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This American Woman: A One-in-a-Billion Memoir
Award-winning comedian Zarna Garg turns her astonishing life story into a hilarious memoir, spilling all the chai on her wild ride from escaping an arranged marriage and homelessness in India to carving her own path in America and launching a dazzling second act in midlife.
“A deeply honest and hilarious book about how you always win if you bet on yourself.”—Amy Poehler
Throughout Zarna’s whole childhood in India, everyone called her “so American” just for reading the newspaper, having deep thoughts, and talking back to anyone over the age of thirty. When Zarna’s dad tried to marry her off at age fourteen, Zarna fled—first to the streets of Mumbai and ultimately to the glittering paradise of Akron, Ohio, where she got to become American for real.
On Zarna’s very American quest to find herself and her calling, she threw herself wholeheartedly into roles like dog-bite lawyer, crazy perfectionist stay-at-home mom, Indian matchmaker, prizewinning screenwriter, and more. It wasn’t until a dare led her to a stand-up comedy open mic that Zarna finally found her spiritual getting paid cold hard cash for her big fat mouth.
And as Zarna discovered, after surviving the brutal streets of Mumbai, the cutthroat world of stand-up comedy is nothing.
This American Woman is an exuberant story of fighting for your right to determine your own destiny and triumphing beyond what you ever dreamed was possible. Zarna’s mantra becomes a call to It’s never too late. If Zarna can do it, you can, too.
Bonus content! At the end of the program, hear from Zarna's sons Brij and Veer about losing their Mom to comedy, but finding each other. Experience Shalabh's front row seat watching his wife take flight in mid-life. If you think you cried enough during the memoir, you're not done yet!
“A deeply honest and hilarious book about how you always win if you bet on yourself.”—Amy Poehler
Throughout Zarna’s whole childhood in India, everyone called her “so American” just for reading the newspaper, having deep thoughts, and talking back to anyone over the age of thirty. When Zarna’s dad tried to marry her off at age fourteen, Zarna fled—first to the streets of Mumbai and ultimately to the glittering paradise of Akron, Ohio, where she got to become American for real.
On Zarna’s very American quest to find herself and her calling, she threw herself wholeheartedly into roles like dog-bite lawyer, crazy perfectionist stay-at-home mom, Indian matchmaker, prizewinning screenwriter, and more. It wasn’t until a dare led her to a stand-up comedy open mic that Zarna finally found her spiritual getting paid cold hard cash for her big fat mouth.
And as Zarna discovered, after surviving the brutal streets of Mumbai, the cutthroat world of stand-up comedy is nothing.
This American Woman is an exuberant story of fighting for your right to determine your own destiny and triumphing beyond what you ever dreamed was possible. Zarna’s mantra becomes a call to It’s never too late. If Zarna can do it, you can, too.
Bonus content! At the end of the program, hear from Zarna's sons Brij and Veer about losing their Mom to comedy, but finding each other. Experience Shalabh's front row seat watching his wife take flight in mid-life. If you think you cried enough during the memoir, you're not done yet!
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2025
924 people are currently reading
14217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 758 reviews
March 22, 2025
4.5 stars rounded down for a book that is an eye opener. Zarna Garg has written an autobiography that is at times, sad, appalling, inspiring and informative. She explains how she grew up in a well off Indian family in Mumbai, India. But then when she was 14 years old, her world changed overnight. Her father informed her that she had to get married to a man that he would choose for her. She refused and he ejected her from his house. India is evidently a male dominated society and her father could do this without consequences. Marriage at age 14 in India is common.
A relevant quote: "In Indian terms, once I hit age twenty, I flipped at exactly midnight from being a precocious child bride to being an over educated nuisance spinster."
By contrast, in the US marriage at age 14 is illegal in almost all states. In the 1 or 2 states that allow it, no child can be forced to marry someone they don't want to marry. When I talked about this subject with my wife she mentioned that there have been newspaper articles about immigrant families from the Middle East or South Asia, who have become entangled with the courts because of trying to force an underage child into a forced marriage.
