An observant visitor to this site noticed in one of my biographies that I mention a novel of mine entitled Return to Laughter and wanted to know where she could find it. Well might she ask.
The truth is I had forgotten entirely I made any reference to the book in my bio or anywhere else, but it does exist. As its Shakespearean title suggests, it is about an actor, and about the acting business in both New York and Hollywood, and it weaves fact and fiction together in, I hope, an intriguing and amusing way. There will be a very small prize awarded to the reader who correctly identifies the play that provided the title. Bonus points if you can name the character who says the words, and the correct act and scene number.
(Purchase absolutely necessary to enter. Contest void where prohibited or restricted. All federal, state, county, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations apply. Contestants must be old enough to be able to read and must be legal residents of the planet Earth. No employees or wives of the author of this blog or website are eligible to compete. Prize is to be determined by the sole whim of the author of this blog and will not exceed one farthing in value, and will almost certainly consist of nothing more than a mention of name, though it may not even amount to that, depending on the author’s mood and phase of the moon. By participating in this contest, contestants agree to be bound by official rules yet to be determined and possibly impossible to follow or even comprehend, and to be equally bound by the judge’s final and completely arbitrary decision. By accepting a prize, contestants agree that the sponsor (this web site/blog) and its employees, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, and dishwashers will have no responsibility for anything of any kind anywhere, including—but not limited to—injury, loss, damages, death, dismemberment, loss of time while trying to find the phrase return to laughter, loss of parking space, loss of hair, or any other conceivable or inconceivable mishap whatsoever that might occur to anyone anywhere for any reason. But have fun.)
I decided not to release the novel just yet. I wanted to make some very minor revisions, and my agents suggested I wait and see how sales go with the books I already offer on the site. I realize this last paragraph sounds like an unsubtle way of saying, “Buy those books, ladies and gentlemen! Recommend them to your friends and neighbors! Tell the world!” And you’re damn right it is. But it is also true that my agents recommended I wait. Complain to them.
Good explanation and, not for any prize but for the fun of it, the play is King Lear and the line is said by Edgar in Act 4, Scene 1.
jq5, Orland Park, IL
The Tragedy of King Lear Act IV Scene I Edgar
Shannon
I tried submitting this response earlier and nothing showed up, so, here goes again.
I’ll look forward to this book when you do release it, but in the meantime, the answer is the Shakespeare play King Lear and the character Edgar says the line in Act 4, Scene 1. I accept that the prize is simply that I found which play the title was from and I enjoyed the search!
Joan
Hmmm, and here I thought it was from Lonesome Dove!!!!!
I did buy and read two of your books and highly recommend them to anyone and every one. You are a most excellent writer, sahib….or is it sahbib… dang, need to go back and rewatch all of the old Johhny Quest shows…..
I could care less about this book or contest because I’m too late to win(unless the previous 3 answers are wrong), and, more importantly, it has NOTHING to do with dogs. And I’m also from another planet(or so I’m often told). But after exploring around a bit on this site (I followed a track from Steve Bodio’s “Querencia”–you never know WHAT might turn up following trails in), I DID see, and IMMEDIATELLY ordered your dog book–and other than the reasonable shipping charge, I didn’t EVEN spend a farthing! Not that that is any reflection on the quality of the book, of course. After I get it and read it, I will have to give you my amateur, peasant- nobody critique…….L.B.
Using digitally searchable Shakespeare’s works, the quote does not seem to exist as used (unless there is a database error). The exact quote (attributed to Edgar in King Lear Act 4 scene 1) is ‘the worst returns to laughter’, as in:
Yet better thus, and known to be contemn’d,
Than still contemn’d and flatter’d. To be worst,
The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune,
Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear:
The lamentable change is from the best;
The worst returns to laughter. Welcome, then,
Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace!
The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst
Owes nothing to thy blasts.
Seems biographical for many, these days.
RA
Shakespeare! sure was not going to get this one right! no knowledge no interests! until now!
loved the price regulations !LOL!!
but truly would love to read your new book!
you wrote it as a joke but I do have a complain when it comes to buying your books!!
as I was so excited after buying your first book An Accidental Cowboy and wanted to get The Horseman at Midnight or American Riff but was so disappointed to discover they are sold only in Kindle format! Alas! dont have Kindle in my country!and was not able to buy them using this method in Amazon!
The price of An Accidental Cowboy was $33.99 a good price and truly was worth every Penny as i enjoyed it allot,
so despite the low price of kindle books 2:99 I wont mind buying them with the same or even higher price but as hardcover books!!
Plus the enjoyment is never the same! Yes! I’m also old fashioned!
So since I dont have the e-mail of your agents I trust you will inform them yourself!!
I hope this does not offend you Mr Parker in any way as I lack the knowledge of Author profits or laws in USA regarding books selling.
Naeema
loved Lonesome Dove as well!
Sahib is the word its Urdu for friend from the Arabic word friend.
….and thank God the English language has degenerated/devolved since Shakespeare’s day(referring to previous entry in blog here)….L.B.
