By John Freeman

It’s evident that Morse is aware of some of the heedless debauchery and pornographic decadence that people seem to be attracted to in novels these days—Monaco is full of characters that represent that idea. But instead of writing something like the typical modern novel, it appears that Morse rejected that thought and instead went ahead and produced a timeless epic all the while creating his own artform: the poem/novel/philosophy book.

The story is interesting (though it doesn’t really get going until 3/4ths of the way into the book) but what’s really on showcase in Monaco is something much more important. Morse’s writing style is a masterful mix of narrative and commentary that is more lyric than some of the best poetry. His characters are vivid and alive—save for perhaps some of the scoundrel Nazis. And his philosophy is a brilliant mix of liberty-first Lockism and Pope John Paul Duece’s love-is-the-answerism. The shocking monologue by a surprise character near the end is still reverberating in my mind.

Some advice to the casual consumer: buy this book. Read it all (a reader will be rewarded for the 600-page effort and the frequent dictionary stops). And instruct your daughters to read it. This should be required reading for all pre-teen girls who are considering falling into the decadence of modern teenage ignominy. At the very least, the Overture, Entre’Acte, and Dénouement—literary pieces that will blow your mind—WILL be required reading in 100 level English. At least that’s the case if there is any justice in the world—as a matter of fact, that’s exactly what Monaco aims to inspire.

More: Monaco website