Zarna lived on the street and sometimes at friends/relatives houses for a year and a half before she gave up and came home to her father. But then fate intervened as a US student visa that she had applied for several months prior was finally approved. With the help of a sibling, she secretly flew to the US.
Once in the US, she was able to extend her stay long enough to get a law degree and meet and marry someone of her own choosing. One more quote: "Indians don't marry for love. We marry for security. If you end up with love, that's a happy surprise. Like a little prize in a cereal box. But Americans demand-nay, worship--"love marriages," which is what Indians call non-arranged marriages."
Then she decides to expand her horizons again at age 40 and becomes a stand up comic. I have watched her on YouTube and she is funny. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Indian society and how people live there.
This book was a fast read and has some laugh out loud lines. I recommend it to anyone who likes books with humor.
Some thoughts on those who read this review and think that I believe that the US is a perfect society. It is not and has many flaws, some of which are terrible, including for instance, invading another country on a flimsy excuse of weapons of mass destruction, later proven to be a lie.
#ThisAmericanWoman #NetGalley
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
A relevant quote: "In Indian terms, once I hit age twenty, I flipped at exactly midnight from being a precocious child bride to being an over educated nuisance spinster."
By contrast, in the US marriage at age 14 is illegal in almost all states. In the 1 or 2 states that allow it, no child can be forced to marry someone they don't want to marry. When I talked about this subject with my wife she mentioned that there have been newspaper articles about immigrant families from the Middle East or South Asia, who have become entangled with the courts because of trying to force an underage child into a forced marriage.
Zarna lived on the street and sometimes at friends/relatives houses for a year and a half before she gave up and came home to her father. But then fate intervened as a US student visa that she had applied for several months prior was finally approved. With the help of a sibling, she secretly flew to the US.
Once in the US, she was able to extend her stay long enough to get a law degree and meet and marry someone of her own choosing. One more quote: "Indians don't marry for love. We marry for security. If you end up with love, that's a happy surprise. Like a little prize in a cereal box. But Americans demand-nay, worship--"love marriages," which is what Indians call non-arranged marriages."
Then she decides to expand her horizons again at age 40 and becomes a stand up comic. I have watched her on YouTube and she is funny. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Indian society and how people live there.
This book was a fast read and has some laugh out loud lines. I recommend it to anyone who likes books with humor.
Some thoughts on those who read this review and think that I believe that the US is a perfect society. It is not and has many flaws, some of which are terrible, including for instance, invading another country on a flimsy excuse of weapons of mass destruction, later proven to be a lie.
#ThisAmericanWoman #NetGalley
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
March 13, 2025
I'm not one to give 5 stars, usually for memoirs. However, this one truly touched me! After laughing, getting choked up with tears and laughing again (millions of times)... Zarna truly stole my heart with this memoir! I feel like I know her so deeply and felt related to the mom level of losing ourselves and getting bored. It was beautiful hearing about how she came to America, but heartbreaking hearing about her hardships as a teen in Mumbai. I loved hearing about her family aspects as her sister and brother truly seem like amazing people! Also, her husband is hilarious. Like they're legit perfect for one another. I love her funny banter. You can just feel her radiance and comedic moments through the words on the page. I giggled so hard while reading this. It made my cheeks hurt! I absolutely loved this! Someday, I hope to see Zarna live, as I know she's even more hilarious during her sets. Thank you for opening the world up to your story and journey. It was beautiful to read! Motivating, uplifting, relatable, and deep moments, but other moments are quite hilarious!
I received this ARC from Random House / Ballantine Books to read/review. All of the statements are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this ARC from Random House / Ballantine Books to read/review. All of the statements are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
June 25, 2025
I love, love, love listening to celebrity memoirs, and I've listened to a lot of them. Some are HUGE hits and my favorites of all time, and some... well, some just suck.
This American Woman: A One-in-a-Billion Memoir did not suck. In fact, it was charming, funny, and moving, just as I had hoped it would be.
