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NoHope universe
No Hope for Gomez!
Winner of the Forewords Book of the Year Awards, featured on Kirkus Best Indie List 2011, IBA and USA Book News Award nominee.
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.
Gomez is eternally bewildered by the ease with which others navigate the world. He’s never had much luck with women, or jobs, or anything really. Even gravity seems to pull on him a little harder than it does on others. But when he enters a medical trail and a super sexy research assistant falls for him, he thinks his luck has changed – even if that assistant has trouble expressing 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 whom he can trust and which of his experiences are actually real and which merely drug induced delusions, he decides to go underground and work out a devious plan.
"Extremely witty and clever writing that contains keen insights into human nature." --California Chronicle
"Challenges the way we think about, and interact with, the world around us." --Kirkus Discoveries
"The antics in this book will leave the reader laughing. Graham Parke is a genius." --Readers Favorite
"A quick and unputdownable read that flies in the face of reason, and smashes against the wall of detective novels. It's a Coens Brothers' film formatted in book form." --Book Review
"A very funny book; a veritable page turner of nonstop laughs. Buy a copy and find out for yourself!" --Reader Views
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.
Gomez is eternally bewildered by the ease with which others navigate the world. He’s never had much luck with women, or jobs, or anything really. Even gravity seems to pull on him a little harder than it does on others. But when he enters a medical trail and a super sexy research assistant falls for him, he thinks his luck has changed – even if that assistant has trouble expressing 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 whom he can trust and which of his experiences are actually real and which merely drug induced delusions, he decides to go underground and work out a devious plan.
"Extremely witty and clever writing that contains keen insights into human nature." --California Chronicle
"Challenges the way we think about, and interact with, the world around us." --Kirkus Discoveries
"The antics in this book will leave the reader laughing. Graham Parke is a genius." --Readers Favorite
"A quick and unputdownable read that flies in the face of reason, and smashes against the wall of detective novels. It's a Coens Brothers' film formatted in book form." --Book Review
"A very funny book; a veritable page turner of nonstop laughs. Buy a copy and find out for yourself!" --Reader Views
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2010
About the author
Graham Parke
8 books210 followersForewords Book of the Year winner, Kirkus Indie Best-Lister, EPIC, IBA, and NY Literary Magazine finalist, Graham Parke is responsible for a number of bewildering publications and has recently attempted to patent a self-folding map. He has been described as both a humanitarian and a pathological liar. Convincing evidence to support either allegation has yet to be produced.
The award winning "NoHope universe" series is his fiction debut.
The award winning "NoHope universe" series is his fiction debut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
December 16, 2010
and so it has happened. the well has run dry. i officially have nothing to say about this book. so what's my problem?? did i enjoy reading it?? i did. did i find it funny?? i did. did i think the plot was engaging and the characters interesting and the premise amusing?? i did. so why am i finding it so difficult to write a review?? is it reviewer burnout?? is it because i am covered in flour and glue and whatnot from holiday baking and crafting and my brain is full of nervous cross-language retrieval google scholar invisible web factiva spiders blah blah blah for my final on monday??
tabula rasa's got nothing on me.
i love the idea of a phone-sex salesman, i love the sweet awkward telephone calls between gomez and dr. hargrove, i love so many small details. and i enjoyed the story - except i hated the second epilogue - so - seriously, why can't i find anything to say?
is it because the story DEFIES DESCRIPTION?? no. it is a story comprised of sequential blog entries by a man running an inherited and unsuccessful antiques shop who volunteers for a medical study to make extra money. while involved in the project, he falls in love with the woman with whom he meets for his updates, learns she has a stalker, and offers to stalk her stalker to find out information and to protect her and be a hero. there are great supporting characters in the form of neighbor who really wants gomez to read his manuscript(s) for his novel(s), and a very persnickity employee at the antiques store who mostly just sweeps stuff.
and.... ummm...
i don't know.
but seriously - it is ten dollars and it helps the small-press/self-published people win! this holiday season, give the gift of ten freaking dollars.and give me my brain back.
after monday, my life will be awesome again.
wait for it.
tabula rasa's got nothing on me.
i love the idea of a phone-sex salesman, i love the sweet awkward telephone calls between gomez and dr. hargrove, i love so many small details. and i enjoyed the story - except i hated the second epilogue - so - seriously, why can't i find anything to say?
is it because the story DEFIES DESCRIPTION?? no. it is a story comprised of sequential blog entries by a man running an inherited and unsuccessful antiques shop who volunteers for a medical study to make extra money. while involved in the project, he falls in love with the woman with whom he meets for his updates, learns she has a stalker, and offers to stalk her stalker to find out information and to protect her and be a hero. there are great supporting characters in the form of neighbor who really wants gomez to read his manuscript(s) for his novel(s), and a very persnickity employee at the antiques store who mostly just sweeps stuff.
and.... ummm...
i don't know.
but seriously - it is ten dollars and it helps the small-press/self-published people win! this holiday season, give the gift of ten freaking dollars.and give me my brain back.
after monday, my life will be awesome again.
wait for it.
April 11, 2015
Hands down, this was the funniest book I've read this year. The year isn't over yet, but I doubt that statement will change.
Gomez Porter is an unsuccessful antiques dealer who's decided to earn some extra cash by becoming a test subject in an experimental drug trial. As part of the trial, he was asked to keep a blog reporting his experiences, no matter how mundane or unimportant they may seem. And that's the content of No Hope for Gomez!: Gomez's quirky and hilarious blog entries.
Gomez has no idea what kind of drugs he's on, so he has no way of knowing what kind of "experiences" and side effects the doctors expect him to report. He doesn't care, though. He only cares about Dr. Hargrove, the scientist who's running the drug trial. Unfortunately, none of his feeble and clumsy attempts at charming her seem to work - until a stalker gives him the perfect opportunity to show her how great he is. It looks like Dr. Hargrove is being stalked by someone, so Gomez comes up with the idea of catching her stalker by stalking her himself - I mean, he'll be technically her stalker's stalker, but he can't stalk someone he doesn't know so he'll be in fact stalking Dr. Hargrove in order to identify and catch her primary stalker. :D
At the same time, things become stranger and stranger in Gomez's life. One of the trial participants turns up dead, then the detective investigating the case disappears. Gomez suspects there's something amiss with the experimental drug trial, but Dr. Hargrove assures him that they aren't testing anything dangerous. He loves her, but should he trust her? Would she tell him if his life was in danger? Maybe she doesn't really know what the pills she gives him weekly do. What if he's scheduled to die next? Is there Hope for Gomez???
As this story is told from Gomez's POV and I was aware that he was participating in a drug trial whose side effects were unknown, I was constantly tying to guess which of the experiences he reported on his blog were real and which were drug-induced illusions. Was he really in love with Dr. Hargrove? Was the death of one trial participant that unusual? Did his downstairs neighboor Warren really dance the meringue on an overturned bathtub in stiletto heels and stir-fry hamsters in his balcony? What about the bizarre customers who popped up into Gomez's antiques store? Did he actually meet a man wearing a fake moustache, a three-piece suit, sandals and a sombrero? Was I going crazy because some of that stuff started to make sense to me? LOL!
This book caught me completely by surprise. It was LOL funny, with the kind of humor I like: dry, sarcastic and quirky. I've seen some reviews on this book mentioning Woody Allen and Douglas Adams, and I have to agree: Mr. Parke's writing, full of witty observations about human life and its endless absurdities, reminded me of them. Not a bad thing, as I love their work. :)
No Hope for Gomez! is Mr. Parke's debut book and he couldn't have done better. I'll be definitely on the lookout for his next release.
Disclaimer: I was asked by the author to read and review this book. Once I agreed, he sent me a copy of the book free of charge. Those facts had no influence on my review/rating.
