> Skip to content

Book clubs  •  13 June 2023

 

I Look Forward to Hearing From You book club questions

A satirical, madcap roller-coaster ride through Hollywood to read with your book club.

In I Look Forward to Hearing From You, Hector Singh is a 27-year-old aspiring TV writer, hell-bent on ‘making it’ in L.A. But when his mother dies suddenly, Hector’s grief sends him on a downward spiral into an emotional crisis. Can he navigate Hollywood racism, diet-culture oppression and overwhelming grief? Will he pull himself together in time to sell his TV show?

Discussion points and questions

  • Writing satire is absurdly difficult. I Look Forward to Hearing From You pushes this challenge further as the author seeks to both mock and valorise his lead characters. Does he achieve this?
  • Benjamin Law said ‘You mightn’t think a story about grief, self-loathing, fat shame and failure could be laugh-out-loud funny, but maybe you just haven’t read Nick Bhasin yet.’It is a tall order, to get a laugh out of these tough subjects. How do you think the author pulls it off?
  • If you watched a bit of television in the 1990s and 2000s you could play a fun game of Spotto on the pop culture references. Do you think there is a particular reason the novel is set in 2002? Do you think Hollywood is less bigoted now?
  • Hector calls himself ‘Post-Race’. What does he mean by this, and is it possible to reach this state? How does Hector's being mixed race affect his views on race and diversity?
  • Will achieving his goals – to become a professional writer, find love and lose weight – help Hector in his pursuit of happiness?
  • ‘Success in Hollywood is all about who you know. If you can’t leave a party with seven new contacts, you need to leave in an ambulance. There’s no in between. NORA EPHRON’ What role do the chapter epigraphs play in the narrative? Were you ever/occasionally sucked into believing they were real?
  • I Look Forward to Hearing From Youhas a lot to say about food and dieting. How effective do you think this commentary is? Do you think things have changed since the early 2000s? Was it surprising to read about diet culture from a male perspective?
  • It is said that grief is the price we pay for love. Hector and his papa each manifest their grief in different ways. Should we all be encouraged to make our grief known?
  • Hector’s mental health suffers after his mother dies. Do you think he is given enough information about antidepressants, or enough medical support while he is taking them? How have attitudes towards mental health evolved over the past twenty years?
  • What did you think of Hector’s screenplay?

Feature Title

I Look Forward to Hearing from You
'I wish I could write like Nick Bhasin … but reading his writing is the next best thing.' SAMMY J 'Bhasin hits that sweet spot of emotional depth while also being absurdly funny.' MARK HUMPHRIES
Read more

More features

See all
Article
Debut authors share their best tips for aspiring authors

The Fresh Voices of 2023 share their advice with fellow writers. Whether you’re aspiring to get your book published or looking for writing tips, these words of wisdom will help.

Q&A
Nick Bhasin intended to write a memoir. Here’s how it became his debut novel instead

Plus find out why he loves David Sedaris and what inspired him to become a writer.

Book clubs
The Sugar Palace book club questions

A heart-stopping romantic adventure to read with your book club.

Book clubs
On a Bright Hillside in Paradise book club questions

A book about faith and family to read with your book club.

Book clubs
As the River Rises book club questions

A medical romance to read with your book club.

Book clubs
Doll's Eye book club questions

A story of love, loss and survival to read with your book club.

Book clubs
Love Match book club questions

An Australian country romance to read with your book club.

Book clubs
Perfect-ish book club questions

A smart, funny and heartfelt anti-romcom to read with your book club.

Book clubs
The Secrets of the Huon Wren book club questions

A deeply moving novel to read with your book club.

Article
The best books to read with your book club in spring 2023

These are the Penguin Random House books that over 48,000 book clubs voted as the best group reads this October.

Article
The rare success of one author's open submission

An author and editor share the unique publication story of Amy Doak's debut novel, Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer.

Q&A
Jessica Seaborn on inspiration, observation and navigating the publishing process

Debut author Jessica Seaborn shares a few things that helped her get her debut novel, Perfect-ish, published.

Looking for more book club notes?

See all book club notes