Saint Richard Parker

by Merlin Franco

Ace businessman, writer, and investigative journalist Richard Parker loses his job when he exposes the vegetarian CEO of his newspaper as a beef exporter. Accused of misconduct and forced to dissolve his company, he retreats to his wretched little village.

Attempting to resuscitate his life, Richard realizes that attaining enlightenment is his calling.

What holds him back?

Well, he does not know if spirituality or sexuality comes first. He must also avoid the attentions of Isakki, the village sorceress, and her menacing buffaloes. Desperate and confused, Richard consults an astrologer, who predicts that his destiny lies in the exotic East.

Richard sets out on a spiritual odyssey—a journey that takes him through the market streets, ballrooms, tantric retreats, and pristine jungles of Southeast Asia. Between running for his life and trying to prove he is not a con man, child snatcher, or Man Friday material, Richard discovers his true love—in the least expected place. And yes, he also discovers the path to enlightenment.

Saint Richard Parker is a comic romp across the famed spiritual and romantic region of Southeast Asia, with an ensemble of unforgettable characters and a keen eye for the absurdities of modern life.

Genres: Contemporary, Comedy, Novels, Humor, Book Club, Drama, Satire

368 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2023

About the author

Merlin Franco is an Indian-born academic with a PhD in Ethnobiology. He currently lives in Borneo with his imaginary girlfriend and a gang of feral monkeys. Merlin’s hobbies include staring at the ceiling, stroking his greying beard, and running away from stray dogs.

Reviews

[Hannah Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fun, engaging, silly, and vibrant read. The author, Merlin Franco, does a beautiful job at bringing Southeast Asian culture so lushly to the front. You can feel his awe and passion for his own culture. As a reader, it was a lot of fun to feel like I was on an adventure, exploring worlds I've never been to.
It's said that this book is like the male version of "Eat, Pray, Love", which isn't wrong. It's also the snarky version of "Eat, Pray Love". The lighter version, the braver version. I whole-heartedly enjoyed this book and think readers who are also on, or have been on their own journeys of self-discovery will enjoy this read too.
I look forward to more tales from Franco, what avenues of spirituality and life's strange and wonderful happenings he'll explore next!

[Preeti Chauhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book more than the previous book -A Dowryless Wedding because it is full of amusing incidents.

The book "Saint Richard Parker " has no holds barred wit and humor 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.

Richard Parker 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.

[Aanchal · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of local cultures and traditions, then you will enjoy reading this book. The English!!!! Oh my God, the author has captured the different varieties of English spoken in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand very well. Try reading those passages aloud because it is such a wonderful feeling.

[Nishtha Dhingra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly funny and a thought-provoking journey as well which is a rare combination. Richard blunders his journey into various clashes however leaves the readers with a happiness at the end.

[Charles Magesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite Entertaining and Spiritual

Saint Richard Parker by Merlin Franco is a fascinating story that will not only make you laugh but also have you question your spirituality. The plot features the life of an unethical investigative journalist, Richard Parker.

Parker's life hits a turning point when his corrupt boss discovers his misconduct and fires him when he thinks his career is about to climax. The journalist begins a self-realization journey, rethinking his spiritual and romantic life.

I enjoyed reading the book beyond my expectation. Through Parker's journey, I got real-life-like experiences of the Hindu culture and religion. Also, this story teaches valuable moral lessons about integrity and work ethics.

I recommend Saint Richard Parker to everyone who loves humor, fiction, and mythology.

[Donna Emperador · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appeals to many audiences

Saint Richard Parker is a humorous tale of one person's journey seeking love and spirituality. It is like a male version of Eat, Pray, Love. Along his quest for these intangibles, Richard Parker finds himself.

The book also reminds me of Travels with My Aunt by Graham Greene. The main character voyages from country to country, meeting unique characters, getting mistaken for others, and finding himself in dangerous situations.

Saint Richard Parker is more than just a useful read for anyone on a journey of self-discovery. It will also appeal to those with a passion for travel, food, and culture. Merlin Franco has an ingenious way of mixing cultural norms and politics into the story setting, making the reader grasp the scene from more than just a tourist perspective.