I’m also waiting for another book by you Mr. Parker. I finally received the To Absent Friends and I’m 1/2 way through it but when I went to look for Accidental Cowboy and ordered it through Amazon i didn’t realize that it was coming from the UK!! So i will have this soon as well to read. If you do finish your new novel I can’t wait to read it. I’m sure you and Mackie had lots of laughter while filming Simon&Simon. Give my regards to Ms. Darleen!!!
Tena French Halifax, NS Canada
Sigh. Alas, I am too late.
Beverly
Naeema habibty (sweetheart) next time try Amazon.com for ordering they have a lot of Mr. Parker’s books there.
Thank you habibaty,as I wrote I bought An accidental Cowboy -Hardcover book- from Amazon
but the other two JP books I’m really interested in The Horseman at Midnight and American Riff are only in Kindle format,I don’t own this Kindle device also asked friends and turned out it wont work where I live,so wont risk buying a device that might not work! also I tried to download it no use!
any way thanks again,will certainly look for other options. no worries there!
I do hope Mr JP new book will be published for both kindle fans and old fashioned hardcover books fans as myself!!
Naeema
Mr. Parker I am happy to say I got the accidental cowboy two days ago and already I’m on chapter 8. I extremely adored the dedication to Ms. Darleen. Very sweet.
Tena French Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
Your right Tena I also loved the dedication. Hope you will have enough time to read the book in RAMADAN With the fasting and praying.you will enjoy it spesially the last part!
Mr Parker Loved the picture your wife took with the horse on An Accidental Cowboy this one should have been the cover or larger.
But I laughed at the discribtion of the picture it says on the last (Mr. Parker is on the right.)!!!Lol
I mean there is only you and the horse! but of course!! Lol
But truely hope Mrs Darleen contribute in your coming book with some pictures.
Naeema
….hey, that’s a coincidence–I’VE been mistaken for certain parts of a horse’s anatomy myself before! And, well, dagnabbit, I checked out “Accidental Cowboy” on Amazon too, and dang, there was some cheap copies!(no reflection on the book’s contents or quality, of course). Even I could afford THAT with my peasant financial status–so I ordered a copy of that, too. It DOES sound quite intriguing. But now(after I get it and read it) I’ll have to do TWO amateur-peasant-nobody critiques…..L.B.
Mr. Parker I do have to say not only do you have a beautiful wife but a very wise one indeed. I was reading in Accidental Cowboy when she said ” That which you fear shall come upon you” on page 61. I also chuckled at your experience with the syringe. I can not believe that you found yourself in that situation. I think i would’ve just said no thanks! Give my best regards to Ms. Darleen. Thoroughly enjoying Accidental Cowboy a great summer read!!
Tena French Halifax, NS Canada
I wanted to let you know I have finnished Accidental Cowboy. I am so proud of you both for over coming struggles. For Darleen and completing her degree and teaching! My hat is off to you. Mr. Parker I have post traumatic stress disorder and I know that you are fighting a good fight!! I am damn proud of you for that!!. You are a great husband&human being to stand up for Darleen! Your book made me laugh and cry at the same time and at the end to say “Amen”.
Thanks for writing and sharing Tena French Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
Waiting on the agents. I hope they have your best interests at heart. Tell us another story, Dad.
Beverly
“that’s a coincidence–I’VE been mistaken for certain parts of a horse’s anatomy myself before” L.B
lol! I’m curious what parts exactly? just kidding too.
I may buy To absent friends, I dont like books about dogs much even though they are wonderful creatures but will see how it goes as Tena highly complimented the book and I trust her good taste,plus its the only one available as hardcover book and I so much enjoy your writting.
Naeema
….Naeema–let’s just say; the uncomplimentary parts of a horse….And HOW could you not like books about dogs???!!!(yer talkin’ to a died-in-the-wool-total-canine-nut, here). Well, okay, sometimes the author has to let the dog die tragically to wrench those emotions out of the readers that exhibit their skills as writers–but PLENTY of them don’t! They actually have HAPPY endings!! And good dog stories just make me appreciate my own dogs even more. I’ve been thinking of writing my own dang book about MY dogs(I’ve had so many over the years)–the title is already decided–”The Best Dogs in The World”!!…so okay–got MY copy of “Absent Friends” and read it. Yes, there are some heart wrenchers in there(and a POINTLESS–to me–story or two! What the HECK is someone like Stephen Crane trying to accomplish by writing a pointlessly depressing story like “Dark Brown Dog”? Geez!), but plenty more uplifting ones. I had already read several favorites in other collections of dog stories I have(and have been accumulating for decades). I consider this collection as good or better than most–including Mr. Parker’s intro and his own story inside. Well worth it for dog lovers! Do keep in mind that it IS about, well, ABSENT friends………. I guess that was my peasant-nobody-amateur- critique! One down, one to go(my copy of “Accidental Cowboy” is taking it’s time in arriving….). I could recommend some great dog stories to you Naeema, but that could get really scary–once I start, I probably can’t stop!?………
Sure L.B ! would love to know others books about dogs,but will have to wait for Mr Parker’s book first,I’m not thrilled as I would have been if It was The Horseman at Midnight or American Riff but since its JP’s books,I say what the heck! go for it!