Gomez Porter is an unsuccessful antiques dealer who's decided to earn some extra cash by becoming a test subject in an experimental drug trial. As part of the trial, he was asked to keep a blog reporting his experiences, no matter how mundane or unimportant they may seem. And that's the content of No Hope for Gomez!: Gomez's quirky and hilarious blog entries.
Gomez has no idea what kind of drugs he's on, so he has no way of knowing what kind of "experiences" and side effects the doctors expect him to report. He doesn't care, though. He only cares about Dr. Hargrove, the scientist who's running the drug trial. Unfortunately, none of his feeble and clumsy attempts at charming her seem to work - until a stalker gives him the perfect opportunity to show her how great he is. It looks like Dr. Hargrove is being stalked by someone, so Gomez comes up with the idea of catching her stalker by stalking her himself - I mean, he'll be technically her stalker's stalker, but he can't stalk someone he doesn't know so he'll be in fact stalking Dr. Hargrove in order to identify and catch her primary stalker. :D
At the same time, things become stranger and stranger in Gomez's life. One of the trial participants turns up dead, then the detective investigating the case disappears. Gomez suspects there's something amiss with the experimental drug trial, but Dr. Hargrove assures him that they aren't testing anything dangerous. He loves her, but should he trust her? Would she tell him if his life was in danger? Maybe she doesn't really know what the pills she gives him weekly do. What if he's scheduled to die next? Is there Hope for Gomez???
As this story is told from Gomez's POV and I was aware that he was participating in a drug trial whose side effects were unknown, I was constantly tying to guess which of the experiences he reported on his blog were real and which were drug-induced illusions. Was he really in love with Dr. Hargrove? Was the death of one trial participant that unusual? Did his downstairs neighboor Warren really dance the meringue on an overturned bathtub in stiletto heels and stir-fry hamsters in his balcony? What about the bizarre customers who popped up into Gomez's antiques store? Did he actually meet a man wearing a fake moustache, a three-piece suit, sandals and a sombrero? Was I going crazy because some of that stuff started to make sense to me? LOL!
This book caught me completely by surprise. It was LOL funny, with the kind of humor I like: dry, sarcastic and quirky. I've seen some reviews on this book mentioning Woody Allen and Douglas Adams, and I have to agree: Mr. Parke's writing, full of witty observations about human life and its endless absurdities, reminded me of them. Not a bad thing, as I love their work. :)
No Hope for Gomez! is Mr. Parke's debut book and he couldn't have done better. I'll be definitely on the lookout for his next release.
Disclaimer: I was asked by the author to read and review this book. Once I agreed, he sent me a copy of the book free of charge. Those facts had no influence on my review/rating.
June 22, 2010
"Instead of heading for the big mental breakdown, I decided to have a little one every Tuesday evening." Gomez Porter, No Hope for Gomez!
"Extremely witty and clever writing that contains keen insights into human nature." California Chronicle
"The antics in this book will leave the reader laughing. Graham Parke is a genius." Readers Favorite
"Seriously, one of the best darn books I've ever written!" Graham Parke
"A quick and unputdownable read that flies in the face of reason, and smashes against the wall of detective novels. It's a Coens Brothers' film formatted in book form. Book Review
“A very funny book; a veritable page turner of nonstop laughs. Buy a copy and find out for yourself!" Reader Views
"It is swift, light, and fun with a great flow. Reading it feels like listening to a friend tell a story."
Beths Book review
"Extremely witty and clever writing that contains keen insights into human nature." California Chronicle
"The antics in this book will leave the reader laughing. Graham Parke is a genius." Readers Favorite
"Seriously, one of the best darn books I've ever written!" Graham Parke
"A quick and unputdownable read that flies in the face of reason, and smashes against the wall of detective novels. It's a Coens Brothers' film formatted in book form. Book Review
“A very funny book; a veritable page turner of nonstop laughs. Buy a copy and find out for yourself!" Reader Views
"It is swift, light, and fun with a great flow. Reading it feels like listening to a friend tell a story."
Beths Book review
October 11, 2010
I found this novel on “the funniest reads of 2010” list. I was looking for something light that would really make me laugh, but I was also suspicious of so called ‘hilarious novels’. Most of the time, they are horrible. “No Hope for Gomez!” was a wonderful break from that norm! My apprehension disappeared before I even read the first page! (Fans of this novel will know what happens even before the start of chapter one ;)
But “No Hope for Gomez!” isn’t what you’d call a joke book. The characters grow on you and you find yourself rooting for them, sharing their mysteries and romances, thinking along with their interesting views on life. This is very much a novel of our new millennium, dealing equally well with new social dynamics and good old human interaction ;) This book feels like it was written by the genetically altered offspring of Woody Allen and Douglas Adams, born kicking and screaming into our weird new time ;)
Carve out some time for this little gem, because I guarantee you will not be able to put it down.
But “No Hope for Gomez!” isn’t what you’d call a joke book. The characters grow on you and you find yourself rooting for them, sharing their mysteries and romances, thinking along with their interesting views on life. This is very much a novel of our new millennium, dealing equally well with new social dynamics and good old human interaction ;) This book feels like it was written by the genetically altered offspring of Woody Allen and Douglas Adams, born kicking and screaming into our weird new time ;)
Carve out some time for this little gem, because I guarantee you will not be able to put it down.
September 6, 2010
Blog entry. Contacted by someone called Graham Parke. He wants me to review his book, No Hope For Gomez. Reply to say why not, but tell him he'll get an extra star if it's hand-delivered by an attractive woman in a Versace frock. Point him to my page on this subject. Feel I should do some work. Go to Bugzilla and look down buglist. Mark bug as duplicate of other bug.
Blog entry. Reply from Graham Parke. He says none of the attractive women in his employment will wear anything but jeans and wet t-shirts. Since we're clearly unable to agree, it will be delivered by a heavyset Royal Mail lesbian. I suggest compromising on a tight, low-necked sweater, but get no further reply. Go to Bugzilla again. Change ownership of bug, then mark it as WONTFIX.
Blog entry. Off to France to visit research colleague. Eat dinner with my hosts. On waking up next morning, discover that both ankles are covered in mosquito bites. Wonder why just the ankles.
Blog entry. Have to spend most of the day working. While my colleague is making a cup of tea, sneak off and post a review. She pretends not to notice.
Blog entry. Arrive home. No Hope For Gomez is lying on the hall table. Try to think of some way to ask my wife whether it was hand-delivered by a scantily-dressed young woman. Out of ideas. Maybe something will occur to me later.
Blog entry. Start reading No Hope For Gomez. It reminds me slightly of Kafka. Post an update to say so. Worried that this may sound pretentious, so add that maybe it doesn't. Hope this will sound more balanced. Feel I should do some work. Go to Bugzilla and open bug for colleague. Tell him it's urgent.
Blog entry. Get to the part with the hot lady scientist. Think of hot lady scientists I know. Find she has big tits. Try to think if any of the ones I know have big tits. Can't immediately come up with a name. For some reason this makes me uneasy. Go to Bugzilla and open colleague's bug. Remind him it's very urgent.
Blog entry. Finish No Hope For Gomez. Don't know what to put in review. Decide to explain background, will write review later. Go to Bugzilla and tell colleague that second bug is in fact more urgent than first one. Signing off for now.
____________________________________
Blog entry. Every hot, big-titted lady scientist I know has indignantly written to me asking for an explanation. Decide to change name and move to Mexico. Will do so as soon as I've thought of a good name.
Blog entry. Reply from Graham Parke. He says none of the attractive women in his employment will wear anything but jeans and wet t-shirts. Since we're clearly unable to agree, it will be delivered by a heavyset Royal Mail lesbian. I suggest compromising on a tight, low-necked sweater, but get no further reply. Go to Bugzilla again. Change ownership of bug, then mark it as WONTFIX.
Blog entry. Off to France to visit research colleague. Eat dinner with my hosts. On waking up next morning, discover that both ankles are covered in mosquito bites. Wonder why just the ankles.
