Morgan Parker (2)

Oh, dear God in Heaven. Morgan Parker is one of this century's most incredible writers. I have had the privilege of reading and reviewing all of Morgan's novels and the writing in Sick Day doesn't disappoint.

Once again Morgan has written a masterpiece that has lodged itself in my soul. I have never know anyone that was so prolific a writer in my short tenure as a reviewer, but Morgan Parker is definitely that author!

“I believe,” I say, just loudly enough to catch her attention. “I show more believe you live once and that better opportunities are lost on second chances. I believe true love is about as real as Santa Claus, but ‘tis the season, so let’s play this game... I believe that you fall in ‘love’ with the person who lets you love him or her the way you want, on your terms. I believe if someone says he ‘loves you more than air,’ he’s lying to you. I believe that love is not about forgiveness. It’s about acceptance, and acceptance keeps relationships alive. I believe in the stories that are never told. I believe that if you have to fight for love, you’re trying to force a square peg into a round hole. I believe that your flaws are what make you beautiful. Deal with it.”

“Cameron,” she sighs, but I see the glint of recognition in her eyes. “What are you doing?”

I ignore her and continue reading from the page. “I believe that two people are just that— two people. I believe that two married people are two individuals with one shared goal and one shared delusion. I believe delusions are a good thing until you start involving drugs, threesomes, and whips. Stay pure. I believe that in your heart, you have blood not love. And that blood is to the heart what ideas, not love, are to the mind. I believe that happy endings happen in real life when I fall asleep, thinking of the smiles on the faces of the children I want to have. I believe that all stories are written for me —that same story means something different for you, and that’s okay. I believe in freedom for everyone; everyone has the right to hunt or to hide or both. I believe that mothers are sacred, and anyone who tells a mother what to do has self-esteem issues. I believe that true character gets revealed in actions, not in what someone says about himself. I believe that ‘promise’ is one word, and any one word means nothing. I believe that if you never hurt, you never find happiness; the bigger you hurt, the bigger your happiness. I believe in friendships that last a lifetime and in friends that support you even when you are dead wrong. I believe that most of the decisions you make are the wrong ones. So celebrate your victories, celebrate hard because they’re rare. I believe that if you can make decisions objectively, you will never be wrong. Or hurt. Or happy. I believe that we cry for ourselves, not for others. I believe that tears are a lot like rage— you need to get that poison out of your system periodically, or it will kill you.”

“Cameron, of course I remember this.” She pulls at her collar and shakes her head at me, her face a little red at having heard the words she had written to me so long ago. “Are you happy now? Happy I remember? Now can we forget about it and get out of here?”

“Just let me finish,” I insist, dropping my attention back to the page. “I believe that when you die, you die alone, and…” I pause because this part always killed me. “And I believe that goodbyes are forever.”

This is one of the most incredible prose ever written! And the love pouring from Cam to Hope leaves me feeling so lost, so helpless, so alone in my mortal relationship here on this earth. Surely a love of this depth is a thing of Angels and Heaven above.

If you take the time to read this book, you won't regret it. And if it doesn't touch your heart, this love, I don't know what to say.

This is my new, most favorite book and I highly recommend it with a set of five glowing, gold stars!

~ Patricia, Room With Books ~ © April 23, 2014 show less

Morgan Parker has a sensational wit and uses it to his advantage in writing the story within a story that is non fric-tion.



It has taken me several days of not thinking about non fric-tion to be able to sit and actually write a review. I had to decide how I truly felt about this novel. Several days later I am now looking at the book through a different set of eyes, and looking on it much more favorably.

This poor man, Morgan, loses everything in his life in one fell swoop. His wife, whom I show more think he thinks he loves, his daughter, his dignity . . . then he has a hit on the indie author circuit with a quickly thought up book of texting. With this notoriety, and potential for fame and fortune, comes his wife, suddenly desiring marital counseling.

Both Jennifer (Princess B*tch) and Morgan begin counseling from a place of hurt, anger and bitterness, not from love. Through their counseling sessions, and homework each week, they begin to unravel the cloth of what exactly went wrong in their marriage and what role each of them played in its demise.

There is a tone of autobiographical writing in non fric-tion, though I’ve been assured that this author is nothing like his character. The entire cast of characters is entirely, well mostly, believable. They behave in a manner I see consistent with today’s society, from the self-absorbed running from man to man by Princess, to the seeking of self-affirmation by Morgan.

The language is a little tough at times, but again, it represents the situation the author in the book finds himself. Mr. Parker does warn his readers of the adult content, and actually counted the number of f-bombs his characters dropped.

This book garners four stars and a hope for further writing by Mr. Parker.

~Patricia, Room With Books~ © Jan 28, 2014 show less

Jane Hunt Writer First Steps

Jane Hunt Writer Book Reviews Google



I didn't know what to expect when I started reading Non Fric.tion especially since the author is a man who writes under a pen name adding an extra layer of mystery and anonymity.

The story's concept deals with Morgan Barker's survival plan when his marriage of more than twelve years ends after his wife walks out of the marital home taking his only child.

I found all the main characters very realistic. They were easy to imagine show more but not always likeable. Non Fric.tion is full of sharp observational humour which kept me turning the pages. The story reminded me of a literary version of a reality show.

Morgan Barker the 'hero' tells his own story and this makes it both cynical and poignant. The plot is complex and the ending is unexpected.


I usually prefer my reading to have a heavy dose of escapism and this story didn't give me this but it is compelling and appealing in a quirky way. I especially liked the story within the story angle.
If you want something a little different Non Fric.tion is for you.

I received a copy of Non Friction from the author as part of his blog tour in exchange for an honest review. show less

I took my time to read, then re-read this beautiful story before I could begin to write a review.

I first became acquainted with Mr. Parker's writing through non fric~tion. It took me a bit of time to get used to the tone and concept of his writing and I found that, given thought and a more open mind, I absolutely loved it!

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting in Hope, but I found it, and I'm still carrying it around with me. Love and longing fill the pages and I could put myself in the show more story with Oliver and Oliva more than once.

This is such a touching story of love and filled with so much heart, how can I do anything but recommend it to anyone who loves a love story!

~Patricia, Room With Books~ © Feb 14, 2014 show less