Review posted to StoryGraph and Goodreads on 3/28/25. Review will be posted to Amazon on release date.

I’ll be honest when I saw this book I really didn’t know much about Zarna Garg but the book blurb intrigued me. I’m so glad that I gave this a read. This is a voice-y book in the best way possible. I felt like I was sitting down having drinks with a friend. Garg achieved a balance of being funny but also vulnerable. It would be easy to try to make the harder moments of her life this small blip in the book but Garg takes her time allowing us to sit with a younger version of her who is scared and trying her best to survive. I loved getting to go on this journey with her and I can safely say I will be tuning into her comedy specials from here on out.

Why have a not heard of Zarna before? After all, she's opened up for headliners like Tiny Fey and Amy Poehler. Upon embracing her goal to become a comedian and finally achieving success, she says 'I had so much outrageous shit to say, and people wanted to pay me to say it!' The book starts out with her success then goes all the way back to the arduous and funny journey that Zarna took to get there. Escaping an arranged marriage in India that her father set up, she arrives in the US on a student visa and takes every odd job imaginable to keep pursuing her dreams. You get really great insight here into Indian culture and how women not married by their 20s are considered old maids! It's a story of resilience, and perseverance, with humor sprinkled throughout. She learned a lot from her father who made his business from nothing by taking risks, because 'that was where real money was made.' This is an inspirational funny story that show a slice of culture that many Americans may not have been exposed to before. A great ride!

I've been following Zarna Garg since I heard her story on the South Asian Trailblazers podcast, so when an opportunity came up to read her upcoming memoir, This American Woman, in its pre-release format, I jumped at the chance.

Zarna's book was EXCELLENT and I can't recommend it enough. There are so many layers to Zarna's story, and she tells them perfectly with the right balance of humor/humour and humility. From Zarna's early and complicated childhood growing up in India to her difficult transition to the U.S., and ultimately her 'now' as a celebrated comedian in America, this book has it all — grit, resilience, perseverance, and sacrifice, all intertwined with the complexities of family dynamics.

Zarna's book is a must-read for 2025!
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I loved, loved, loved this book! I admit I had not heard of Zarna Garg before. I had not watched her comedy special, her movie, or listened to her podcasts, but I will definitely seek them out now. What a touching, heartbreaking, and hilarious story of a girl from a wealthy family in Mumbai who ends up on the streets and "couch surfing" among friends, to a dedicated immigrant student in America, to a wife/mother, and then popular comedian. I was completely enthralled. Her story is filled with Indian culture and history, but the real story is of a determined young girl who becomes a determined successful woman. I laughed and I cried. So inspirational! I could not put this book down and read it in less than 24 hours. Garg's writing style is approachable and funny and filled with anecdotes and commentary that will appeal to anyone. The biggest surprise is how relatable her story is to anyone. It's a story of resilience, and it's a story that could have been set anywhere. As an American, I actually know little about Indian culture, rituals, and family life, so it was a bonus for me to learn so much and then to see American culture through the eyes of someone whose background is so different from mine. Her take on American education, sports, marriage, and more is fantastic! This would be a great book club book. Highly recommended!!

Having watched a few clips of Zarna's standup comedy, I was interested to read her take on life. She is not considered a normal candidate for stand up in US but she has made it so it is commendable without a doubt. Zarna has faced a lot in life to come to this stage and her path was slightly different. I enjoyed reading her journey which involved some hardships and challenges.

“This American Woman is such a fun and inspiring read. Zarna Garg’s story is hilarious at times, but what really stood out to me was her honesty and bravery in sharing her journey. From escaping an arranged marriage to building a new life in America, she brings so much heart and humor to every chapter. It’s a really good memoir, and I’d definitely recommend it!”

This American Woman by Zarna Garg

One of the most entertaining books out there, this five star memoir by comedienne Zarna Garg will have you laughing all the way from start to finish. Zarna did not have an easy childhood growing up in Mumbai India, but she certainly turned lemons into lemonade.

Zarna was determined not to be married off at age fourteen, so off she went using her smarts to stay alive. After ending up in America, Zarna turned her circumstances around to only suit herself. This book is hard to put down, so plan head for time to read it. I’m recommending it to everyone I know and am also following Zarna and her family on Podcasts and Instagram.

When I was sent this book, I thought "who the heck is Zarna Garg?". However, the cover of the book made me smile so I dove into reading. What a great book! I loved that this was written as a life story, learning all about her early years in India and the hardships she endured. Reading how someone assimilates to American culture, yet maintains their culture is always interesting to me (as is learning about any author's culture). I loved her description of her relationship with her husband and now, having seen Zarna's Instagram account, I adore the entire family! The tenacity she had to break into comedy, and now movies, was inspiring. This is a well written, laugh out loud funny book and I am now a Zarna Garg fan!

Do you know who Zarna Garg is? If not, she is someone worth learning about. Born in India, Garg was a stay-at-home mom for sixteen years before she tried her hand at standup comedy in her 40s. It didn't take long for Garg to gain notoriety for her hilarious routines, which include stories about her family and Indian culture. Following the success with her first TV special on Prime and a podcast featuring her husband and three children, Garg has now written This American Woman: A One-In-A-Billion Memoir. It's both heartfelt and incredibly funny.