[Sitharaam Jayakumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of us wonder about the true meaning of life and how to get enlightened about it every now and then. Richard Parker is one such man who is on a quest to find the meaning of life or Nirvana. He sets forth on an expedition to the east of Asia in search of this elusive truth when an astrologer tells him his destiny lies there. The story of his travels unfolds in the form of several adventures in each one of the places he visits. He tries to find enlightenment through two means. First one is through sexuality and the second is spirituality.

The quest for Nirvana takes Parker to several countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia to name a few. The book is written with subtle humour which is highly entertaining. We find that the author has pointed out the ironies and vicariousness of religion with a skillful pen. He points out the defects in almost all religions and the book is not a critique of any one faith.

He meets several beautiful women as he travels from place to place. But nirvana through sexuality eludes him. He then decides to takes the spiritual path. And he fulfills his quest but in a unique manner.

The book deals with several moral questions of very great importance. The author has dealt with these very deftly and with great aplomb. The book is a very good travelogue also and gives the reader a lot of information about the countries he visits.

On the negative side, I have to say this. The book is too long and rambles on endlessly. Even very trivial things are described in vivid detail which is really not necessary. But, all said and done it is a very good book and the flow is smooth. Do pick it up!

[Khushboo Joshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is filled with joy and humour. Absolutely enjoyed reading it in fun way. Sometimes we stress out for life too much. But I enjoyed how the author tried to find some fun amidst the issues. I am glad I gave this book a try. Might read it a second time, too.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Richard Parker gets fired from the big business he worked for as a journalist he couldn’t forget his boss calling him “stupid Richard Parker“ and this is what initially causes him to retreat back to Lil Lotus the place of his birth and at the same time sends him on a spiritual journey. At first he worships the god of bachelors and even goes on the spiritual journey but when he arrived at the airport he missed spoke and said he was a Christian not knowing 2 feet away there is a sign that says only Buddhist allowed until after escaping a beat down his friend and mentor tells him he should not give up on marrying and that God made the female spirit for some reason… Right? so after going to another retreat he meets a woman whose name means bright moon in for the first time is in love he stays with her for months they build nonprofits for cows and then dogs and right when they’re about to properly become a couple she learned he ate meat before and then totally kicked him out of her house and her life. This is when he gets his palm read right before going back to Little Lotus and when he learned he was destined for great things and now he wants to be a saint. He will turn to the Christian religion a shaman the Harry Chrishnas and on and on the writing style of this book totally reminded me of Alexander McCall Smith who is one of my favorite authors this book is clever and although set in countries I have never visited and not familiar with it it was still easy to follow along with entertaining dialogue a fast-moving plot. It is a spiritual International journey with lots of lol moments and a protagonist you can’t help but to love. please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Ankur Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The awe-inspiring and wholesome adventure through several South-Asian countries through the curtains of self-discovery apart this story from any other. This is a highly recommended novel for the enthusiastic readers.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Parker is not a character you would want to root for, and yet something about the poor, misguided fool endears himself to the reader. Richard Parker is not a nice, smart, or handsome guy, even though he thinks otherwise. He sets off on his spiritual journey for all the wrong reasons and gets into some really bizarre situations, often being mistaken for someone else. A lot of the things that go wrong for him are because of his own ignorance and his believe that he knows so much.

I did enjoy the books journey to different countries and my favorite character was actually Su. She had the most depth and I thought she was a very helpful friend for Parker to meet. Some of the other characters I didn't remember as well...because there were so many of them.

I felt like the book was longer than it needed to be, especially as Parker was often thrust into similar situations no matter what country he went to. It dragged on at parts when it was obvious how the book would end, bringing Parker pretty much full circle. He did experience changes and growth as a character but...I just wanted a bit more from him spiritually and ethically....and it took a long time to reach inlightment. His perseverance was pretty amazing. Most people experiencing his level of rejection would have given up, but Parker simple waited for the next "sign" as he knew he was destined for greatness (his belief, ha).

