About the Author – Dr. Merlin Franco
Born in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Merlin Franco is an Ethnobiologist by profession, currently residing on Borneo Island, Malaysia.He is known for writing satires and having a good hold on the social undercurrents in his home state.
“Saint Richard Parker” is his second novel , the first one being A Dowryless wedding , which was very well received.
What make “Saint Richard Parker”a Good Read
1. The Cover – The cover design by Estella is very clever .It depicts a close likeness of Merlin Franco , the author , with a Halo around his head and saffron clothes, depicting the Saint status of the self proclaimed Saint Richard Parker.Also notice the tongue in cheek tag of – Now (not ) a Major Motion Picture.The cover itself is catchy enough to make me pick up this book.
2.The plot– The book is a collection of human experiences that self proclaimed Saint Richard Parker undergoes in his search for love, sex and Moksha all the way from his native village Kuttithamaraikulam (which means little lotus pond ) to Borneo Island via thailand etc.The book is divided into 4 parts
Part 1. For the love of cows
Part 2. Richard Parker in Little Lotus Pond
Part 3. The Voyage to Southeast Asia
Part 4. The Return to Little Lotus Pond
3.Saint Richard Parker – In this book, Richard Parker is a journalist who writes for a popular newspaper “Indian Republic”, but is thrown out when his investigation of a Cow shelter scam points towards his very own boss.Robbed of his job and his dignity, Richard Parker sets out to seek Nirvana for his soul.In his quest for Moksha, he meets various people from different walks of life and different ideologies who propel him forward (and sometimes backward) in his search for love and Sainthood.Sometimes Black and blue and red but almost always the brown man, Saint Richard Parker stumbles across the truth of love and life in a very heartwarming ending.
4. Narration – The book “Saint Richard Parker ” has no holds barred wit and humour sprinkled on every page and I must say I just loved reading his amusing accounts of SRP’s antics – whether it was his misinterpretation of “Kallu” (meaning Blackie in a derogatory sense in Hindi ) as some ode to his handsomeness or the incident where he inadvertently ends up helping tow away a stolen car trying to be a good Samaritan.Merlin Franco has a witty repartee even when he faces racism and discrimination from not only foreigners but even his own people.His writing while amusing is also a sad commentary on the state of affairs in our country and the status of the brown man as compared to the white man outside India.
Quotes from “Saint Richard Parker” by Merlin Franco
Here are some interesting quotes from Saint Richard Parker which I just could not help sharing with you all.
1.”We sell cow urine “From Grass-Fed Country Cows”—at twice the price of milk. That is an unbeatable 300 percent profit margin. We also sell pure, sun-dried organic cow dung that emits oxygen while burning. “
2. “Life was routine for Aroonan until Lord Ayyappa’s call arrived in the form of a laddoo through his neighbor. It was perfect timing for three reasons: one, at eighteen, Aroonan was already slipping into hooliganism like his Tamil peers, risking execution; two, black country chickens in his neighborhood began disappearing, only to surface headless in male vitality-enhancing rituals; three, had the laddoo found him a day later, the mold inside would have turned it velvety black. He has been visiting Sabarimala regularly since then.”
3. She prods the cigar on her lips for a while and asks me with a straight face, “Tell me Parker boy, is the vagina a wine bottle that loses its flavor once opened?”
… killed my hanker for virgins.
4.Pay only $4,999 US dollars, and liberate your soul.
Grab your copy of “Saint Richard Parker ” for more such humor laced hard hitting social trends.
Book Specifications
Title – Saint Richard Parker
Author – Merlin Franco
Price – E-book (kindle version) – Rs 160/- BUY IT HERE
Language – English
Genre- Fiction, Satire, Humour
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THIRTEEN REASONS WHY – A BOOK REVIEW
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
#sinplypretty #bookreviews #books #booklovers #abetterlife
I really enjoyed the book. It was a little long, but the sature was worth it. The author has come out with real life truisms in a fictional manner, so relatable and so forthright. I liked his approach, taking a travelogue and turning it into a learning episode.
