SIMON: How do you think that helped steer the story you tell in 'Blue-Skinned Gods'? And I don't want to take credit for surviving, something that is really just a matter of privilege and luck. And, you know, really, the only reason I'm here is an accident. You know, my early childhood was spent during the Sri Lankan Civil War, and it was fairly dangerous. I gather you were born into a Hindu family in a place where that could be dangerous. SINDU: It's very unclear, and it's meant to be that way.

SIMON: Doesn't take long for a reader to begin to wonder, do even Kalki's parents - his father had been an Indian doctor living in America when he was born - believe in his holiness? Or, if I might put it bluntly, do they see him as a financial opportunity? And, you know, Lakshman is also the one that reminds Kalki to be a child and that fun is important in his life, which is important 'cause he - there's not that much of it. And it's really interesting to me that Kalki is not very well-suited to his position, but Lakshman is. He knows what people need before they articulate that. And he's supposed to believe that his friend is also the reincarnation of Vishnu, which has got to test any friendship, I would think. SIMON: Tell us about Lakshman, who becomes such a pivotal character in the book. And when he's unable to heal Roopa, it starts to churn the doubt that plagues him for the rest of his life. And suddenly, he has to prove that he is a child god. He's been surrounded by people who believe in him. SINDU: So he has to prove himself, and he's - you know, his belief has always come easy to him. SIMON: When Kalki is 10, which is awfully young, he's given a set of tests. It's remarkable and rare, but it happens, right? S J SINDU: Yeah, thank you for having me. Sindu, who teaches at the University of Toronto in Scarborough, Ontario. 'Blue-Skinned Gods' is the latest novel from S.J. But when he cannot heal Roopa, a young woman brought to him in distress, Kalki begins to doubt the holiness of his blue skin and all the hopes, plans and prayers that have been laid on his heart and his shoulders. Ayya, Kalki's father, builds an ashram to surround the boy and their family in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where Kalki can bestow miracles of healing for those who come with belief.

'Blue-Skinned Gods' brings us into the world of Kalki, who was born with blue skin and black blood and a claim to be the incarnation of Vishnu, the Hindu god.

Blue-Skinned Gods by S.J. Sindu