I would recommend this as the story is funny at parts and a grand adventure. Richard's internal dialogues always made me laugh...he's such a simpleton. The author does a beautiful job of immersing you into Richard's travels and the beauty of the Asian countries he visits and also throwing in some history too, which helped keep my interest. Cover stands out a lot too!

[tara sh · Rating 2 out of 5]

hard DNF. Two starts to hedge my haterade (maybe the rest was amazing??)

I would literally prefer to read this author’s ethnobiology research. And that’s not a roast; his research sounds interesting! But this… I am not the audience

[Archana A · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Strange are the ways of the world. I sigh."

The story revolves around Richard Parker, a journalist who loses his job because he exposed his "vegetarian" boss as a beef exporter. When one door closes, another opens. After becoming unemployed, he set on a personal journey to many countries.

The writing is very engaging, and delights travel freaks. Though it was around 350 pages, I could read it quickly. The spirituality element is described very well.

Another commendable remark that I want to point out is the descriptive nature of the setting. The author has expressed everything in detail and given attention to detailing. If you are a traveling fan and love to embrace different cultures, then this is for you.

[Merlin Franco]

There has been much confusion about what Saint Richard Parker is about. Here comes the author’s perspective.

𝑺𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑹𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆. This is a satirical take on the maladies of South and Southeast Asia, critiquing racism, colorism, religious fundamentalism, and commodified spirituality. That’s right: these issues affect people of color just like they afflict White folks. A satire of colorism and associated privileges is impossible without critiquing popular literature romanticising them. Hence, Saint Richard Parker is also a parody of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love, that romanticised white privilege in Asia, unintentionally amplifying White fetish.

Many scenes depicted in Saint Richard Parker are dramatized accounts of experiences I or my acquaintances have had. I have been called a 𝘬𝑎𝘭𝑎, 𝘬𝑒𝘭𝑖𝘯𝑔, 𝘣𝑢𝘮𝑏𝘢𝑦, 𝘰𝑟𝘢𝑛𝘨𝑢𝘵𝑎𝘯, and 𝑔𝘰𝑟𝘪𝑙𝘭𝑎—all nicknames given to people of South Asian origin for our dark skin complexion. I have even run for my life, unable to prove that I am not a child snatcher. Such incidents could be upsetting for the average Western reader sensitive to racial prejudice and discrimination. But for the Brown people in East and Southeast Asia, this is just a part of everyday life.

The scenes in Saint Richard Parker are deliberately predictable, written to mirror the fatiguing real-life experiences of Brown folks traveling/ living in East and Southeast Asia. Because the great Southeast Asian hospitality popularized by White writers is nothing but White fetish, Brown people in East and Southeast Asia seldom experience similar human connections as White travelers do. Characters float in and out of our journeys; names pop up and fade away; racially charged experiences repeat. After the rise of TikTok, Brown people have a new Medusa to deal with—algorithmically boosted racism. Suddenly, racism against South Asians has become so normal.

Eventually, life wears us out, and we give up—just like my protagonist, the most handsome Richard Parker. The silver lining is that we learn to laugh over it, since they constantly remind us to be grateful and not complain. Saint Richard Parker is a satire inspired by such laugh-worthy experiences. I hope you’ll also laugh along with the wannabe saint on this odyssey.

[a_geminireader · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if losing everything was the start of finding yourself?

"Saint Richard Parker " by Merlin Franco is a wild, witty, and deeply introspective journey that had me hooked from the very first page. It’s a perfect mix of humor, adventure, and soul-searching, making it one of those books that entertain while leaving a lasting impact.

The story follows Richard Parker, a successful businessman and journalist who, after exposing his corrupt boss, suddenly finds himself with nothing. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, he sets off on an unpredictable, hilarious, and sometimes outright bizarre journey across India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia—searching for love, enlightenment, and a sense of purpose.

