Brain: the man who wrote the book that changed the world

Brain: The Man Who Wrote the Book That Changed the World: Dermot Davis

Just what makes a best seller? Is it a good romance, mystery or thriller with a plot filled with murder, intrigue, hot and steamy sex? Aspiring writers hope that their novel will not only be on the Times best seller list but reach number one. Some might be naïve enough to think they might write the next great American Novel. Think again! Vampire’s books, self-help, murder, humor, satire which topic or genre would warrant being titled the Great American Novel? Daniel Waterstone creates quite a stir at his college graduation when he receives the college’s literary award. Thinking that he would just take a bow and then move on with the agenda for the graduation little did the Dean realize that the audience was in for a speech that would definitely change the entire course of the graduation. Wanting to define Western literature, the classics and hoping to revitalize interest in authors such as Twain or Hemmingway Daniel set about captivating his audience. Ten years later with his car falling apart, engine dying in the middle of busy intersections Daniel hopes that his literary career will skyrocket with his latest novel: The Impossible Dream II. But, not every dream comes to be and not every novel regardless of the quality and skill of the writer will sell.

Meeting with his agent Suzanne Daniel sets his hopes high thinking that she is about to get him signings, speaking engagements and hopefully a huge royalty check. But, instead she practically sends him out the restaurant door. Even worse the advance he received for the novel they are not going to publish the publisher wants it back. Money spent, car on the double fritz, threats of being evicted, no electricity and no phones, Daniel goes on          quest to figure out how he can write something others might want to read. But, first he winds up walking into a bookstore and listens to a prominent and successful self-help author named Randy Guswhite talk about his book titled: Take Control of Your Life. Listening to him talk to his audience you begin to wonder whether reality TV has taken over the world of literature and whether the public is really that gullible and believes everything they hear and read. So, Daniel decides right there and then to meet with his friend Mavis at his local library talk about his situation and then proceeds to take out every book by every major satirist and writes his own. The book titled: Use Your Brain is an instant wonder but not before his agent discounts it at first, her assistant reads and loves it and members of her staff copy it and even try some of the insane and ridiculous exercises mentioned that would make their lives better. Would you read the Bible backwards singing Happy Birthday to you? Would you walk backwards singing If I Were A Rich Man banging two-sauce pan lids together? Well everyone reading his book thinks it’s great and he is an instant best selling author except for one thing. He never wanted the book considered self-help he thought he wrote a satire. Wrong again Daniel. But, the book was written under the name Charles Spectrum and his agent is all over him to promote promote promote. Even more she wants him to speak to audiences in bookstores about his book and when he does wait until you see what he says and how the audiences react. You just won’t believe ! Daniel loves the hype but is in danger of losing Daniel. He even verbalizes to his audience that he is a fraud, they are all frauds and that the answers to questions that want answered are right in front of themselves.

Will Daniel become the next F. Scott Fitzgerald or Hemingway? Will he make it to the rankings of Twain or Dickens? Just how gullible is the public and just how far will he go to be a success? With an audience lined up around the corner to hear Randy speak will Daniel turn heads or raise eyebrows when the harsh reality of what he is doing sets in? You Have a Brain Use It? Will it change the world? When his agent finally contacts him and pays his late phone bill what is her real motive for wanting to help him now? Those reading his book are taking the title literally and believe everything Charles Spectrum spouts. Funny, humorous and yet sad to think that publishers are looking to publish and market books that will boost their sales, five people want they want but quality writing well you decides after reading this book.

Once you start reading this book and get to know Daniel/Charles and hear Suzanne’s assessment of his work, his career and her projection for his future you begin to wonder just where he might go with this and if he will really write a sequel.

Television appearances, signings, talks, seminars and general appearances bring him instant success. But, is this really what Daniel wants and is this Daniel? Will he continue down this road or will he go back to being Daniel? Daniel/Charles has his own fans and following. This book is quite profound in many ways as it gets you to think about the inner workings of the publishing industry and just how far apart authors and publishers are when creating and publishing better works for readers.

Claire Peterson works for Suzanne creating music for many of her presentations as the author allows readers inside the meeting room and we hear what is planned for Daniel’s book we wonder just how far this agent will go to promote Daniel and for what reason. So many venues that are out there and so many that she has tapped whether talks, meetings, speakers that would relate his message in different states, cities and countries just what does Daniel really think and how does he relate his feelings to Claire? Will he continue down this road to make money and be able to start over on his own? Will he continue to compromise his own values and sink so low he won’t recognize himself? Author Dermot Davis asks readers to think long and hard about what Daniel is doing and if in the same position would they do the same? How far would you go to get fame, fortune and recognition? How much of yourself would you compromise?

Events spiraled out of control as Daniel decided to air his feelings on national television, Suzanne disappeared before the may lay occurred, a blackmailer thought he’d cash in on his fame, truths come out about what he wrote but the ending will definitely astound readers. Daniel looks deep inside himself with the help of Claire trying to find his own niche and way in life. Readers claiming they hear and see spirits on national television. Elementals come to life and can be heard, a woman claims she levitates and another winds up in jail claiming he was asleep when a crime was committed. But, just what is real, fiction or just strange? Are people sane or insane or has the world gone mad? Would you chuck it all for two million dollars? Wait until you find out what Daniel decides to do, the revelations he makes and his definition of truth, integrity and hope.

As Claire shares her music with Daniel and he listens to the special sounds she creates readers can get caught up in the music as she allows it to flow choosing different instruments to play which melody, tempo and the volume for each part allowing listeners, Daniel and readers to understand the emotions that music evokes: Joy, happiness, sorry and excitement. Just where does Daniel wind up and what will be his final great novel? Will there be a Great American Novel or will he take another path?

Where does Suzanne wind up? What happens to the Brain organization? What about Daniel’s book? Brain: The Man Who Wrote the Book that Changed the World: Dermot Davis: Wrote a book that is filled with humor, satire, sarcasm, anecdotes that are hilarious, stunts that I know he would not want any of his readers to try as they are a figment of Charles Spectrum’s imagination and more. Read this book and you decide if this is not a book that will make you think the next time you read a Twain, Dickens, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Oscar Wilde, Thoreau or Louis Stevenson if they are the only ones that can write a novel that changed the world?

This is definitely a FIVE STAR: KEY OF C NOVEL

Fran Lewis: Reviewer