Zarna Garg, born into an affluent family in Mumbai, was outspoken and had an independent nature from a young age. After her three older siblings were married, her father decided it was time for fourteen-year-old Zarna to marry and he began interviewing suitable, wealthy young men. As this was unacceptable to Zarna, she fled to Akron, Ohio, to live with her sister. This captivating memoir details her life in America, including her education, meeting her husband, starting a family, and their eventual encouragement to pursue standup comedy.

This was such an enjoyable book. Since reading it, I've been watching tons of Garg's comedy clips and interviews online. She is a fresh and welcome addition to the comedy scene. Her timing is impeccable. She's smart as a whip and undoubtably an inspiration to women. Her follow-up TV special, Practical People Win, hits Hulu in 2025 with a sitcom in development. Zarna Garg seems unstoppable.

4.5 stars.

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!

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.

I have followed Zarna Garg on social media and watched her special. She has become one of my favorite comedians. Her story was really touching. Her shaadi profile and her requirements gave me a laugh. I loved reading about her journey coming to America and staying with her sister and brother in law and then moving to New York. Her meeting her husband was really sweet. It was heartbreaking reading about her hardships growing up. She has come a long way from a child and teenager in India to now an amazing comedian. This story is a testament to hard work and determination.

I was given a widget of this book by the publisher. I don't usually read memoirs and I'd never heard of Zarna before but I did enjoy this story. She has an amazing life story that was really interesting - from her struggles in India, to fitting in once in America, to life as a mom and then life as a comedian. I was surprised, amazed, laughing and cheering for her as I read the book. Thanks so much for giving me this ACR in exchange for my honest opinion.

She is loud, boisterous, and very funny. Her life experiences as wife and mother, lawyer, entrepreneur,and immigrant from India added up to material for her career as a stand-up comic. She is
Zarna Garg and this is her story.

I loved This American Woman! Zarna is amazing, with an extraordinary attitude. I read this while at my Mom's hospital bed and I needed her optimism. Thank you for being you!

****Publishing April 29, 2025****

Zarna Garg wrote a fascinating memoir about growing up in a strict Indian family in Mumbai, India. After her mother’s death, her father wanted to marry her off at age 14. Zarna decided to run away to escape a prearranged marriage. She stayed with family and friends. When her sister, who was living in America, arranged for a plane ticket and student visa, she took it and never looked back. Zarna eventually went on to become a successful comedian.
It is a fast-paced read that opened your eyes to life in India and its culture. Also, how she navigated living in America to finding a husband, having kids and becoming successful. I loved Zarna’s sense of humor, as this book will have you laughing at times! A great book for book clubs!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Zarna is an inspiration for anyone who want to live their live their way. I was astonished by how brave and bold Zarna is, not only in every day living but in pursuing her dreams. I love that she came from a well to do family and when her father told her she had to get married she went on her own but unfortunately she told her father that she would marry someone her father wanted, but a miracle happen and she came to America instead.
Zarna is what all Americans dream about doing, pursue a career she loves, but in the meantime she had many hurtles to master before she found her way. I love that Zarna went looking for her own husband and found him. I like that she raise her children not only to be the best but to also realize that they can't be to sheltered from the world and it seems like her idea about education turn out pretty good.
I found Zarna's writing fun, honest and engaging, and I could see and feel what she went through as she pursued her goal and made it happen. I found that reading about the people in Zarna's life, to be people she could count on and who care a great deal about her no matter what she wanted to pursue and it's nice to know she had so many watching her back.

I want thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of a book about a woman who pursed the American dream and got it.

*This American Woman* by Zarna Garg is a sharp, witty exploration of identity, culture, and self-discovery. Garg’s storytelling is both hilarious and poignant, blending humor with real-life struggles in a way that feels super relatable. The characters are well-developed, and their complexities make the story both engaging and thought-provoking. Overall, it’s a refreshing take on the immigrant experience, and if you’re looking for something both funny and meaningful, this book is definitely worth picking up.

I was not familiar with Zarna Garg prior to this book, and this was the perfect introduction! What an inspiring story about a girl who bets on herself and makes her own dreams come true. I can't wait to see what she does in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.

There is a way to tell a life story in a way that’s compelling, has a story arc, and is totally authentic, and when you find those rare gems of a memoir, it’s like magic. When you can add to that a life story that’s nearly unbelievable and laugh out loud hilarious even as it’s opening your world view up to another culture? Dear reader, it’s a book you should absolutely read.

This story in this book is true life but it really feels like it could also be a hilarious movie. Zarna toes the line of being honest and being much too honest with a wit and verve that makes her feel like your Indian auntie. I did not know about Zarna Garg before I read her book, and now I find I want to know her personally. She is absolutely unstoppable, and she now has a new cheerleader as she claws her way to the top. If you don’t believe she can, maybe you could read her book and reconsider? Loved this read!

I would like to thank Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.