What made me love this book was how effortlessly Merlin Franco blends deep, existential questions with laugh-out-loud moments. The writing is sharp, the cultural settings are richly detailed, and Parker’s misadventures are both ridiculous and profoundly relatable. I found myself laughing at his blunders, rooting for his growth, and reflecting on my own journey—because, let’s be honest, aren’t we all searching for something?

This book is for anyone who enjoys a story that makes you think, makes you laugh, and makes you feel deeply. It’s a reminder that life is unpredictable, messy, and often absurd—but that’s exactly what makes it an adventure worth embracing. " Saint Richard Parker " isn’t just a novel; it’s an experience, and I absolutely loved every moment of it!

[Tara F · Rating 3 out of 5]

An epic Homeric odyssey across southeast Asia that I struggled to get my arms around. Maybe readers with more experience in that part of the world will catch on quicker, but so much (literal) ground was covered so quickly, and so many inexplicable things happen right from the beginning that I wasn't sure if I was reading satire, dadaism or a sprawling narrative... Thankfully it turned out to be the latter, a complex braid whose pattern finally became clear as the strands began to reappear. I still have mixed feelings about the mc whose journey I tagged along on- was he sincere in his quest or a shallow wanderer trying to justify his own existence? A soul seeking its partner, honest in its desires, or a sex-obsessed lech? Maybe not knowing is a reflection of the anxieties we all suffer- or maybe I just didn't get it, lol.

I really appreciated the history and politics that became punctuation for his travels. It was much-needed context for me in the story in general and one of my favorite features of the book, getting to hear from a denizen of that part of the world and not just the western version of events that's so readily available here. Especially as relates to the interpersonal cultural tensions and responses, that it may be easy to overlook or never be exposed to as a white traveler. Look forward to finding more of this!

Many thanks to netgalley for my copy!

[Catie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The travel and spiritual journeys of Richard Parker earns a light laugh from me. I enjoyed the obviously well researched (personally experienced by the author) travel references to location, culture and food. The character’s travels through east Asia and the people he meets kept my interest throughout, and I felt like a bumbling, increasingly broke tourist myself.

However, there were several parts of the book that really lost me. There were a lot of references to Indian culture that I was not familiar with, and I felt like the humor was lost on me (SC is a caste thing and means Syrian Catholic!). If I knew more about India, the stereotypes of North and South Indians and the politics of east Asia, I think this book would have been a great time. However, since I am not familiar with the prejudices and slang of this region, I felt like I missed a lot. Also, there were a lot of side characters who made an quick appearance, but then popped up again later and I had to go back to figure out where they were from.

I enjoyed this book, but I think the readers who would enjoy it the most are people who travel or are from this region.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a humorous romp through Asia by a gentleman seeking enlightenment. A satire of the Eat Pray Love genre of travel/finding the meaning of life book, but far more realistic and very funny. The blurb says the book is great for fans of "Crazy Rich Asians", but it is far more acerbic, and not a rom com. To me it is more a Hunter S Thompson for the 21st Century. Perfect for people who hated Eat Pray Love.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

I knew I wanted to read this book when I saw that it was a satire by an Indian author. Satire? Count me in! Author who isn't from the US, Canada, or UK? Yes, please!

Follow along as delightfully self-deprecating Richard Parker gets fired for exposing cow fraud that he should have left well enough alone, then embarks on a pretentious spiritual quest, often with satirical digs at the typical "oblivious white Western lady goes to find herself in the Orient" story that's been played out one too many time (looking at you, Eat, Pray, Love!). I've never had any patience for the "find oneself" nonsense, so I really love the author's take down of this ridiculous trope.

Societal norms are very much the target of the satire, too, and sometimes the almost fetishized nature of Western/colonizer ways. I won't claim to understand all the cultural nuances here, but even I can spot some of the big dichotomies in the book: North India vs. South India, Hindi speakers vs. everyone else... there's a lot of food for thought. Outside of India we often have a lazy image of India as a very homogenous society, except maybe for religion, so it's refreshing to be able to get more context.

As a person who loves plot and narrative structure, there are times I struggled with the loosey-goosey structure here, but I love the satire so much that I was willing to go along with it. Overall, this is a great addition to the world of satirical literature and global reads!

