eNotes Book Club

Hey eNotes Book Clubbers!  We are so very fortunate that the author of Lord Vishnu's Love Handles (LVLH), Will Clarke, is willing to answer our questions about his novel.  Please post any questions you may have for him on this topic board, so that he can answer them as he is able.

Thanks again, Will!  

Will-  How much did you know about Hinduism/Krishnas before beginning your novel?

Hi Will!

Thanks for being part of eNotes for this discussion group!  Your book is amazing - really sucked me right in!

My question - Where did you get the inspiration for the character of Travis?  Is he someone you knew/know, bits and pieces of people, or entirely fictional?  He's such a sad guy...I mean, really, no hope, no joy, as of yet anyway.

Now, I'm not a prude--ok, maybe I am a little bit of a prude--but my question is this: Why did you feel the need to use so much profanity? Is this really the way people talk today? It's getting harder and harder for young people to recognize what language is inappropriate in "polite" society. I just wonder if you think we're in the middle of a trend to vulgarize everyday language. Do you think it would have hurt your novel to leave any of it out?

I've read just the first three chapters, so forgive me if I'm jumping to conclusions about language. I'm enjoying the read nevertheless.

Hi Will! Some parts of LVLH are hilarious. I respect that you don't want anyone to know where you live or what you are doing, but were you born and raised in Dallas? Lived anywhere else?

Also, is this a pic of your fan club?

http://booktourvirgin.blogs.com/book_tour_virgin/

Hi Will, 

This book had me at “Shelby is a slut. She is also my wife.”  What is the legal penalty for putting “Slutty DNA” bumper stickers on cars without the owner’s consent?  But seriously, what was your influence for Travis’s idea that sex drive is evolutionary and amoral?

Did you base the character of Reed Bindler on a real person or an amalgam of worst traits you ever met?

Travis dreams of looking up through the hole in Texas stadium waiting for God.  Are you slapping Dallasites who revere it as their Holy of  Holies? I hope so.

I read that you attended Bread loaf when you were in the process of writing LVLH.  How important do you think attending the conferences was?  Can you tell us about a memorable conversation or writing tip?