I Look Forward to Hearing from You

by Nick Bhasin

It’s 2002. Britney and Justin are done. Low-rise jeans tyrannise the pants-wearing public. And Hector Singh, a 27-year-old eccentric, moderately talented yet extremely confident aspiring TV writer, is hell bent on 'making it' in LA. He's Puerto Rican and Indian but also post-race (or so he thinks) and he refuses to be intimidated by the Whites Only landscape of show business.

But when his mother dies suddenly, Hector's grief turns into depression, triggering dark thoughts and a binge-eating disorder. He lands a potentially career-launching job as a writers' assistant on a TV drama, but antidepressants make things much worse.

With a series of implosions that threaten to sink his work and relationships, Hector unravels. Spectacularly.

Can he navigate Hollywood racism, diet-culture oppression and overwhelming grief to survive this emotional crisis? Does he pull himself together in time to sell his TV show in a meeting with big producers? Will he catch an extremely fit Tom Cruise and give him a script?

Seems unlikely.

A hilarious, satirical, madcap and moving roller-coaster ride through the world of Hollywood as seen through one person’s descent into despair.

427 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2023

Reviews

[Lanni Isenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is immersive and funny and so imaginative. Nick Bhasin writes with amazing comedic timing (you can do that in writing, right?). I read it in less than a week (I did try to read it slowly, but I couldn't help but binge it - life imitating art!). I'm pretty sure I laughed in all of the right places AND in some places where I maybe shouldn't have because it felt kind of wicked to do so. The (semi-autobiographical) main character, Hector Singh, is sad and delightful and strong and worrying and endearing. It's a tale of grief that brings this guy (and his family) to the brink of insanity and back. I adored so many of the characters, especially Hector and his Dad, and felt admiration for all of the characters who held on within Hector's orbit, just accepting the craziness as part of Hector at that moment. It's a fun, wild and totally rip-thru (I should also say "dark and satirical") read. Can't wait to read it again! (Also, I want some of the ice cream flavors mentioned in the book to really exist.)

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Looking at some of the reviews here, I feel like I must have missed something. Although this book had some engaging moments and characters, I’m relieved to have finished it. It just wasn’t particularly enjoyable. I get that it’s satirical, but it seemed like more of an overblown caricature than a satire. I couldn’t warm to Hector, the multitude of references to fake pop culture got boring, and overall it was just too long and repetitive. I liked how the ending came together, which redeemed it somewhat, but I can’t recommend it.

[Caitlin Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Hector is chaotic and throughout most of the book, either on the verge of, or actually breaking down. As a white woman, I enjoyed reading the perspective of an Indian, Peurto Rican young male. Bhasin's writing is frenzied and emotional, withmany laugh out loud moments, cringe worthy moments and sad moments. I recommend this book.

[Bindu Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Look Forward to Hearing From You will make you laugh out loud and cry at the same time. Nick Bhasin has a unique way of writing about real life immense heartache from grief and dealing with mental health and body image issues while trying to navigate life. Beautiful must read book.

[PATRICK N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and tender, Nick Bhasin conjures up a vivid picture of the early 2000s, a satirical swipe at Hollywood, and a beautiful portrayal of loss and its consequences.

[Ben De · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sits in its own category of fiction. Can’t really describe it but laughed a lot.

[Jen]

DNF at 30 minute audiobook mark. I had a few laughs in that time, but it’s a 427 page book, so too many hours of listening time ahead for a story that isn’t engaging me yet.