[Rachel Coutinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Armchair travel

A bit slow in parts, but overall definitely worth the read. The characters and places all felt very real compared to most books set in these locations. Loved/hated all the tiny racist (again very real) incidents in the book.

[Abinaya Annadurai · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid reader always on the lookout for hidden gems, Saint Richard Parker exceeded all my expectations! Its indie charm combined with impeccable writing and intriguing characters made it an Indie Gem Worth Discovering a standout in the literary world. The book has been written, edited and formatted to the highest standards. It is one of those books that remind us to judge a book by its content and not the publisher. Embark on this unforgettable journey-you won't regret it, too!

[Maribel Maldonado · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the time our goofy 42 year old virgin protagonist says “I’m Parker the Great, destined to achieve greatness in the East” you better have strapped yourself in for a sweeping rip-roaring tour of Southeastern Asia.

Richard Parker is a diversified capitalist with a writer’s soul. But his book royalties on Amazon are adding up to only $11; he was fired from his miserable journalistic job for outing his boss who, while claiming to be a upright member of India’s ruling, vegetarian Hindu Brotherhood, makes millions selling cow meat to the Middle East. Berating and manhandling Richard out of the company was not enough for him; so the brute also destroyed Richard’s revenue-producing ecological Cow Dung and Urine side business and tore down his reputation on social media.

Downtrodden from his professional debacle and entrepreneurial ruin, Richard finds temporary solace back in his Southern India hometown, Little Lotus Pond. There he has an encounter with the local “witch in jeans” who, according to lore, bathes naked in the pond on moonlit nights. Not surprisingly, she, together with his dog Anonymous's howling, will inhabit his dreams and subconscious rent-free for the rest of the novel.

But Richard is nothing if not optimistic and determined to find love. In angst and perhaps in irony, as a way to jab the Western concept of “Eating, Praying, and Loving” in exotic lands, Richard joins a local guru and pivots to a personal, spiritual quest by immersing himself in Hinduism. But soon enough a retreat in Kochi makes clear that, as a Christian from the South, he is not welcome in Hindu circles…literally…so he gets chased off in a dangerous rowdy kerfuffle. This lands him directly into a an emergency rickshaw ride whose driver suggests a visit to a palm reader.

Why not? Richard firmly believes in his destiny. “You will make lots of friends from across the seven seas and mountains; you will find answers to unanswered questions; eat food nobody else has eaten; and see things nobody else has seen…” And thus through palmistry Richard's journey in East Asia is launched.

The frolicking trip takes him to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and Bali. Richard’s nomadic exploits are eased by the millennial reality of ubiquitous internet signal, technology, and aps. So upon landing in any city he immediately hooks up with locals via “swiping meditation”and immerses himself in the culture.

His non-judgmental temperament is open to all types of serendipity from fake e-betrothals, to Kizomba dance competitions, heaping plates of Mee Hoon Goring and Sarawak Kolo Mee and Milo drinks, to the musical notes of Janji Manis Mu by Aishah.

Along the way, due to his darker skin color, Richard is also the subject of constant, absurd micro-aggressions from other Asians who, in the post-colonial 21st century, remain obsessed with whiteness. In Thailand he is denied a tantric massage when he arrives at the salon where, due to his "anglo" name, a white man was expected. In Singapore he meets some Western men in sleeveless tops and tattooed biceps who call themselves “global citizens” and consume cocktails and mocktails for the sake of the trend in mixology. Richard who is always learning something new, concludes: “all white men are attractive.” And he rolls with it.

The adventures go on and on and perhaps too far…The book could have used a better editor. But the writing is good, the dialogue is snippy, the style is fresh, the satire is pointed, and the characters are mostly strong Asian females of which Malaysian Su is possibly the most charming. But by the time we get to Brunei and Bali, we are exhausted of the journey. Lucky for us, at this precise turn, Richard runs out of money and soon begins to find his way back to Little Lotus Pond where he arrives so to speak "with his tail between his legs” having failed to find love abroad…But the one with the actual (wagging) tail is his loyal Anonymous, the dog Richard had once called “a heartbeat on four legs”. Anonymous was indeed waiting for him and smelling “amazingly fresh”... and yes there is a reason for everything.