Blog entry. Have to spend most of the day working. While my colleague is making a cup of tea, sneak off and post a review. She pretends not to notice.
Blog entry. Arrive home. No Hope For Gomez is lying on the hall table. Try to think of some way to ask my wife whether it was hand-delivered by a scantily-dressed young woman. Out of ideas. Maybe something will occur to me later.
Blog entry. Start reading No Hope For Gomez. It reminds me slightly of Kafka. Post an update to say so. Worried that this may sound pretentious, so add that maybe it doesn't. Hope this will sound more balanced. Feel I should do some work. Go to Bugzilla and open bug for colleague. Tell him it's urgent.
Blog entry. Get to the part with the hot lady scientist. Think of hot lady scientists I know. Find she has big tits. Try to think if any of the ones I know have big tits. Can't immediately come up with a name. For some reason this makes me uneasy. Go to Bugzilla and open colleague's bug. Remind him it's very urgent.
Blog entry. Finish No Hope For Gomez. Don't know what to put in review. Decide to explain background, will write review later. Go to Bugzilla and tell colleague that second bug is in fact more urgent than first one. Signing off for now.
____________________________________
Blog entry. Every hot, big-titted lady scientist I know has indignantly written to me asking for an explanation. Decide to change name and move to Mexico. Will do so as soon as I've thought of a good name.
June 25, 2010
A Novel in the Style of Our Time
Graham Parke has managed to capture far more than the reader's attention to an interesting tale about contemporary relationships (or lack of lasting ones) by the manner in which he writes. He marries old-fashioned drama with the quirks of current communication techniques and in addition to completing a fast read of a novel, he has successfully explored how we relate to who we are in flesh and blood as opposed to who we create as 'us' by hiding in the interstices of the computer keys. But the inventions of this novel don't stop there.
Gomez Porter is the strange mainstay of this book and he communicates both with himself and with us the reader, through the now completely popular methodology of Blogging. Every page of the book is a series of blogs written by Gomez and it is in this occult manner of getting a story out that we discover just who this character is. Gomez is part of an experimental drug program overseen by a Dr. Hargrove and exactly what the drug is or is supposed to do is rather hidden in the text. The fascinating aspect of this premise is that the reader is never really sure whether the narrator is writing under the mind-altering influence of this drug experiment or not. The story has twists and turns that fascinate at times, make us laugh at times, fill space with some rather pedestrian ideas at times, but in the end this little novel feels like an experiment. There is a strong suggestion of what the story intent of the author is about by the cover image of a sculpted representation of Milton's poem 'Il Penseroso' (the pensive melancholy celebrated in Il Penseroso represents the ascetic life of study) facing a red Mexican hat (deal with the ambiguity!).
Graham Parke writes so well that it seems he has a lot more to say about contemporary psychology and it will be a pleasure waiting for his next challenging adventure. His is a clever mind.
Grady Harp
Graham Parke has managed to capture far more than the reader's attention to an interesting tale about contemporary relationships (or lack of lasting ones) by the manner in which he writes. He marries old-fashioned drama with the quirks of current communication techniques and in addition to completing a fast read of a novel, he has successfully explored how we relate to who we are in flesh and blood as opposed to who we create as 'us' by hiding in the interstices of the computer keys. But the inventions of this novel don't stop there.
Gomez Porter is the strange mainstay of this book and he communicates both with himself and with us the reader, through the now completely popular methodology of Blogging. Every page of the book is a series of blogs written by Gomez and it is in this occult manner of getting a story out that we discover just who this character is. Gomez is part of an experimental drug program overseen by a Dr. Hargrove and exactly what the drug is or is supposed to do is rather hidden in the text. The fascinating aspect of this premise is that the reader is never really sure whether the narrator is writing under the mind-altering influence of this drug experiment or not. The story has twists and turns that fascinate at times, make us laugh at times, fill space with some rather pedestrian ideas at times, but in the end this little novel feels like an experiment. There is a strong suggestion of what the story intent of the author is about by the cover image of a sculpted representation of Milton's poem 'Il Penseroso' (the pensive melancholy celebrated in Il Penseroso represents the ascetic life of study) facing a red Mexican hat (deal with the ambiguity!).
Graham Parke writes so well that it seems he has a lot more to say about contemporary psychology and it will be a pleasure waiting for his next challenging adventure. His is a clever mind.
Grady Harp
August 18, 2010
Yesterday I sat in a local coffee shop reading No Hope for Gomez and received glances from others quietly reading their newspapers, text books, and other inspiring material. The looks had to do with my uncontrollable laughter that twice made me spill my coffee (Graham Parke owes me a new pair of pants). One individual with dread locks and smelling like Patchouli oil felt compelled enough by my laughter to shake my shoulder and interrupt my good time so he could write down the title of the book. If I hadn’t been in such good spirits, the smell alone could have ruined my day, but I smiled and showed him the cover.
Few authors can make me laugh out-loud in a public place (David Sedaris, Christopher Moore) but No Hope for Gomez does just that. Though it's funny, I would not compare Parke's work to the above mentioned authors. He is wittier than those two and Gomez reflects a person some of us might know or at least someone all of us want to sit down and drink a beer with (Corona perhaps because of Gomez's decent and all) so we can laugh our asses off and realize life is to be enjoyed. The work is completely original in its writing style and format. I would explain why but really you should just get the book and find out for yourself. Even if you don't have a sense of humor, No Hope for Gomez is a compelling story that keeps you turning from page to page and like all good books leaves you satisfied at the end.
R
Few authors can make me laugh out-loud in a public place (David Sedaris, Christopher Moore) but No Hope for Gomez does just that. Though it's funny, I would not compare Parke's work to the above mentioned authors. He is wittier than those two and Gomez reflects a person some of us might know or at least someone all of us want to sit down and drink a beer with (Corona perhaps because of Gomez's decent and all) so we can laugh our asses off and realize life is to be enjoyed. The work is completely original in its writing style and format. I would explain why but really you should just get the book and find out for yourself. Even if you don't have a sense of humor, No Hope for Gomez is a compelling story that keeps you turning from page to page and like all good books leaves you satisfied at the end.
R
May 7, 2010
From the moment I saw this book and read the funny description, I knew I had to read it. Was I ever blown away by the kindness of another blogger when she offered to send it to me. As soon as I got it at my door, it was on!
Needless to say, the affair was brief, and yes it was THAT good! However my love affair continues...
The author really knows how to use his humorous side to his advantage in writing. Very quick witted throughout, and I laughed like a mad woman out loud often. I couldn't help how lost I got in the story. And yes, beyond the humor there was a mysterious plot happening. It was thick too. The blend of both was a perfect mixture to make for a great afternoon delight!
One criticism, yes there is one, curious as to how a guy who's knocked out or indisposed of can blog, but whatev's. Okay two criticisms... abrupt ending.
I am most definitely putting this on my recommendation list. I wouldn't dream of ritualistically burning it... (Private joke for Graham)... I shall only pass this quirky yet wonderful read onto another.
Needless to say, the affair was brief, and yes it was THAT good! However my love affair continues...
The author really knows how to use his humorous side to his advantage in writing. Very quick witted throughout, and I laughed like a mad woman out loud often. I couldn't help how lost I got in the story. And yes, beyond the humor there was a mysterious plot happening. It was thick too. The blend of both was a perfect mixture to make for a great afternoon delight!
One criticism, yes there is one, curious as to how a guy who's knocked out or indisposed of can blog, but whatev's. Okay two criticisms... abrupt ending.
I am most definitely putting this on my recommendation list. I wouldn't dream of ritualistically burning it... (Private joke for Graham)... I shall only pass this quirky yet wonderful read onto another.
April 27, 2010
Every once in a long while I’ll come across a book that I know I'll love from the very first line. No Hope is for Gomez is such a book. It is written as a series of blogs written by the main character, and this gives the story a very intimate feel. Also, Mr. Parke has a great, if somewhat strange, sense of humor. I found myself laughing throughout.