Zarna's journey to comedy was a long one, and I have to give it up to my fellow middle-aged moms out there who are pursing their dreams. Seriously, what a gutsy woman. I was right there with her as she was telling her story, and when Zarna got emotional, I felt emotional also. When she had a win, I felt like I was winning. She really knows how to connect with people, whether it be through telling her life story or through her extremely funny immigrant humor.
I'm beyond happy that Zarna is exploding like she is, and this book is simply a must-read for all Zarna fans (or even those who haven't found her comedy yet).
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This American Woman: A One-in-a-Billion Memoir did not suck. In fact, it was charming, funny, and moving, just as I had hoped it would be.
Zarna's journey to comedy was a long one, and I have to give it up to my fellow middle-aged moms out there who are pursing their dreams. Seriously, what a gutsy woman. I was right there with her as she was telling her story, and when Zarna got emotional, I felt emotional also. When she had a win, I felt like I was winning. She really knows how to connect with people, whether it be through telling her life story or through her extremely funny immigrant humor.
I'm beyond happy that Zarna is exploding like she is, and this book is simply a must-read for all Zarna fans (or even those who haven't found her comedy yet).
*~*Follow me on instagram for more reviews, book talk, and deals posts*~*
August 4, 2025
Back in the BC times (that would be Before Children) when I was young, there wasn’t an endless option of streaming services, internet was of the dial-up variety and cell phones “flipped” (unironically), pretty much the only decent thing to watch after all the late late late shows were over were things like the Half Hour Comedy Hour. Now I have Netflix specials out the wazoo to choose from, but I’m old and like to go to sleep at 9:00 after imbibing in a relaxing murder show. All that means I had never heard of Zarna Garg prior to a friend sending me TikTok/YouTube of one of her bits. I knew I wasn’t going to change my true crimey ways, but did what I always do and immediately went to see if she had a book. And looky here.
Soooooooooooooooooooooooo, this is a hard one because when I check out a book by a comedian, I really have expectations of simple humorous essays being what I’m about to listen to. That wasn’t the case here. This is part memoir/part advice column. It worked . . . . but only because Garg had such an interesting personal history. However, it didn’t make me want to keep pounding the pavement and logging extra mileage on my walk.
Soooooooooooooooooooooooo, this is a hard one because when I check out a book by a comedian, I really have expectations of simple humorous essays being what I’m about to listen to. That wasn’t the case here. This is part memoir/part advice column. It worked . . . . but only because Garg had such an interesting personal history. However, it didn’t make me want to keep pounding the pavement and logging extra mileage on my walk.
July 16, 2025
I’ve been following Zarna Garg online for 3-4 years so I was excited to read her memoir. Because of library eccentricities, I read the first half of the book and listened to the audiobook for the second half.
I have to give the audiobook a lot of praise. I avoid them as a rule because I’ve been consistently amazed and disappointed how people who speak for a living often sound stilted and awkward narrating an audiobook. But Zarna sounds just like she does during her standup. Also the audiobook really goes for it with exciting music, microphone sound effects, and even her other family members reading their parts.
In terms of the content, the book is a raw story of her childhood and early adulthood, through her marriage and life as a stay at home mom and then beginning her standup career, all with her trademark humor. Highly recommended.
I have to give the audiobook a lot of praise. I avoid them as a rule because I’ve been consistently amazed and disappointed how people who speak for a living often sound stilted and awkward narrating an audiobook. But Zarna sounds just like she does during her standup. Also the audiobook really goes for it with exciting music, microphone sound effects, and even her other family members reading their parts.
In terms of the content, the book is a raw story of her childhood and early adulthood, through her marriage and life as a stay at home mom and then beginning her standup career, all with her trademark humor. Highly recommended.
February 11, 2025
I received a free copy of, This American Woman, by Zarna Garg, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. When Zarna was a teenager her father tried to arrange a marriage for her, she fled to America instead. I have never heard of Zarna before reading this book, she has had an interesting life. This was an interesting read.