[Booksdown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saint Richard Parker is a well-written and fun book. It humorously chronicles one man's quest for love and spirituality, akin to a male version of many recent books. Richard Parker's journey, takes him across countries, encountering unique characters and navigating perilous situations, ultimately discovering himself. Beyond self-discovery, the book appeals to travel, food, and culture enthusiasts. Merlin Franco adeptly intertwines cultural norms and politics, offering a nuanced perspective beyond tourism. While the well-researched travel references captivate, unfamiliarity with Indian culture and regional nuances may pose challenges. I found it hard to understand several references in the book. Nevertheless, the book's charm resonates most with avid travelers or those familiar with the depicted regions and Indian culture.

[Matt McAvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something of a mixed bag for me, this chaotic comedy of errors and enlightenment. On the one hand, I’m a big fan of (the awesomely named) Merlin Franco, and I love his intelligent, insightful and wit-laden writing style; on the other, I wasn’t keen on this particular tale, which I would describe as a fictional travel memoir. I would say this is one for its audience – and a good one at that, which perhaps may not be clearly reflected in my writing; fans of this book will surely be those who love to read about travelling in the Far East, and perhaps those of Indian heritage, who appreciate the opportunity to endearingly laugh at themselves. Personally, I’m not necessarily a fan of travel books anyway, particularly those involving the Far East, but that may simply be because I read so many of them. If you do like comic mishap, globe-trotting adventures, though, I can promise you this will be right up your street.

Merlin is a wonderful writer, pleasant and entertaining to read, whilst being joyous literal company. Richard Parker himself is, too, in a way, in his innocent naivete, simply trying to find himself through dubious spiritual guidance – and maybe pick up a woman or two while he’s at it. I can’t say the same for the other characters in the book, though; for example, I suspect Merlin has a particular fondness for the instrumental Su, which I just didn’t share. The wit is very funny and there is a great deal to be learnt from this book about Asian culture – particularly religious harmony and disharmony, and caste social politics among the Indian race, both in India and abroad. Merlin has surely travelled the region extensively, as he knows a great deal about the countries featured, including India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and probably more. I say probably because I found the adventures to be blurring together after a while; there isn’t so much a linear plot in this book as a collection of mishaps and encounters. The humour is very funny, but again I found that much of it could be missed, as it is lost in the vast narrative. For, without wishing to be too harsh, I can sum up the biggest drawback for me in this book: it simply felt too long; key moments, including the most humorous ones, faded into long episodes of scattered monologue and dialogue.

But Merlin is fantastic. He is well knowledgeable, an enviable intellectual and philosopher, and a cracking humourist, too, with a sharp yet dry wit – I’d love to read another from him and learn more from his cultural expertise; I just feel next time he could be more ruthless with the word count and really let the best bits pop.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to start this review by saying that this is not my kind of book, and while I wasn't particularly interested in the story, I think other people might enjoy it much more.

Richard Parker is a journalist, or at least he aspires to be one. He's about to release a story that will make him famous and rich, when he suddenly finds himself without a job and his reputation ruined. He decides to go back to his little village in South India, where he lives a simple life. But he feels his life isn't complete, and while before he was focused on his career, now he wants to reach sainthood. Starting from his own country, he will embark on a journey across Southeast Asia to find his destiny. He will visit countries like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. He will meet different people, most of them women, and he will have many adventures... actually more like misadventures.