The story is about Gomez who ends up enrolling himself in an experimental drug trail for some extra cash. What follows is a roller coaster ride of subtle humor and events that border on the surreal. Part of the beautiful otherworldly feel to this book is generated by an intriguing cast of secondary characters, who end up growing on you as easily as Gomez does. I did end up pacing myself with this book, but that was because I really didn't want the ride to end.
The story is about Gomez who ends up enrolling himself in an experimental drug trail for some extra cash. What follows is a roller coaster ride of subtle humor and events that border on the surreal. Part of the beautiful otherworldly feel to this book is generated by an intriguing cast of secondary characters, who end up growing on you as easily as Gomez does. I did end up pacing myself with this book, but that was because I really didn't want the ride to end.
April 17, 2015
2.5 stars
After reading the following passages in the first few pages of the book I had very high hopes that I would love it.
It sounds like my neighbor is stir-frying hamsters in a large enameled wok. And let me tell you, that kind of sound messes with your ability to drift away peacefully.
Note to self: Throw away old socks and invest in 15 pairs of black, unpatterned socks. Should speed up my morning routine by 35 to 48 minutes.
Warren came over to play a game of Ludo. I asked him not to. I told him at the door that it would probably be a bad idea, what with me not really liking him and everything, mostly hating him in fact, but he smiled, said I was a 'funny guy', and pushed past me into my living room.
That being said, even though there are many funny passages throughout this book, there is no real character development. I didn't know anything more about the characters at the end of the book as I did when I started. There were so many things I wanted to get to the bottom of...interesting personality quirks I really wanted to understand. I think this could've been a brilliant book if that had happened.
I will probably read another book Graham Parke has written because he is funny.
After reading the following passages in the first few pages of the book I had very high hopes that I would love it.
It sounds like my neighbor is stir-frying hamsters in a large enameled wok. And let me tell you, that kind of sound messes with your ability to drift away peacefully.
Note to self: Throw away old socks and invest in 15 pairs of black, unpatterned socks. Should speed up my morning routine by 35 to 48 minutes.
Warren came over to play a game of Ludo. I asked him not to. I told him at the door that it would probably be a bad idea, what with me not really liking him and everything, mostly hating him in fact, but he smiled, said I was a 'funny guy', and pushed past me into my living room.
That being said, even though there are many funny passages throughout this book, there is no real character development. I didn't know anything more about the characters at the end of the book as I did when I started. There were so many things I wanted to get to the bottom of...interesting personality quirks I really wanted to understand. I think this could've been a brilliant book if that had happened.
I will probably read another book Graham Parke has written because he is funny.
June 27, 2015
So much fun!
I got this book on a whim. It was cheap and the premise sounded just absurd enough for me to get a few laughs. I like stories with a good farce. I wasn't expecting to not be able to put this one down.
The plot and writing plays out like a Coen and Coen movie- Cleverly written with whit, realism and even a little seemingly misplaced violence that just adds a bit of edge to the story and the moral.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something truly dry, awkward and unexpectedly relatable.
This book is one of the best books I have read in a while.
I got this book on a whim. It was cheap and the premise sounded just absurd enough for me to get a few laughs. I like stories with a good farce. I wasn't expecting to not be able to put this one down.
The plot and writing plays out like a Coen and Coen movie- Cleverly written with whit, realism and even a little seemingly misplaced violence that just adds a bit of edge to the story and the moral.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something truly dry, awkward and unexpectedly relatable.
This book is one of the best books I have read in a while.
June 25, 2010
I came to this book through a friend of mine. As I completely agree with her review, and she's far more eloquent than I will ever be, I asked her permission to reprint her review:
From the moment Gomez Porter enters an experimental drug trail for some extra cash, his life is turned upside down. For starters, there's Christine, the sexy lab assistant whom he falls for. Christine appears to be one of those rare creatures; the beautiful nerd. An intelligent and attractive girl who is "unable to express herself in terms outside the realm of science." This poses a big problem, as Gomez himself has trouble interacting with women, especially now that mysterious chemicals are running ramped in his body.
"When I thought back over my life, I realized I had been playing hard to get almost continuously. I’d ignored women intensely (to the point of being a danger to them in traffic). I’d ignored them because I’d assumed I didn’t stand a chance."
Their relationship is off to a bumpy start, and then proceeds to become bumpier, as a number of mysterious events occur. One of the trial participants lapses into coma, another goes missing, eventually turning up dead. Christine swears the trail has nothing to do with this, but Gomez is not so sure. His participation in the trail has him so paranoid he wonders whether his feelings for Christine are perhaps merely drug induced side effects. A ploy by the drug company to keep him 'in line'.
Gomez' neighbor, Warren, comes to his aid. Warren is a recluse who spends his days writing huge tomes of literature for non-existent masses. He forces Gomez to proofread in return for nights of undisturbed sleep. The tomes, however, are far from riveting.
"Every once in a while you come across a novel that reminds you why you think you enjoy reading in the first place. A novel so fresh and new that it reacquaints you with feelings of childhood wonder. The novel my neighbor Warren wrote was, quite possibly, the very first example I’d come across of the exact opposite of this."
But in the end it is Warren who helps Gomez unravel the mystery of the trial, and track down the mysterious stranger who's been stalking Christine.
"The stalker, meanwhile, stepped into the road. Didn’t even check for traffic. There wasn’t any, but something told me this was lucky for traffic rather than the stalker"
A number of unexpected twist and turns bring the novel to a very satisfying conclusion. No Hope for Gomez! is a fast paced suspense/comedy that was written as a set of hilarious blogs created by the main character. This ends up working really well, showcasing a fresh style that's not unlike a tasty snack for the brain: fast, light, and utterly addictive. A torrent of interesting little philosophies flesh out each of the characters, making them interesting as well as believable, and some really moving scenes keep the plot going strong throughout.
There may not be much hope for Gomez, but there definitely is for Mr. Parke.
-- J. Wahl.
From the moment Gomez Porter enters an experimental drug trail for some extra cash, his life is turned upside down. For starters, there's Christine, the sexy lab assistant whom he falls for. Christine appears to be one of those rare creatures; the beautiful nerd. An intelligent and attractive girl who is "unable to express herself in terms outside the realm of science." This poses a big problem, as Gomez himself has trouble interacting with women, especially now that mysterious chemicals are running ramped in his body.
"When I thought back over my life, I realized I had been playing hard to get almost continuously. I’d ignored women intensely (to the point of being a danger to them in traffic). I’d ignored them because I’d assumed I didn’t stand a chance."
Their relationship is off to a bumpy start, and then proceeds to become bumpier, as a number of mysterious events occur. One of the trial participants lapses into coma, another goes missing, eventually turning up dead. Christine swears the trail has nothing to do with this, but Gomez is not so sure. His participation in the trail has him so paranoid he wonders whether his feelings for Christine are perhaps merely drug induced side effects. A ploy by the drug company to keep him 'in line'.
Gomez' neighbor, Warren, comes to his aid. Warren is a recluse who spends his days writing huge tomes of literature for non-existent masses. He forces Gomez to proofread in return for nights of undisturbed sleep. The tomes, however, are far from riveting.
"Every once in a while you come across a novel that reminds you why you think you enjoy reading in the first place. A novel so fresh and new that it reacquaints you with feelings of childhood wonder. The novel my neighbor Warren wrote was, quite possibly, the very first example I’d come across of the exact opposite of this."
But in the end it is Warren who helps Gomez unravel the mystery of the trial, and track down the mysterious stranger who's been stalking Christine.
