While 'the sick reader' is not a particular person, it is the other major persona in the book. Morrie: In His Own Words is not exactly a character driven book, nor is it at all a plot-driven book. Instead, it is a series of lessons, a conversation even, between Schwartz and his reader, who is most likely terminally ill as he was when he wrote the book. Schwartz identifies with the sick reader as he shares experiences with them. And while the sick reader never speaks, Schwartz identifies some of her major character traits.