Same here Ambica!The wit and satire is great in this one and I enjoyed the travel part introducing to various cultures and currencies.
I honestly felt a bit confused with what this book is all about. It is that or I don’t get the sense of humour the author wants to pass on. I’m sure I’m simply one of those who don’t get it. While this may be a good book for others, I don’t think otherwise. Don’t take my opinion too seriously though as I don’t like much of the genres.
I can understand this may not be something you love, I think it appeals to Indians more as we can relate with a lot of things. Thanks for sharing your views Jeannine!
The book tells the tale of the spiritual transformation of a smug and egoistic businessman and writer. It takes the readers on a roller-coaster ride through some of the most iconic places in South Asia. At the same time, the book provides several comical and intellectual settings that help them to greatly enjoy the misadventures of Richard Parker. Despite that, the book never wavers from its primary theme of seeking self-enlightenment. All these elements combine to make reading the book an amusing and engaging experience for me.
Oh yes, the cow urine business!
I’m intrigued by your detailed review. The cover with a “not” a motion picture is also catchy. I’ve added this to my TBR…thanks for sharing your review. What would be your rating for this book?
I would rate it a 4/5 , a good book not the best , but pretty good.
I would rate it a 4/5 , a good book not the best , but pretty good.
Preeti’s your review convinced me that “Saint Richard Parker” is a must-read, especially when you mentioned it holds wit and humor. The clever cover, engaging plot, and Merlin Franco’s humorous narration make it sound like an enjoyable journey through love, self-discovery, and societal reflections. Thanks for sharing it here.
This is the second review of this book I’m reading today. And I’m enthused to read the book.
Cover and the details review intrigue me. It will definitely going to my reading list. Spiritual and business going hand in hand. Seems interesting read. I still not read any of his book. Would like to read
I have been hearing so much about the book. Now I have to go and read it. Surely sounds like a witty one. Particularly the quotes you shared.
Thank you for sharing about the book, Preeti. Could not review it back then since I had too much on my plate. Waiting for the Holiday madness to end to pick it up. I have heard it is quite apt for the current scenario.
Yes Ritu, the satire on religious intolerance,regionalism and racism is quite poignant.
I like humour, I like satire, I like wit but it’s been really long since I read a book that has all. Looks like an interesting read Preeti. I hadn’t heard of the author until today but I like the idea of the book. Also, the cover is quite interesting.
The book is definitely gonna be a worth read especially know about cow urine price and cow dung cake releasing oxygen on burning. I remembered a jole with the dung cake
journey towards sainthood and having a heartwarming ending this book seems different yet intriguing enough. Detailed yet easy-read.
Your review of “Saint Richard Parker” by Merlin Franco was insightful and well-articulated. You effectively highlighted the book’s strengths and weaknesses, making it helpful for potential readers. Your analysis showcased a genuine understanding of the storyline and characters, enhancing the overall quality of the review.
OMG, the review is intriguing, and I must read this book. I loved the way you described and reviewed the book with so many details. The plot and protagonist are both amazing to go along with the book. Going to buy it.
Your review of “Saint Richard Parker” by Merlin Franco is engaging. The clever cover design caught your attention, and the four-part plot detailing Richard Parker’s journey is well-structured. The character of Saint Richard Parker, a journalist seeking Nirvana, adds depth to the narrative with wit and humor. The highlighted quotes showcase the author’s humorous yet thought-provoking style. It seems like an interesting read that combines humor and commentary on social trends.
The cover design is pure genius! I love how it playfully captures the essence of Saint Richard Parker. Those quotes are gold! The cultural insights sprinkled throughout the review make the story even more appealing.
Looks like a book that while takes you to the spiritual journey it also catches your attention with humor. Definitely a good read. Thank you for the detailed review.
Sounds like an intriguing read!