Yann Martel

We're interviewing Yann Martel in May! His new book, Beatrice and Virgil, comes out on April 13th. Please post questions by April 30th.

Were you surpised by the success of Life of Pi? Was it a problem? Or did it open doors / possibilities that you hadn't anticipated?

In his book Performatism, or, the End of Postmodernism, Raoul Eshelman discusses Life of Pi as "something of a logical challenge to postmodernism". Did you consciously set out a write a challenge to postmodernism or do you even feel it is a fair description of the novel?

Nice one, herzog!

There's only about a week left to get questions in to Yann Martel. I'm especially interested to hear from anyone who's read Beatrice and Virgil. There are some similarities between B&V and Life of Pi -- you could even say some answers are given about Life of Pi, and Martel's reaction to its success.

I was wondering why Mr. Martel wrote B&V as a book about writing a book, or about writing an allegory and didn't just write the allegory instead, without Henry and Henry.

Hailing from Saskatoon, I'm curious how you find the city in terms of its effects on your writing, if any. It never inspired much in my own writing until after I left, but of course, it's where I come from and that's an all-too- common phenomenon; however, I wonder how a writer coming to Saskatoon reacts to the place, and whether you see any more inspiration in it because you come there as an outsider.

Hi! I'm just starting Beatrice & Virgil, but I just have to ask re Life of Pi (which I loved by the way): what was the significance of the island? I read the book a while back & still never figured it out!

Forgive me if this is a question you're asked hundreds of times (which I'm sure it is).

I recently finished What is Stephen Harper Reading? and enjoyed it immensely. You make a very persuasive argument for reading widely. What are your future plans for the blog? Will you continue the blog or perhaps create a new one if we end up with a new prime minister in the next couple of years?

Are you a book collector? Do you collect any particular genre or books in general? What is your working rhythm when you commit to yourself to writing a novel? I remember Michael Crichton used to sleep one hour less every night.

I applaud your decision about running What is Stephen Harper Reading. It is an interesting read but also a place where I feel I can find other literature that I have to check out. I especially like your reasons behind suggesting a book.

I'm only 50 pages in to B&V, so I won't ask any questions on that. But I will ask if it will be as long a wait for the next one.

Thanks! Questions are now closed for Mr. Martel. Look for the interview in the May State of the Thing!