June 9, 2025
Zarna's Garg's, This American Woman, is both entertaining, hopeful, and humorous. I don't read a lot of memoirs, but this one pulled me right in. I was most interested in her life in India. I love reading about other cultures and seeing how people grew up differently than me. Zarna's life couldn't have been more different. She is truly inspirational. Her story shows that true grit, humor, and a lot of hard work will take you places in life.
I love watching her Tik Tok videos now. I had never heard of her until I read her book, but now I am a big fan. I love seeing her comedy shows, especially the ones she included in her book. I hope this book has a lot of success because Zarna deserves it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Zarna Garg for sharing a free copy of this book with me. This is my honest opinion.
I love watching her Tik Tok videos now. I had never heard of her until I read her book, but now I am a big fan. I love seeing her comedy shows, especially the ones she included in her book. I hope this book has a lot of success because Zarna deserves it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Zarna Garg for sharing a free copy of this book with me. This is my honest opinion.
May 19, 2025
I bought this book 6 hours ago and I read it in one sitting. One of the best books I’ve read, Zarna’s story is inspiring. Everyone needs to read this book. It was an emotional rollercoaster in the the best way. I have never laughed so hard while reading a book.
May 12, 2025
The audiobook is excellent. This is a master class in writing a biography. Drama, tragedy and comedy, mostly laugh out loud comedy that everyone can relate to.
April 9, 2025
I knew of Zarna Garg and watched some of her comedy before. She definitely captures what it’s like to be an Indian in her comedy and much of that is reflected in her memoir too. Her sense of humor is readily apparent in her writing style so it made for an easy read. And the pictures really made this memoir even better.
My two complaints are that (1) she makes certain statements about life and expectations in India that are more of a reflection of her childhood than Indian norms, but non-Indian readers may make assumptions about India and Indians as a result. Is is Zarna’s responsibility to educate those readers about all of the nuances of being Indian? Not at all, but I do wish it was a little clearer in her writing that her statements are facts about her life - not everyone’s life - in India. And (2) the book provides a fair amount of detail about her early life and I wish she shared a little bit more about raising her kids and her path to becoming a comedian. Yes, I know there was a decent amount about the kids’ socks and private schools, and the various careers she pursued on the way to comedy. But I wanted more about her interactions with her kids and how she used that to develop her short videos on social media. It’s what I think really catapulted her fame within the Indian community on IG and TikTok.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
My two complaints are that (1) she makes certain statements about life and expectations in India that are more of a reflection of her childhood than Indian norms, but non-Indian readers may make assumptions about India and Indians as a result. Is is Zarna’s responsibility to educate those readers about all of the nuances of being Indian? Not at all, but I do wish it was a little clearer in her writing that her statements are facts about her life - not everyone’s life - in India. And (2) the book provides a fair amount of detail about her early life and I wish she shared a little bit more about raising her kids and her path to becoming a comedian. Yes, I know there was a decent amount about the kids’ socks and private schools, and the various careers she pursued on the way to comedy. But I wanted more about her interactions with her kids and how she used that to develop her short videos on social media. It’s what I think really catapulted her fame within the Indian community on IG and TikTok.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
June 14, 2025
I inhaled this book. I did it on audio, and it was a perfect listen for me between heavier reading.
Like most of us I had seen a few videos of Garg's comedy, but I knew nothing about her.
And what a remarkable life she has had, she grew up in a wealthy family in India. When she was 14, her father decided she would be in an arranged marriage, and she refused to marry, making her homeless. The memoir then covers how she came to America, and her life of great joy and failures prior to becoming a comic. Yes, there is humor, but this is not a book of snappy one liner comments but instead a book of a woman finding her own path, it just happens to be comedy.
I am now a fan. By the way, after reading the book, I went and watched the comedy special she mentions. After the very end of the show, she brings onto the stage her husband and kids. It was so much fun to see them after reading about them.
Like most of us I had seen a few videos of Garg's comedy, but I knew nothing about her.