"The stalker, meanwhile, stepped into the road. Didn’t even check for traffic. There wasn’t any, but something told me this was lucky for traffic rather than the stalker"
A number of unexpected twist and turns bring the novel to a very satisfying conclusion. No Hope for Gomez! is a fast paced suspense/comedy that was written as a set of hilarious blogs created by the main character. This ends up working really well, showcasing a fresh style that's not unlike a tasty snack for the brain: fast, light, and utterly addictive. A torrent of interesting little philosophies flesh out each of the characters, making them interesting as well as believable, and some really moving scenes keep the plot going strong throughout.
There may not be much hope for Gomez, but there definitely is for Mr. Parke.
-- J. Wahl.
July 23, 2013
Gomez has a slight problem – ok, he has several problems. He’s absolute crap at managing the antique store his parents left him. The drug trial he entered for extra cash has left him unsure what is real and what may be drug-induced side effect, and he thinks he may or may not be in love with Dr. Hargrove, the lab assistant who administers his drugs each week. When another participant in the drug trial ends up dead, Gomez realizes he may be in much more trouble than he thought.
As part of his entry into the drug trial, Gomez must keep a blog and post about his experiences. As successive posts get stranger and stranger, both the reader and Gomez wonder if what is happening – his upstairs neighbor drilling holes into Gomez’s ceiling; Dr. Hargrove asking him to stalk her stalker; a customer at the antique store wanting to buy his tax documents – is actually real.
Yet what could easily become an unmanageable mess of a novel becomes a funny, human look at life and its idiosyncrasies in the hands of Graham Parke. Gomez creates tests to discover if he’s actually in love with Dr. Hargrove or if his feelings are just the result of the drug trial. He investigates the death of Joseph Miller, another drug trial participant. He attempts to assuage the eccentric behavior of his assistant Hicks, whose proclivities for order rival Gomez’s own increasingly chaotic life.
In the end, the truth about Gomez is much less interesting than what the reader begins to believe, but Parke is forgiven this as it is Gomez’s journey, and his truth that make the novel: What is and what isn’t? How much of what we see is perspective and belief, and how much is objective truth?
As part of his entry into the drug trial, Gomez must keep a blog and post about his experiences. As successive posts get stranger and stranger, both the reader and Gomez wonder if what is happening – his upstairs neighbor drilling holes into Gomez’s ceiling; Dr. Hargrove asking him to stalk her stalker; a customer at the antique store wanting to buy his tax documents – is actually real.
Yet what could easily become an unmanageable mess of a novel becomes a funny, human look at life and its idiosyncrasies in the hands of Graham Parke. Gomez creates tests to discover if he’s actually in love with Dr. Hargrove or if his feelings are just the result of the drug trial. He investigates the death of Joseph Miller, another drug trial participant. He attempts to assuage the eccentric behavior of his assistant Hicks, whose proclivities for order rival Gomez’s own increasingly chaotic life.
In the end, the truth about Gomez is much less interesting than what the reader begins to believe, but Parke is forgiven this as it is Gomez’s journey, and his truth that make the novel: What is and what isn’t? How much of what we see is perspective and belief, and how much is objective truth?
May 15, 2010
I love a book that makes me laugh. I love a book with funny quirky characters. I loved No Hope for Gomez. I don't think I can fully express how funny this book was.
Gomez was hilarious: his interior monologue was just as entertaining as his dialogue, his plans and his processes of carrying them out were funny to watch unfold, even his hopeless situations were funny, though in a slightly pathetic way. I kept thinking "This poor guy! hahaha…" He's so romantically awkward and totally inexperienced. I am pretty sure he was on the autism spectrum, which, in case you don't know, always makes a book more interesting. I was a little sorry for the poor doctor whom he was convinced he was in love with…
As far as the plot, it was intriguing. I couldn't stop reading it: one, because it was so peculiar, and two, because it was interesting. Near the end it became extremely exciting. The writing fit the character: quirky and full of personality. Because it was so perfect for the character, I can't really say it was good or bad, just right.
Content: some language, mention of sex but no scenes.
Recommendation: Ages 13+
Gomez was hilarious: his interior monologue was just as entertaining as his dialogue, his plans and his processes of carrying them out were funny to watch unfold, even his hopeless situations were funny, though in a slightly pathetic way. I kept thinking "This poor guy! hahaha…" He's so romantically awkward and totally inexperienced. I am pretty sure he was on the autism spectrum, which, in case you don't know, always makes a book more interesting. I was a little sorry for the poor doctor whom he was convinced he was in love with…
As far as the plot, it was intriguing. I couldn't stop reading it: one, because it was so peculiar, and two, because it was interesting. Near the end it became extremely exciting. The writing fit the character: quirky and full of personality. Because it was so perfect for the character, I can't really say it was good or bad, just right.
Content: some language, mention of sex but no scenes.
Recommendation: Ages 13+
December 16, 2010
I guess you could say that I had hight expectations of the book, from reading the blurb, the author's blog, and from direct communications with the author. To my disappointment, I felt the humour that I had detected in the previous three did not translate into the novel itself, except for when Gomez actually SPOKE to anyone, which was rare. His blog posts, while interesting in a "what is wrong with this guy?" way, were boring and became increasingly repetitive.
What bothered me the most was the story development: no depth whatsoever. And the relationship between Gomez and his love interest? From doctor/test subject to boyfriend/girlfriend without any REAL development in their story? Completely un-convincinvg. Plus the Warren character just did not add any value at all to the story. Hicks, on the other hand, was the only character who was remotely interesting, but even then his character remained shallow.
I would have stopped reading the book from the first chapter, but kept hoping that with each page there would be some improvement, but unfortunately, no such luck. Not my type of book.
What bothered me the most was the story development: no depth whatsoever. And the relationship between Gomez and his love interest? From doctor/test subject to boyfriend/girlfriend without any REAL development in their story? Completely un-convincinvg. Plus the Warren character just did not add any value at all to the story. Hicks, on the other hand, was the only character who was remotely interesting, but even then his character remained shallow.
I would have stopped reading the book from the first chapter, but kept hoping that with each page there would be some improvement, but unfortunately, no such luck. Not my type of book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2010
This was definitely an interesting story, I absolutely loved it. It was fun, witty and intriguing, I just kept turning the pages. Never saw that particular ending coming, I had come up with my own ideas but never that one. Very well written, would be interested in reading more books by Graham Parke!
November 5, 2010
For me, this book wasn't so much what happened, but how it happened. Strange occurences, ridiculous situations and observations, handled all very wittily. My own sense of bizarre humour was satisfied quite well. I definitely recommend this if you have an off-kilter funny bone.
August 11, 2016
Really enjoyed this book! Video review coming at some point. ;)
December 16, 2017
Is he crazy? Is he reliable? Pretty nuts but fun. Just go with it.
4.5 stars
So so crazy - a man is part of a clinical trial. But we (and he) don't know if he's on the drugs, the placebo or nothing - yet he seems totally off his rocker! Gomez has a crush on the doctor monitoring him in his drug trial, he's socially awkward anyway - but another participant turning up dead soon catches his attention.
What is real? Can he solve a murder while 'under the influence'? And can he 'get the girl'?
Bonkers, bonkers, bonkers. Gomez is one of those unique narrators you're not going to forget in a hurry, especially as you just don't know if you can believe his blog account of ANYTHING. His blog talks to us and to his doctor as he charts his progress and feelings for his drug trial, and they are mad.
"Blog entry: Monday night. Couldn't sleep. Sounded like my downstairs neighbour was drilling thousands of tiny holes in his ceiling. Blog entry: Tuesday night. Couldn't sleep. Sounded like my neighbour was dancing the meringue on an overturned bathtub in stiletto heels... Blog entry: Wednesday night. Slept like a baby. But, upon awakening, noticed there were thousand of tiny holes in my floor."
Very entertaining, if confusing at times. Loved the scenes in Gomez's workplace, an antiques shop and with his also-rather-unique co-worker.
A fun read, with some great ideas (a stalker stalker!) and a fresh-feeling narrator who is completely potty.
