This American Woman

A One-in-a-Billion Memoir

By: Zarna Garg

Narrated by: Zarna Garg

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 home: 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 action: 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!

©2025 Zarna Garg (P)2025 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“I knew This American Woman would be hilarious, because, well, Zarna is the funniest person I know. But I didn’t know it would also be the touching story of a brilliant and brave woman who defied all odds to make it in America. Her memoir will inspire you, make you cry, and laugh so hard it hurts.”—Mindy Kaling, award-winning actress and producer

“Zarna thinks like a lawyer, writes like a mother, and kills like a stand-up.”*—Tina Fey*If she ever gets canceled on TikTok, I rescind this endorsement.

“Zarna Garg is a force of nature. This American Woman is a deeply honest and hilarious book about how you always win if you bet on yourself.”—Amy Poehler

Fun, easy read

I’m so glad Zarna narrated her own audiobook. It really added substance to a book which is rooted in cultural nuances. This was a very fun book to read. As an American born from American parents, I don’t always understand the immigrant experience, however, I am highly intrigued and was impressed by the emotional depth Zarna was able to interweave with comedy in the story.

Inspirational drama

Loved hearing about Zarna's past and how she channeled her most difficult times into life lessons for future. I cried when her mom passed and dad did not step up and whenever her siblings supported her. Loved and related to so many of her anecdotes. Also liked how the whole family got involved and wrote essays for this book- Zoya's was my favorite!

I laughed, I cried, I loved

Must listen! I loved every minute and enjoyed the vocal performance. A true memoir that has cemented me as a ZARNA fan for life.

Listen only to Feel Good !

Listening to Zarna’s journey was the only option for me. I wanted to hear her voice and there are moments of tragedy, joy, and surprise. So many spolier alerts (her MiL was always Pro-Zarna! Her husband…why is he so chill and confident and also so supportive) her journey is so All American.

Fun and very inspiring

I’ve listened to 3 times already and kept finding gold in her words . Thanks Zarna for showing the world our reality

Heartfelt!

This book is so heartbreaking and so eye-opening to what goes on in Indian culture. Zarna is such an inspiration!

Loved! Loved! Loved! Super Excellent! 👏 👏 👏

Zarna reads her own life story with vigorous enthusiasm. She made me laugh and cry. I really enjoyed listening to her and her family members pour out their hearts. Great job to everyone involved in putting this lovely book together. 👏👏👏 Keep making great entertainment Zarna!
Thank You for the laughs!

love the story and the story telling

Zarna , I Love everything about your memoir. You will learn so much in this book, and be laughing at the same time. A great listen

Even better than I expected!

I was excited to read this book and it delivered in more ways than I thought possible. It undoubtedly made me laugh, but it also was so heartfelt and made me cry parentheses and I tried to hide my tears while walking the aisles of Costco, ha! Thank you for all the great work :)

This American Woman- must read

I saw Zarna and couldn’t wait to read her book. I highly recommend this book.