And what a remarkable life she has had, she grew up in a wealthy family in India. When she was 14, her father decided she would be in an arranged marriage, and she refused to marry, making her homeless. The memoir then covers how she came to America, and her life of great joy and failures prior to becoming a comic. Yes, there is humor, but this is not a book of snappy one liner comments but instead a book of a woman finding her own path, it just happens to be comedy.
I am now a fan. By the way, after reading the book, I went and watched the comedy special she mentions. After the very end of the show, she brings onto the stage her husband and kids. It was so much fun to see them after reading about them.
June 17, 2025
All the stars for this audiobook and this will be a fav of 2025. It was so interesting, genuine and funny. I laughed and laughed and laughed. Thanks!
February 22, 2025
Zarna Garg's memoir was a really great read. I especially enjoyed reading about her life in India. It felt like I was reading a really good fiction book. I couldn't believe all of the things she went through. I also found her life in India to be incredibly fascinating. I had never heard of Zarna before I read this book and before I finished this book I had already gone on social media to find her comedy routine. She is an incredible woman! What really sets her apart in my mind is that she went through so much, had a family, and did not find her passion until she was in her forties. I find that so inspiring especially because I am in my forties and I can't imagine starting over with my career.
This memoir was entertaining as well as informative. I did not know all that was involved in arranged marriages or India marriage ceremonies. I also learned about schools in New York City. I had no idea just how cutthroat the school system is in the city which was crazy to me because I am a NY state teacher. Overall, Zarna's life was fascinating and inspiring. I look forward to following her career and seeing what she does in the future.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
This memoir was entertaining as well as informative. I did not know all that was involved in arranged marriages or India marriage ceremonies. I also learned about schools in New York City. I had no idea just how cutthroat the school system is in the city which was crazy to me because I am a NY state teacher. Overall, Zarna's life was fascinating and inspiring. I look forward to following her career and seeing what she does in the future.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
April 28, 2025
I had no prior awareness of Zarna Garg, but I enjoy memoirs, so I picked this one up. It was loads of fun, and now I'm a fan. I always appreciate memoirs that take me into a culture in ways that are difficult to access in real life. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Garg's descriptions of her upbringing in India, her move to the United States, and her life raising children in New York. Her New York life is affluent, and often, her "problems" weren't very relatable to people outside the private-school demographic in NYC - but I still enjoy learning about this aspect of American culture, particularly when it's presented with humor.
I expect Zarna's fan base will love the book. Like me, I expect others to become fans after they read it. With summer approaching, This American Woman would be a good vacation or beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ebook in exchange for a review.
I expect Zarna's fan base will love the book. Like me, I expect others to become fans after they read it. With summer approaching, This American Woman would be a good vacation or beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ebook in exchange for a review.
June 25, 2025
Zarna has always been one of my favourite comedians - she’s effortlessly hilarious and speaks the mind of most indian women. In this book, Zarna walks us through her life of a privileged kid born and raised in Mumbai, until she becomes homeless at 14, and her journey to America and to who she is today. Her story makes you laugh as much as it does cry. I haven’t felt such strong opposing emotions multiple times within pages in the same book. It shows you the reality of a not so rosey life of a girl in India - even if she’s from a privileged family.
I loved her writing style, I read the entire book in her voice and finished it in 2 days. I couldn’t put the book down for the first 65% of it, but once she was out of the woods and was talking about her comedy career, I found it to be a little dry and repetitive.
Zarna’s story is incredibly inspiring. Highly recommend this book, especially if you love watching her videos!
I loved her writing style, I read the entire book in her voice and finished it in 2 days. I couldn’t put the book down for the first 65% of it, but once she was out of the woods and was talking about her comedy career, I found it to be a little dry and repetitive.
Zarna’s story is incredibly inspiring. Highly recommend this book, especially if you love watching her videos!