hope to enjoy it as much
Naeema
Okay, Naeema(and anyone else interested who hasn’t already read these) here are some suggestions(although when I looked over my voluminous library, I have to admit–SO MANY stories about dogs end with the dog dying–especially books about real dogs. But that’s a part of dog partnership we all have to deal with eventually, and it is realistic to include that…) ANYTHING by Jim Kjelgaard about dogs–these books are in the “juvenile” category, but are time honored CLASSICS, and despite Jim’s somewhat unrealistic anthropomorphising at times(there is REALISTIC anthropomorphising, and unrealistic anthropomorphising, don’t you know), he REALLY GOT IT about a true bond with a dog. I recommend, to start(there are MANY by him) his classic Irish Setter story, “Big Red”. A SUPER dog tale by Donald McCaig(why this hasn’t been made into a classic dog film I DON”T KNOW!!!) about a Border Collie is “Nop’s Trials.” Another very intriguing Border Collie story is “Beth, A Sheepdog”–based on a real incident where a Border Collie was trained to STEAL sheep! Of course Jack London’s “The Call Of The Wild” and “White Fang”. All the “Silver Chief” books. ANY sled dog books by Gary Paulsen. The Albert Payson Terhune collie books(a ton! start with “Lad, A Dog”)–and of course Eric Knight’s “Lassie Come Home”–the story that started the whole Lassie phenomenon. “Goodbye My Lady” AND the short story sequel that lent a happy ending to the tale(hard to find–these REALLY should be republished in the SAME volume!) “Come Back To Me My Lady”–about a boy in the Mississipi Swamp that finds a rare Basenji show dog. “Derry, Airedale of the Frontier” and the sequel; “Derry’s Partner” are musts for Airedale afficiondos. “A Dog At His Heel” by Charles Finger, SUPER old story about an Airedale/Irish Terrier/etc. crossbred, that travels with his master from Australia to South America on sheep drives–a SUPER possible adventure film that’s also never been done! In all of these, the dog protagonist survives. Don’t let the dog(s) dying keep you from the classics “Old Yeller” by Fred Gipson(I LOVE his “Savage Sam” and “Hound Dog Man” too!), the Redbone Coonhound story “Where The Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls, and the classic South African dog story about a bull terrier, “Jock Of The Bushveld” ! About 90% of these stories are also MOVIES! I reckon that’s enough fer now( I COULD go on and on and on……..) L. B.
….Oh! And how could I fergit Sheila Burnford’s “The Incredible Journey”, about the Bull terrier, Labrador, and Siamese cat that make an epic journey back to home and loved ones? Lesser known is Mrs. Burnford’s poignant tale about a poodle surviving the horrors of World War 2, and just WHAT AN IMPACT a dog can have on people–”Bel Ria”–ALSO a potential excellent film that hasn’t been done yet! Okay, I’ll stop–I had to get Mrs. burnford’s stuff in there, though. Anybody else got any suggestions?….L.B.
….And, I finally got my copy of “An Accidental Cowboy”! And done read it, too! Now, I know I said I’d do a peasant-nobody-amateur-critique on here, but I’ve gone and got UPPITY, so you folks will just have to read my critique on Amazon!
…..And while yer on Amazon, go ahead and order you one-a-them copies of the book, of course!(if you haven’t already…..) Yee Haw!….L.B.
Yes!
I have now ordered from Amazon, the book “An Accidental Cowboy”. As a real book. Not as Kindl Edition. I’m a fan of real books.
The winter is coming. The days are getting shorter. Less time to ride our horses. More time to read books! And to learn English ….
When I have read a book in English, then by JP. I think until the spring, when the horses come back to pasture, I read the book.
If I read the blog here, and the short stories I want to read more. It is terrible what happened to you JP. I have great respect that you and Darleen have found a way to process what happened.I wish you and Darleen that you now live a happy life.
Your book will encourage people who had also experienced some bad things. Encourage them not to give up.Thank you for that.
I hope this book finds its way from America to Germany
. I’m looking forward.
Manuela
Today I got the book
. (It was a long way from America to Germany.)
In about 3 weeks I start to read it. Why?In Germany, it was a good year for pastures and the hay harvest.So good that we have a pasture fenced yesterday,this field is usually only for hay.But there was so much grass in the pasture which the horses can still eat.(As long as the weather is still good for that.)This is the first time that the horses in November are still in the pasture.They are happy about it, of course.
I read your book when the horses are in the winter stable.I love to sit on the hay bales and read (that’s always my reward after the stable work), it’s so quiet and peaceful only the horses eat their hay.Do you have a favorite place where you like to read,Mr.Parker?
I am pleased to read your book.
Manuela