4.5 stars
So so crazy - a man is part of a clinical trial. But we (and he) don't know if he's on the drugs, the placebo or nothing - yet he seems totally off his rocker! Gomez has a crush on the doctor monitoring him in his drug trial, he's socially awkward anyway - but another participant turning up dead soon catches his attention.
What is real? Can he solve a murder while 'under the influence'? And can he 'get the girl'?
Bonkers, bonkers, bonkers. Gomez is one of those unique narrators you're not going to forget in a hurry, especially as you just don't know if you can believe his blog account of ANYTHING. His blog talks to us and to his doctor as he charts his progress and feelings for his drug trial, and they are mad.
"Blog entry: Monday night. Couldn't sleep. Sounded like my downstairs neighbour was drilling thousands of tiny holes in his ceiling. Blog entry: Tuesday night. Couldn't sleep. Sounded like my neighbour was dancing the meringue on an overturned bathtub in stiletto heels... Blog entry: Wednesday night. Slept like a baby. But, upon awakening, noticed there were thousand of tiny holes in my floor."
Very entertaining, if confusing at times. Loved the scenes in Gomez's workplace, an antiques shop and with his also-rather-unique co-worker.
A fun read, with some great ideas (a stalker stalker!) and a fresh-feeling narrator who is completely potty.
April 11, 2012
Brought to you by OBS staffer Karolina_Avalon
Summary
The Blurb:
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, the phone-sex salesman who hounds him day and night, the super sexy research 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 delusions, 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.
Oh yeah, and there’s also a nurse with big boobs! (from NoHopeForGomez.com)
Review
A “wild ride of discovery” indeed! No Hope for Gomez! is a wonderfully witty, tongue-in-cheek look at people’s perceptions of life. Through Gomez’s blogs, the reader is pulled into his life of wacky characters and wackier situations. Gomez himself, although a seemingly normal guy – appears to live a few steps ahead of everyone else in his life, and has to wait for people to catch up to him. Gomez and Graham Parke create a flowing social commentary on today’s society, the trials and tribulations of writing, and of course, impart some wisdom on the age old art of love. Along with this, there is also an intriguing maybe- murder- maybe-not plot point running through the book, where Gomez is a test subject of a drug trail, and the reader spends the majority of the book wondering if what Gomez is seeing and experiencing is real or part of the side affects of the drugs. As well as Gomez, there’s a wannabe writer neighbour (Warren Baxter) who boils salamanders on his balcony at night and appears to write some kind of fantasy novelettes that span for thousands of pages; A guy in a sombrero, suit and sandals who has a fascination with old tax returns; and an old, neurotic shop assistant who likes to sweep floors. And, yes, ‘a nurse with big boobs’.
Although not purely scifi fantasy, this book has enough in it to keep you guessing what’s real and what is fantasy (if anything) throughout, and is a thoroughly entertaining read.
OBS is lucky enough to have been able to grab a few minutes of Graham Parke’s time and you can check out the interview here!
And, in even more exciting news (sorry, Graham!) OBS has also managed to get their hands (graciously uncovered by Graham) on the first ever interview done by Warren Baxter, self-proclaimed literary genius featured in the semi-biographical novel; No Hope for Gomez! Stay tuned!
http://openbooksociety.com/article/bo...
Summary
The Blurb:
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, the phone-sex salesman who hounds him day and night, the super sexy research 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 delusions, 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.
Oh yeah, and there’s also a nurse with big boobs! (from NoHopeForGomez.com)
Review
A “wild ride of discovery” indeed! No Hope for Gomez! is a wonderfully witty, tongue-in-cheek look at people’s perceptions of life. Through Gomez’s blogs, the reader is pulled into his life of wacky characters and wackier situations. Gomez himself, although a seemingly normal guy – appears to live a few steps ahead of everyone else in his life, and has to wait for people to catch up to him. Gomez and Graham Parke create a flowing social commentary on today’s society, the trials and tribulations of writing, and of course, impart some wisdom on the age old art of love. Along with this, there is also an intriguing maybe- murder- maybe-not plot point running through the book, where Gomez is a test subject of a drug trail, and the reader spends the majority of the book wondering if what Gomez is seeing and experiencing is real or part of the side affects of the drugs. As well as Gomez, there’s a wannabe writer neighbour (Warren Baxter) who boils salamanders on his balcony at night and appears to write some kind of fantasy novelettes that span for thousands of pages; A guy in a sombrero, suit and sandals who has a fascination with old tax returns; and an old, neurotic shop assistant who likes to sweep floors. And, yes, ‘a nurse with big boobs’.
Although not purely scifi fantasy, this book has enough in it to keep you guessing what’s real and what is fantasy (if anything) throughout, and is a thoroughly entertaining read.
OBS is lucky enough to have been able to grab a few minutes of Graham Parke’s time and you can check out the interview here!
And, in even more exciting news (sorry, Graham!) OBS has also managed to get their hands (graciously uncovered by Graham) on the first ever interview done by Warren Baxter, self-proclaimed literary genius featured in the semi-biographical novel; No Hope for Gomez! Stay tuned!
http://openbooksociety.com/article/bo...
May 20, 2010
“It was like suddenly getting a glimpse of a giant invisible hand turning the world. You were not supposed to see those kind of things. You were not supposed to notice the machinery at work.” – Gomez Porter
Cleverly presented as a series of blog entries, author Graham Parke’s debut novel, No Hope For Gomez!, chronicles the experiences of Gomez Porter. Being rather unsuccessful at running the antiques store he inherited from his parents, primarily because he knows absolutely nothing about antiques, Gomez decides to earn some extra cash by participating in an experimental drug trial.
As part of the trial, Gomez is instructed to keep a detailed blog of his daily activities and experiences, especially anything strange he notices. One thing in particular that Gomez notices, though he doesn’t find it at all strange, is how attracted he is to Dr. Hargrove, the scientist running the drug trial. In fact, he develops a mad crush on her and decides to devote all his time to winning her affection.
Dr. Hargrove, however, is already being stalked by someone so Gomez becomes her stalker’s stalker in order to determine the stalker’s identity and prove himself to Hargrove. Which he does, and an incredibly awkward romance ensues.
Things take a turn for the strange, if not downright disturbing, when one of Gomez’s fellow drug trial participants turns up dead, and shortly thereafter the detective investigating the case goes missing. Dr. Hargrove assures Gomez that the drugs being used in the trial had nothing to do with the death, but when yet another participant dies Gomez believes he has no choice but to go off the grid and investigate for himself in order to get to the bottom of things.
Interspersed throughout Gomez’s romance and investigation are the laugh-out-loud funny interactions he has with his decidedly left-of-center downstairs neighbor, Warren, an aspiring novelist, Hicks, the antiques store’s sole employee, who has a “pathological fear of all things unpunctual” (At one point Gomez becomes so frustrated with Hicks’ bizarre behavior that he puts him up for auction on eBay.), and the parade of oddball customers who frequent the antiques store.
Since it is known that Gomez is participating in an experimental drug trial, the reader is often left to wonder whether what is being relayed in his blog entries is real or the product of some drug-induced hallucination. After all, he can’t possibly have actually heard Warren stir-frying hamsters in an enameled wok… can he? And surely no one really came into his antiques store wearing a three-piece suit accessorized with sandals and a sombrero covered in “I love pasteurized milk!” stickers, right?
No Hope For Gomez! is one of the most delightfully odd books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. It’s part humor, part mystery, part romance and entirely original. It was, in fact, like getting sucked down the rabbit hole into Gomezland, and what a wonderful world to visit it was! I won’t spoil the book’s ending by telling you whether or not there’s ultimately hope for Gomez, but I can tell you that I most definitely hope for more books from Parke in the future.
Cleverly presented as a series of blog entries, author Graham Parke’s debut novel, No Hope For Gomez!, chronicles the experiences of Gomez Porter. Being rather unsuccessful at running the antiques store he inherited from his parents, primarily because he knows absolutely nothing about antiques, Gomez decides to earn some extra cash by participating in an experimental drug trial.
