The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora
By Michael Nesmith
Much as I like this book, it’s difficult to avoid – or resist – damning
it with faint praise. So here goes: The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora is
the best book written by an ex-Monkee (but not the only one: both Mickey and
Davy wrote memoirs designed to make a fast buck, while this is a work of fiction
guaranteed to make a few really slow ones). At first glance, the line between
fiction and non appears thin: the hero is a musician named Nez (as the author
is known to his fans, of whom this reviewer is one). However, the object of his
quest, the elusive and enigmatic Neftoon Zamora, is various described as either
male or female, actual or mythical, and, as early as page 2, “part Zuni,
part Martian, and part Delta blues player [who] had come from the Great Spirit,
Mars, or some place in Mississippi, thousands of years ago.” Nez learns
of NZ from a friend who has a tape of him/her/it performing blues songs. Nesmith
describes this sufficiently well to make me wish for a soundtrack. (In fact,
Nesmith’s 1974 album The Prison is actually described as “a book
with a soundtrack.” The idea is to read the story and listen to the album
concurrently; when one becomes accustomed to paying attention to both sources
at the same time, one hopes to experience a certain synergy. I can vouch that
with the right attitude, the effort is not fruitless.) Anyway, back to this book.
During his journey, Nez comes upon a woman named Neffie, who has long sandy hair.
Is this Neftoon Zamora? We aren’t sure, and Neffie joins the quest. The
story takes place in New Mexico, first in a canyon village, then at a desert
enclave. Along the way, we meet colorful characters, go to a swinging dance,
and get pulled deeper into the mystery. Unfortunately, three-quarters into the
book, Nesmith takes us away from these organic and exciting environs and plunks
us into the mechanized compound of a crazed billionaire. In a Monkees episode,
this is when the zany montage would come on over the song. Unfortunately, as
I’ve said, there is no soundtrack. And so the book, which begins with much
promise, ends with little clarity or satisfaction. Still, I think it’s
a worthwhile read – but then, I’m a Believer! Jason M. Rubin
©Copyright 2011 Libretto,
Inc.
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