Arthur Nersesian's novel "Chinese Takeout" is not really about food. It's more of a wild tour of the New York art scene. The book's hero, Orloff Trenchant, supports his painting by selling second-hand books on the street. He lives in his van, and spends much of his time dodging parking enforcement. He owes thousands of dollars in unpaid tickets. He loses his girlfriend after accusing her of being unfaithful, then falls in love with a heroin addict called Rita. Trenchant swings from moments of wry humor to dark hopelessness, but all the while he is spurred to paint. Arthur Nersesian told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr many of the things in the story come from personal experience. He says he wanted to capture the highs and the lows of the New York artistic experience.