Review: No Hope for Gomez! by Graham Parke

No Hope for Gomez! by Graham Parke, AF, 2010, 189p, Rating=4
Source: printed copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review

It's the age-old tale:
Boy meets girl.
Boy stalks girl.
Girl already has a stalker.
Boy becomes her stalker-stalker.
We've seen it all before, many times, but this time it's different. If only slightly. When Gomez Porter becomes a test subject in an experimental drug trial, he is asked to keep track of any strange experiences through a blog. What Gomez isn't ready for, is so many of his experiences suddenly seeming strange; the antiques dealer trying to buy his old tax papers, his neighbor boiling salamanders on his balcony at midnight, the super sexy lab assistant who falls for him but is unable to express herself in terms outside the realm of science. But when one of the trial participants turns up dead and another goes missing, Gomez begins to fear for his life. No longer sure who he can trust and which of his experiences are real and which merely drug induced illusions, he decides it's time to go underground and work out a devious plan.
Now, years later, his blogs have been recovered from a defunct server. For the first time we can find out firsthand what happened to Gomez as he takes us on a wild ride of discovery. (Goodreads)

This is one of those books that needs reflection before one can appreciate the quality of it's art.  At least this was how it was for me.  See, the read seemed dull and I was feeling that it wasn't going anywhere soon enough for me.  It was the sprinkles of laugh out loud chuckle moments that entertained and kept me hopeful that things would move along.  But right up until the very end, I felt amiss.  The first thought out of my mind was, "That was strange.".  Yes, indeed the characters and plot was strange but in retrospect I think I got a glimpse of the author's vision.  I saw Mr. Parke toying with the concept of a human mind's reciprocity between imaginary and reality.  Hence, the birth of Gomez, the clueless antique dealer, his good for sweeping sidekick, Hicks, and the rest of the colorful cast.  Mix in an outlandish plot (see blurb above) and you've got yourself one big dose of a hopeful look in life.  Because it is the peculiar that really knows how to live life.  The normal ones get into a routine and if not careful, life can be dull and dreary for them!  However, if a person mixes in a portion of imagination, well life can be fun, exciting, and you'd make great friends.  There was hope for Gomez after all!  Well done Mr. Parke!

Gift Offer

Mr. Parke is offering for my readers a free sequel to this book ...to those who purchase No Hope for Gomez!.  Go HERE for details (it is an old post but he is extending the offer for you). 

Mr. Parke also stated that he will stop by here and answer any questions you might have for him so please feel free to leave those inquiries for him in the comment section.