As part of the trial, Gomez is instructed to keep a detailed blog of his daily activities and experiences, especially anything strange he notices. One thing in particular that Gomez notices, though he doesn’t find it at all strange, is how attracted he is to Dr. Hargrove, the scientist running the drug trial. In fact, he develops a mad crush on her and decides to devote all his time to winning her affection.
Dr. Hargrove, however, is already being stalked by someone so Gomez becomes her stalker’s stalker in order to determine the stalker’s identity and prove himself to Hargrove. Which he does, and an incredibly awkward romance ensues.
Things take a turn for the strange, if not downright disturbing, when one of Gomez’s fellow drug trial participants turns up dead, and shortly thereafter the detective investigating the case goes missing. Dr. Hargrove assures Gomez that the drugs being used in the trial had nothing to do with the death, but when yet another participant dies Gomez believes he has no choice but to go off the grid and investigate for himself in order to get to the bottom of things.
Interspersed throughout Gomez’s romance and investigation are the laugh-out-loud funny interactions he has with his decidedly left-of-center downstairs neighbor, Warren, an aspiring novelist, Hicks, the antiques store’s sole employee, who has a “pathological fear of all things unpunctual” (At one point Gomez becomes so frustrated with Hicks’ bizarre behavior that he puts him up for auction on eBay.), and the parade of oddball customers who frequent the antiques store.
Since it is known that Gomez is participating in an experimental drug trial, the reader is often left to wonder whether what is being relayed in his blog entries is real or the product of some drug-induced hallucination. After all, he can’t possibly have actually heard Warren stir-frying hamsters in an enameled wok… can he? And surely no one really came into his antiques store wearing a three-piece suit accessorized with sandals and a sombrero covered in “I love pasteurized milk!” stickers, right?
No Hope For Gomez! is one of the most delightfully odd books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. It’s part humor, part mystery, part romance and entirely original. It was, in fact, like getting sucked down the rabbit hole into Gomezland, and what a wonderful world to visit it was! I won’t spoil the book’s ending by telling you whether or not there’s ultimately hope for Gomez, but I can tell you that I most definitely hope for more books from Parke in the future.
December 28, 2013
Dammit, I lost my review, well my opinion since I suck at reviewing. Serves me right anyway for being a cheapskate. Even though this book has been on my to read list for such a long time time, I only got around to buying it when I heard the kindle edition was on sale. It might have been better if I had not bought it at 1:30 am on a night my 6 year old niece was staying over, a girl who thinks 9 in the morning is the perfect time for a midday nap. Of course I should not have been up so late anyway but the last season of dexter was on Netflix and you know how that goes. Anyway, I think Gomez Porter has become the character I liked the most from any of the books this year. Why do I like him so much? Well, despite of (maybe because) his quirks, his sometimes weirdness, he comes across as so real, so human. Since the book is written from his point of view through a series of blogs, we learn so much about him, his hopes and dreams, his fears and doubts, all written with wonderful wit and more than a hint of sarcasm. I think I mentioned it in another review that books written in diary or letter form is a great way to really get to know a character and Graham Park does it so well with Gomez Porter. The book was a joy to read, funny, intelligent with a fast pace story that kept me riveted to the book right to the end. But the end is where I found my only negative with the book, the ending itself story wise was great, it was just so abrupt. But that is just a minor flaw, over all, what a great book to finish a years reading on. I don't know if Graham Park reads these reviews but I will end with a little message for him just in case. My being a cheapskate has backfired on me. I always buy copies of books I love for a couple of friends. But with them being Neanderthals who refuse to read a book unless it actually has paper in it, you shall be getting more of my money.
January 9, 2013
VIDEO REVIEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pg1eX...
Review as seen on my blog: http://sweetbookrevs.blogspot.com.au/...
NEGATIVES:
1. The end was a bit too quick for me. Things happened in a blink of an eye which sadly made the conclusion very underwhelming. I wasn’t really surprised or shocked about the revelations revealed at the end.
POSITIVES:
1. The story of ‘No Hope for Gomez’ instantaneously draws you in from the first page. You’re already met with two mysteries to try and solve which keeps you eager to read. There was never a dull moment and the pacing was brilliant; a very fun story indeed.
2. Main character Gomez is the charm of this novel; he is the most likeable character. Gomez is absolutely weird but wonderful simultaneously, which immediately draws you to him. In a funny way he reminded me of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory mixed with Charlie from Perks of Being a Wallflower. Overall he was an excellent, witty protagonist that made you laugh and question his sanity at every moment.
3. This book is really funny. But not the ‘stupid’ funny, the ‘witty’ and ‘smart’ funny, if you get my drift (you probably don’t but I shall continue anyway). A lot of the humour came from Gomez whose inner thoughts are very entertaining. His thought process on how to accomplish certain obstacles is truly hilarious and I love when he is clearly being an absolute hypocrite!
4. I loved the writing style of the author. Again, he was very witty and thus certain sentences were just much more entertaining. I'm a sucker for witty individuals. The writing just seemed smart but in no way complicated and it made my reading experience much more enjoyable.
Review as seen on my blog: http://sweetbookrevs.blogspot.com.au/...
NEGATIVES:
1. The end was a bit too quick for me. Things happened in a blink of an eye which sadly made the conclusion very underwhelming. I wasn’t really surprised or shocked about the revelations revealed at the end.
POSITIVES:
1. The story of ‘No Hope for Gomez’ instantaneously draws you in from the first page. You’re already met with two mysteries to try and solve which keeps you eager to read. There was never a dull moment and the pacing was brilliant; a very fun story indeed.
2. Main character Gomez is the charm of this novel; he is the most likeable character. Gomez is absolutely weird but wonderful simultaneously, which immediately draws you to him. In a funny way he reminded me of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory mixed with Charlie from Perks of Being a Wallflower. Overall he was an excellent, witty protagonist that made you laugh and question his sanity at every moment.
3. This book is really funny. But not the ‘stupid’ funny, the ‘witty’ and ‘smart’ funny, if you get my drift (you probably don’t but I shall continue anyway). A lot of the humour came from Gomez whose inner thoughts are very entertaining. His thought process on how to accomplish certain obstacles is truly hilarious and I love when he is clearly being an absolute hypocrite!
4. I loved the writing style of the author. Again, he was very witty and thus certain sentences were just much more entertaining. I'm a sucker for witty individuals. The writing just seemed smart but in no way complicated and it made my reading experience much more enjoyable.
October 11, 2010
I loved this book! Gomez Porter is an instantly likeable character, and he draws the reader ever further into his (sometimes off-balanced) mindset through the openness and honesty of his blog entries. As a test subject in an experimental drug trial, Gomez is told to update his blog entries as regularly as possible, and record everything and anything, especially that which could be considered strange. Soon, however, Gomez starts to find pretty much everything in his world strange, and thus the reader is pulled into Gomez's messed-up internal reality, even as he struggles to make sense of it all for himself.
I was fortunate enough to win a copy of this book through a FirstReads giveaway on Goodreads.com, and I am so happy that I did. The pace is fast and action-packed...from the first page, author Graham Parke takes his readers on one of the strangest, most hilarious rollercoaster rides of the psyche that they are ever likely to go on, and he doesn't let up until the end which, incidentally, just leaves you wanting more.
The story is compact, fun (I laughed out loud more than once while reading this), and while it may have you looking at the world a whole different (and possibly very askew) way, once you've been inside the mind of Gomez Porter, if you're like me, you'll find that you don't mind that one single bit!
Maybe there is no hope for Gomez, but after reading this hilarious, twisted little novel, I personally hope for MORE Gomez very very soon!