July 30, 2025
Went into this one completely blind not knowing about the author at all and really enjoyed this Indian American immigrant stay at home mom turned successful stand up comedian. Moving, funny and great on audio including snippets of sections from the author's family. Highly recommended for fans of books by Mindy Kaling or Lilly Singh. I love a good success story about women chasing their dreams in midlife and killing it!
May 1, 2025
I rarely give 5 stars,but this book really deserves it. I also rarely read memoirs, and indeed, I didn't even realize when I got this book on NetGalley that I have been watching Zarna online for years.
What a life she has led.
Her beginnings in life as the daughter of a rich man's second wife, she was very loved by her half siblings, who protected her from the frequent wrath of her unreasonable father. Her mother died when she was 10, and when she was 14, her father began looking for a husband for her. This is not unusual, apparently, even today.
Zarna ran away and lived a rough existence for 2 years until she finally got a student visa and came to live with her sister in Cleveland.
In this funny but sometimes sad memoir, we learn how Zarna dealt with life. The chapter on her wedding is sometimes unbelievable, but she did marry for love. We learn about her children and her life in Manhattan.
The humor that she brings to her life and now her stand-up comedy.
I enjoyed her journey as a girl, wife, mother, and finally, a successful stand-up comedian. A fortune teller predicted she would be a success if she talked and talked, and she does she is.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. These are my honest opinions. Read the book and go watch some Zarna videos.
What a life she has led.
Her beginnings in life as the daughter of a rich man's second wife, she was very loved by her half siblings, who protected her from the frequent wrath of her unreasonable father. Her mother died when she was 10, and when she was 14, her father began looking for a husband for her. This is not unusual, apparently, even today.
Zarna ran away and lived a rough existence for 2 years until she finally got a student visa and came to live with her sister in Cleveland.
In this funny but sometimes sad memoir, we learn how Zarna dealt with life. The chapter on her wedding is sometimes unbelievable, but she did marry for love. We learn about her children and her life in Manhattan.
The humor that she brings to her life and now her stand-up comedy.
I enjoyed her journey as a girl, wife, mother, and finally, a successful stand-up comedian. A fortune teller predicted she would be a success if she talked and talked, and she does she is.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. These are my honest opinions. Read the book and go watch some Zarna videos.
May 21, 2025
I listened to this fully as an audiobook (not something I do as often) and I am obsessed. This was such a good companion on many airplane rides and while I did my eyes every night (iykyk) over the past couple weeks. I had seen some of Zarna’s content through instagram reels and listened to her as a guest on some of my comedy podcasts. And of course, I just got to see her star in the amazing “A Nice Indian Boy” movie.
She’s so funny and so real. Her story is amazing and had me both laughing out loud and almost shedding some tears. She is so strong and resilient, coming from a relatively privileged life in India, which turns upside down with family tragedy and a refusal to be married off as a teen. She tells her story of growing up, coming to America, meeting her now husband, and starting a career in comedy. She talks through both trauma and grief with such humor and gratitude. Absolutely loved and 1000% recommend.
She’s so funny and so real. Her story is amazing and had me both laughing out loud and almost shedding some tears. She is so strong and resilient, coming from a relatively privileged life in India, which turns upside down with family tragedy and a refusal to be married off as a teen. She tells her story of growing up, coming to America, meeting her now husband, and starting a career in comedy. She talks through both trauma and grief with such humor and gratitude. Absolutely loved and 1000% recommend.
March 23, 2025
I have to admit that I was unfamiliar with Zarna Garg's work before reading this book, but I'm a fan now! Often, while reading, I thought that her life story sounded like something right out of a movie (and she did - in fact - try to make it into a series of movies), but knowing these were real situations she had found herself in was all the more special.
Zarna, through all the ups and downs of her life, manages to stay determined and funny and warm as a person. The memoir will make you laugh and break your heart alike. I'm really glad she's sharing so much of what made her the person she is today with her audience. It takes guts to be so open and Zarna definitely doesn't lack in bravery.
Fazit: 4.5 stars! Absolutely adored this!
