A Humourist’s Adventures in Southeast Asia, Richard Parker will make you smile and speculate at the same time, as he takes a subtle dig at all that lies beneath the layers  

Saint Richard Parker is a man on a mission. The man with a wheelie travels across South India, Singapore, Thailand, Malayasia, Brunei and Indonesia with his heart on his sleeve. The mission could result in marriage or take him to monkhood.

A light-hearted take on Richard Parker’s quest for love guided by spirituality, author Merlin Franco takes the reader through the beautiful Southeast Asian countries.

The plot is simple. Some might consider it a funny travelogue. But I found it a satirical take on all that happens around us, including religion and politics. In fact, that is what makes this book worth reading. Adding the masala of current affairs, the religious push and shove, racism, colorism, and creating a delusional spin to reality, Franco has turned Parker’s travels and meetings into a giant roller coaster ride.  

Parker’s journey across Asia reminds me of the Fool in the Tarot cards. A man ready to jump off the cliff without looking anywhere, a carefree soul who is just passing through life without weighing any pros and cons.

Like most inner searches, journalist Parker’s journey also begins with a loss. He loses his job and company, thanks to finding the kingpin selling beef in a Hindu nation. The kingpin is none other than his Chief Editor, the owner of the media house where he is employed.

There is a single plot and many situations woven in that. Parker is unemployed, a failed writer and escapes trolling by running from the city to his village home. He lives the simple life, earning by leasing his banana farms and is lost between religions and diverse viewpoints. He has no career or financial goals—everything is about moksha or marriage.

Contrary to expectations, the protagonist boasts of a belly, is always lusting after young women, is dark skinned with curly hair. Here, is a messy man from southern parts of India, who wears a lungi, bathes in the village pond and listens to the village priest. He is scared of village women and loves to keep abreast of gossip.

The author has described some parts very well, such as the pilgrimage to the famous Ayappa temple in Sabarimala, the preparation for it, the lynching of ‘rice bag converts’ and the hypocrisy that makes up human life. None rise against the powerful.

On the advice of an astrologer, he turns eastwards and with Rs 4 lakh left in his bank, he travels across four countries. The cultural nuggets are rooted in irony, making you smile, gasp and speculate at the same time. For instance, babies in Indonesia are not kept on earth for 105 days, as they are little angels. The colours of Bangkok, famous for its massages, are well portrayed.

The author has put him through all the situations possible, from being called a ‘rice bag convert’, kelling, kallu, to being mistaken for a beggar, rejected by women, shot at by tribals, mistaken for a refugee and being bulldozed by the village witch, until he discovers life’s truths in his village after squandering his meagre bank balance.

Throughout the book, Parker keeps conversing with Bhagwan Rajneesh aka famous spiritual guru Osho. From trying to find love to discovering a tantra retreat, seeing the shades of Hinduism in Indonesia and finding women who discard him, Saint Richard Parker is a delightful read. Pick it up when you are sad and need someone to bring a smile to your face.

Book Details
Kindle Edition: Rs 160
Language: ‎English

This post is a part of Book Dragon Blog Hop by Outset Books.