitman. Like Stephen's other inspirational novels, music is incorporated into the I, Walt Whitman story. Each of the three inspirational novels has an embedded soundtrack in the iPad version of the novel, and all the songs are available via iTunes, Amazon and other popular music download sites.

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Aka Hamilton T. Caine

Stephen Smoke is the author of 20 novels, including Black Butterfly, Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Blues, Trick of the Light, The Prince of Palos Verdes, and Cathedral of the Senses under his own and other names. He has also written eight non-fiction books.

Stephen has written and directed feature films, including "Street Crimes" (starring Dennis Farina) and "Final Impact," and has written screenplays for others, including "Magic Kid."

In 2011 he published the first novel with its own embedded soundtrack: "Cathedral of the Senses." The songs on the album of "Cathedral of the Senses," were written by Stephen and recorded mainly by musicians and singers living in Sedona.

Reviews

[Alan Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Grace is the kind of protagonist you root for just because he’s a thoroughly decent man. He’s kind to his friends and family and he doesn’t kick dogs. Just laid off and not able to support himself from the novels he writes and his gigs in coffeehouses where he sings his own songs, you hope he can come up with something better.

And he does—sort of. A psychic leads him to believe he might have some relationship to Walt Whitman. In fact, he might be the reincarnation of old Walt. Michael isn’t sure what to do about this feeling, but Albert, a lawyer in need of a good case, does. Why not try to get the back royalties Walt would be owed if he were still alive. This leads to various adventures in Los Angeles and the East. Michael also meets a lady who lives on a boat and feels she has a connection to him. A budding romance?

Stephen Smoke has written many novels and knows how to bring up a far-fetched idea without shoving it down the reader’s throat. No matter how you feel about reincarnation, you will find the book very readable. There’s also some philosophical stuff that sounds like pretty good advice. You’ll get to know Stephen’s favorite eating places, especially in Palos Verdes and L.A., and other interesting information about these locales.

The book is a smooth read that keeps you wanting to know what’s going to happen next.

[Vickey Kall · Rating 4 out of 5]

So your boss fires you while gazing across the cliffs of Palos Verdes, and instead of severance pay he sends you to a psychic who confirms your own weird dreams about being Walt Whitman. Next thing you know, you're suing publishers for 150 years of back royalties--who wouldn't love an opening like that?
Throw in a haunted romance and all the watering holes of the South Bay: the Admiral Risty and Golden Cove, real places that I've been to, and I'm hooked. I had a blast reading this book and I suspect most folks would enjoy it just as much as I did.

[Steve Chisnell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first read of a new book club I'm joining. Their goal is to read provocative or thoughtful fiction, so I look forward to meeting them all. However, the first 50 pages of Smoke's novel show a writer desperately ignorant of basic style and plotting techniques. This will be a painful read, I fear, even with a fascinating premise of a writer discovering he is the reincarnation of Walt Whitman.