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
Zarna, through all the ups and downs of her life, manages to stay determined and funny and warm as a person. The memoir will make you laugh and break your heart alike. I'm really glad she's sharing so much of what made her the person she is today with her audience. It takes guts to be so open and Zarna definitely doesn't lack in bravery.
Fazit: 4.5 stars! Absolutely adored this!
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
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May 18, 2025No rating- memoir
I started following Zarna a couple years ago as I saw her stand up on tik tok so naturally I was so excited to read her memoir. Zarna is funny without trying to be, so her memoir is hilarious at its core. But it’s also emotional- growing up in Mumbai, she always spoke her mind and used her voice, which was atypical of a woman in India. So when her father wanted to marry her off at 14, she took off and ended up homeless for 2 years. Her journey from being a homeless teenager to a wife and mother living in New York, and her start as a stand up comedian at age 44 is well worth the read!
I started following Zarna a couple years ago as I saw her stand up on tik tok so naturally I was so excited to read her memoir. Zarna is funny without trying to be, so her memoir is hilarious at its core. But it’s also emotional- growing up in Mumbai, she always spoke her mind and used her voice, which was atypical of a woman in India. So when her father wanted to marry her off at 14, she took off and ended up homeless for 2 years. Her journey from being a homeless teenager to a wife and mother living in New York, and her start as a stand up comedian at age 44 is well worth the read!
January 22, 2025
This American Woman: A One-In-A-Billion Memoir by Zarna Garg is one of the best memoirs I have read in years. It is brilliant and funny, wise and witty. It will make you laugh and make you cry. Most of all, you will be inspired and cheer the author on in her future endeavors. I loved everything about this book and could not recommend it more. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
February 7, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! Zarna tells her inspiring story with the perfect amount of humor. I really enjoyed her writing style, and I loved that she included photos! This is one of the best memoirs I’ve read. I can’t wait to start listening to her podcast, too. Huge thanks to Random House-Ballantine for reaching out with approval for the ARC from NetGalley. I’m so happy I got acquainted with Zarna, and I look forward to what she’ll do next!
June 22, 2025
It is not uncommon for me to give high ratings to memoirs. It’s hard to critique the way someone chooses to share their story. I also love an immigrant story (my mom has one of her own). This memoir gave me a new respect for Indian culture and respect for Indian Americans. I feel so much love and respect for Zarna- and have sought out all of her content, her families podcast, her comedy, her movies, etc
July 16, 2025
One day, a Facebook reel caught my attention—it was of an Indian aunty doing a video on how to make masala chai. What was odd about it—the presentation. Auntie did not wear her best clothes, did not perfectly narrate the recipe, rather she’s yelling at ‘do not ask me how much ginger to add, just add “some”’. I laughed out loud. I immediately loved the aunty—our moms would not put themselves in front of a camera out of shyness and sometimes their poor sense of humor, and this bossy aunty is making gen Zs laugh!
Later I came to know she is a stand up comedian! It’s not just that her family is making funny reels out of their daily lives, she is a professional! She plays it out so well, you can’t separate Zarna Garg from the mainstream Indian mom she plays in her standups.
In This American Woman, Zarna entertains and amazes her readers/listeners with her personal stories—her life in India, moving to America, her American dreams. She seems a lot like the stubborn mom character she plays out, LOL, but I was pleasantly surprised to get to know the off-screen Zarna, who left home at 14, refusing to sit in on an arranged marriage, who rebelled against her father and went to America and studied law. She shared the family affairs, her struggles so openly in the book—I loved her for her courage! It seemed to me that Zarna is not the Indian aunty, but she is the one who was the subject of the wrath of Indian aunties.
Her life in India and America could have been mainstream, but Zarna being not-that-type chose the hard path. I loved how she met her husband through a dating website in the 90s! The way she was heading through her life—good education, good husband… I was wondering why she did not work after being a mom, why she suppressed her potential… I think, after being a mom, the Indian competitive motherhood kicked in inside Zarna, LOL. She raised her kids like an Indian parent, I have to admit that. Preparing children for all kinds of activities, preparing them for tests, getting them into public schools—Zarna is so Indian in her heart!