I was fortunate enough to win a copy of this book through a FirstReads giveaway on Goodreads.com, and I am so happy that I did. The pace is fast and action-packed...from the first page, author Graham Parke takes his readers on one of the strangest, most hilarious rollercoaster rides of the psyche that they are ever likely to go on, and he doesn't let up until the end which, incidentally, just leaves you wanting more.
The story is compact, fun (I laughed out loud more than once while reading this), and while it may have you looking at the world a whole different (and possibly very askew) way, once you've been inside the mind of Gomez Porter, if you're like me, you'll find that you don't mind that one single bit!
Maybe there is no hope for Gomez, but after reading this hilarious, twisted little novel, I personally hope for MORE Gomez very very soon!
April 9, 2011
I was intrigued by this book from the first time I'd heard of it. It sounded as if it would be an interesting read to say the least. It was interesting, but it was also weird. I've read this twice now because I felt like I'd lost something along the way. And while the second reading did help me figure it out a little more I was still kind of confused with the whole thing.
Gomez was an odd character. His downstairs neighbor was odd, the employee that worked for him at the antiques store was odd, the guy that was shopping at the store was odd. His doctor/girlfriend was the most "normal" person in the book, and even she was a bit odd at times.
The things that happen in Gomez's life aren't really all that odd, but the way in which he deals with them is odd. Falling in love with the researcher, perfectly normal. Becoming her stalker stalker, odd... I can't really give anymore examples without giving some of the story away.
The writing was humorous, I laughed quite a few times throughout the book. And like I said the things that happened to Gomez weren't all that abnormal, but the way he deals with life was a bit strange. It was an entertaining read, and it didn't take me long to read it. I actually read it twice within a few days.
Gomez was an odd character. His downstairs neighbor was odd, the employee that worked for him at the antiques store was odd, the guy that was shopping at the store was odd. His doctor/girlfriend was the most "normal" person in the book, and even she was a bit odd at times.
The things that happen in Gomez's life aren't really all that odd, but the way in which he deals with them is odd. Falling in love with the researcher, perfectly normal. Becoming her stalker stalker, odd... I can't really give anymore examples without giving some of the story away.
The writing was humorous, I laughed quite a few times throughout the book. And like I said the things that happened to Gomez weren't all that abnormal, but the way he deals with life was a bit strange. It was an entertaining read, and it didn't take me long to read it. I actually read it twice within a few days.
March 25, 2022
No Hope for Gomez is a truly one-of-a-kind novel. The story moves along at a brisk pace, with the blog entry format lending itself nicely to short and snappy sentences. Graham Parke's narrative voice is dryly witty, and perfectly suited to the tongue-in-cheek narrative. The novel bizarrely blends absurd scenarios with intriguing philosophical questions, sucking readers into Gomez's unusual mind until the illogical seems plausible. Parke cleverly constructs his story so that readers are drawn deeper into the conspiracy, until even they are uncertain where reality ends and madness begins.
Despite the seemingly random stream-of-consciousness in Gomez's mind, he makes some resonant points that will pique readers' curiosity and make them think about the world in imaginative new ways. There is also a surprising mystery element -- about the true nature of the drug trials and the identity of his girlfriend's stalker -- that will keep readers in suspense until the final page. It's impossible to know what's coming next in this topsy-turvy world. No Hope for Gomez is populated by quirky characters and laugh-out-loud scenarios that will keep readers entertained from beginning to end.
Despite the seemingly random stream-of-consciousness in Gomez's mind, he makes some resonant points that will pique readers' curiosity and make them think about the world in imaginative new ways. There is also a surprising mystery element -- about the true nature of the drug trials and the identity of his girlfriend's stalker -- that will keep readers in suspense until the final page. It's impossible to know what's coming next in this topsy-turvy world. No Hope for Gomez is populated by quirky characters and laugh-out-loud scenarios that will keep readers entertained from beginning to end.
December 12, 2010
Just brilliant! After I found an "invite" to the "No hope for Gomez!" online party on my GR account, I started feeling curious about this book. The more reviews I read, the more interested I felt in reading it as soon as possible and after a few days I found myself purchasing it online to see what it was really about!
Hoping it would remind me of Nick Hornby's books, which make me lough out loud, I started reading it, and just after finishing its first paragraph, I knew I would LOVE it.
Is there any hope for Gomez? There has to be. He rocks n' rules!
Extremely strange situations that eventually start to seem normal to the reader and that question mark around every one of them: is it true or is it the drugs? And the answer is: it really doesn't matter! You keep turning the pages anyway, and find yourself smiling as you do it.
Must congratulate the author for creating Hicks. What an amazing character! And I have to say that I loved the "surprise" that the Sombrero man was hiding.
If it's on the list of the funniest books of the year as someone wrote, it better be on the number one spot and I'm looking forward to reading more Graham Parke material soon.
Hoping it would remind me of Nick Hornby's books, which make me lough out loud, I started reading it, and just after finishing its first paragraph, I knew I would LOVE it.
Is there any hope for Gomez? There has to be. He rocks n' rules!
Extremely strange situations that eventually start to seem normal to the reader and that question mark around every one of them: is it true or is it the drugs? And the answer is: it really doesn't matter! You keep turning the pages anyway, and find yourself smiling as you do it.
Must congratulate the author for creating Hicks. What an amazing character! And I have to say that I loved the "surprise" that the Sombrero man was hiding.
If it's on the list of the funniest books of the year as someone wrote, it better be on the number one spot and I'm looking forward to reading more Graham Parke material soon.
December 7, 2010
I enjoyed this book. The narrative structure was engaging and it allowed you to delve into the narrator's position easily. The characters are definitely interesting. It seems Parker has found some real eccentrics to color the world of Gomez, the main character. The mystery surrounding Gomez's situation is what propels the story forward and it is interesting enough to compel the reader to keep turning pages. It was a fun read that sped by quickly and kept me interested until the very last page.
I have to say, I could have even stood for a longer book that explored more of the other characters and the stories they may have to tell. Follow up novels could be written from the perspective of the guy with the sombrero, Warren or Hicks. I'm sure those tales would also be relatively absurd, though the author could make one step right into their shoes and it would make complete and total sense while you could still see the absurdity of the situation.
All in all, if you haven't read No Hope for Gomez!, what are you waiting for? Get it! Everyone's going to be talking about it...
I have to say, I could have even stood for a longer book that explored more of the other characters and the stories they may have to tell. Follow up novels could be written from the perspective of the guy with the sombrero, Warren or Hicks. I'm sure those tales would also be relatively absurd, though the author could make one step right into their shoes and it would make complete and total sense while you could still see the absurdity of the situation.
All in all, if you haven't read No Hope for Gomez!, what are you waiting for? Get it! Everyone's going to be talking about it...
May 17, 2010
Gomez has become an experimental lab rat. He is required to blog about any sudden changes in the way he feels. Gomez had no idea just how crazy this drug would make him. He shares his predicament with on the world wide web for all to read.
He begins to wonder if taking part in this trial was a good idea. He gets his answer when one of the other people taking part winds up dead. Unable to decipher between reality and the feelings brought on by the drugs, Gomez is facing a huge turning point in his life. Will he have the strength and will to survive or will he give up?
This book is different than any other book I have read. The way the author speaks through his characters and builds up suspense is really intriguing. When you read this you will want to be able to read it all in one sitting because you won't be able to put it down.
April 17, 2015
This book was so much fun. It's weird. You should know that going in. But fun and clever. I appreciated the way the author used the Warren subplot to subtly self-criticize his own book. The incredibly dense main character, Gomez, was easy to connect with. It was hard not to feel sorry for him sometimes but he never fell over the edge into completely pitiable. The short blog entries made the whole thing fast and easy to read. This is another perfect palette cleansing book to insert between book worlds. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from this author.
If you enjoyed this book, you might enjoy the poetry of Hal Sirowitz as well.
If you enjoyed this book, you might enjoy the poetry of Hal Sirowitz as well.
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