I think this book isn't exactly funny (though it's probably my fault for not seeing the humor) but it's definitely a satirical portrait of life, religion, politics, economics, love and other things. Many I didn't get, but mostly because I have never really been into things such as politics so I couldn't understand possible jokes the author made. I think people who are more interested in that will appreciate the satire a bit more.
Richard himself is not the most likeable protagonist you can find, though I feel like that was the author's intention. He is quite obsessed, naive, and... well in Italian we'd say he's got ham on his eyes. He doesn't really see things for what they are, but only sees what he wants to see. I guess that's part of the satire too so I think the author did a good job with that. You can definitely see Richard's misadventures come from his own naivete, and if he hadn't been so obsessed with the search for a wife he would have enjoyed his trip much more.
Regarding the trip itself, I haven't visited any of the countries in the book, though I wish to see some of them. Not knowing the countries he talks about, I enjoyed going on this trip with the protagonist.

To finish, I think this book is full of insights on various aspects of life and as such is worth reading. My own opinion was that the book felt a little too long, which probably is one of the reasons why I missed some of the humor, but I am still glad I gave it a try!

[Abhinal Jaiswal · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Saint Richard Parker' turned out to be an amusing and thought-provoking novel. Filled with engaging tools, events and characters - the setting of this must-read book is fascinating.

[Thakur Nikhil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel is easy to read and co-relate with, it's interesting enough to remain cheered and refreshed. You should definitely give a try!

[Prerna Shambhavee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading "Saint Richard Parker" by Merlin Franco, and I'm still grinning from ear to ear. This book is a wild, hilarious, and heartwarming ride that takes you on a spiritual journey across Southeast Asia.

Meet Richard Parker, a lovable but slightly dysfunctional guy who's lost his job, his company, and his sense of direction. He's trying to find his way, but he's not sure if he's searching for spirituality or just a good time. As he navigates the crazy streets of Southeast Asia, he encounters a cast of characters that are both outrageous and endearing.

There's Isakki, the dark witch with a penchant for menacing buffaloes; the astrologer who predicts Richard's destiny lies in the exotic East; and a host of other characters who are all trying to find their own path to enlightenment.

What I loved most about this book is its ability to poke fun at the absurdities of modern life. Merlin Franco has a keen eye for satire, and he uses it to skewer everything from racism and prejudice to commodified spirituality.

But beneath all the humor and satire, "Saint Richard Parker" is also a deeply human story about one guy's search for love and enlightenment. Richard's journey is full of twists and turns, but ultimately, it's a story about finding your true self and learning to love others.

I have to say, I was a bit skeptical about this book at first. I mean, a satire about spirituality and enlightenment? It sounded like a bit of a stretch. But Merlin Franco pulls it off with ease, and the result is a book that's both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply profound.

All-in-all, I'd highly recommend "Saint Richard Parker" to anyone looking for a fun, thought-provoking read. It's a book that will make you laugh, make you think, and maybe even inspire you to find your own path to enlightenment.

[Sakshi Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging

"Saint Richard Parker" is an engaging novel by Franco that follows the journey of Richard Parker, a smug and egocentric journalist, through the chaotic setting of New Delhi in 2014. As Parker navigates through his unconventional career path and attempts at spiritual enlightenment, the story is filled with misadventures and humorous moments. Franco's skill in creating vibrant characters and lively dialogue shines through as we join Parker on his journey across South Asia. Although the novel's length may pose a challenge, it offers readers an entertaining and fast-paced narrative that explores themes of purpose and conflicting intentions.

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-A Funny Romp-
Review of 'Saint Richard Parker' by Merlin Franco

Quote Alert
"𝐈𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲, 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬."

Saint Richard Parker is a tongue-in-cheek, foot-in-mouth story with several subtle hints at the current political climate and conditions all over the world. It takes various digs at hyper-religionism, cow vigilance, consumerism and so on.

When Richard loses his job, he is forced to retire to his village. Trying to escape a sorceress Isakki and her menacingbuffaloes, Richard, after consulting an astrologer who advises him to move East, Richard sets out on a spiritual journey, trying to find himself and the meaning of life. Various adventures later, he finally discovers what he never thought he would find- a path to enlightenment.

Jet setting across the fabulous destinations of South East Asia, Parker zooms through India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, supplying us with innumerable silly but heartwarming anecdotes. Franco has a refreshing style of writing that pokes fun at almost everything.

A fun experience.