I listened to the audiobook, as I didn’t want to miss her voice and entertainment. What I loved most about this audiobook is—it’s full of life, like you’re listening to a live conversation. I noticed Zarna made a few slips of tongue, and that only made it real!
From a rebellious 14 year old to an American woman, to a stay-at-home mom, to a successful comedian—her journey is so inspiring! Love you aunty Z! And the Garg family too!
Later I came to know she is a stand up comedian! It’s not just that her family is making funny reels out of their daily lives, she is a professional! She plays it out so well, you can’t separate Zarna Garg from the mainstream Indian mom she plays in her standups.
In This American Woman, Zarna entertains and amazes her readers/listeners with her personal stories—her life in India, moving to America, her American dreams. She seems a lot like the stubborn mom character she plays out, LOL, but I was pleasantly surprised to get to know the off-screen Zarna, who left home at 14, refusing to sit in on an arranged marriage, who rebelled against her father and went to America and studied law. She shared the family affairs, her struggles so openly in the book—I loved her for her courage! It seemed to me that Zarna is not the Indian aunty, but she is the one who was the subject of the wrath of Indian aunties.
Her life in India and America could have been mainstream, but Zarna being not-that-type chose the hard path. I loved how she met her husband through a dating website in the 90s! The way she was heading through her life—good education, good husband… I was wondering why she did not work after being a mom, why she suppressed her potential… I think, after being a mom, the Indian competitive motherhood kicked in inside Zarna, LOL. She raised her kids like an Indian parent, I have to admit that. Preparing children for all kinds of activities, preparing them for tests, getting them into public schools—Zarna is so Indian in her heart!
I listened to the audiobook, as I didn’t want to miss her voice and entertainment. What I loved most about this audiobook is—it’s full of life, like you’re listening to a live conversation. I noticed Zarna made a few slips of tongue, and that only made it real!
From a rebellious 14 year old to an American woman, to a stay-at-home mom, to a successful comedian—her journey is so inspiring! Love you aunty Z! And the Garg family too!
August 4, 2025
I saw Zarna open for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and thought she was hilarious, so I was very excited when I learned she had written a book, which she narrates! I expected to enjoy it, but was surprised at how much I did enjoy it and why. The book provides deep insight into Zarna's childhood growing up in India, her difficult decision to come to America, and her circuitous, fascinating path toward becoming a comedian. Genuine and engaging, and of course at times quite funny, I devoured this audiobook and highly recommend it.
August 16, 2025
(audiobook)
2.5 ✨
Rating has little to do with the book, which was fine, and funny at times. But imploring everyone in my life to please intervene if you see me pick up another memoir, we have learned our lesson and need to stop.
2.5 ✨
Rating has little to do with the book, which was fine, and funny at times. But imploring everyone in my life to please intervene if you see me pick up another memoir, we have learned our lesson and need to stop.
July 26, 2025
Laugh out loud funny! I highly recommend you listen to this one because the author is narrating and she’s hilarious! I had never heard of this relatively new stand-up comic or about her life in India in an arranged marriage at age 14! Now I will find her taped special and laugh some more!
July 25, 2025
It is no surprise that I love a memoir written by a female comedian and this one was hilarious, emotional, and just so so so so good. I was laughing, tearing up, and enjoying every part of the book. Loved it 🫶
July 23, 2025
4.25/5
read for my South Asian Book Club!
always feel kind of weird to rate a memoir but found this not only humorous but so effortlessly hopeful. love seeing those in the south asian diaspora thrive :)
read for my South Asian Book Club!
always feel kind of weird to rate a memoir but found this not only humorous but so effortlessly hopeful. love seeing those in the south asian diaspora thrive :)
July 21, 2025
I listened to the audio- I loved it! Laugh out loud funny and heart warming- inspiring and unforgettable! Zarna! Zarna! Zarna! I would recommend to anyone and everyone.
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