This American Woman Audiobook By Zarna Garg cover art

This American Woman

A One-in-a-Billion Memoir

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This American Woman

By: Zarna Garg
Narrated by: Zarna Garg
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About this listen

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
Cultural & Regional Women Comedy Marriage Funny Witty Celebrity
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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

What listeners say about This American Woman

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A rollercoaster ride of emotions

This book will make your belly hurt with laughter and weep with tears of joy. There are many books out there who tell the story of the underdog but no one tells it like the Gargs. Yes, it’s Zarna’s memoire but every good story has amazing characters and how wonderful that Zarna passes the mic and shares the pages with her family. We get to hear their perspective of her in their own voice. It’s a MUST listen to!

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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.

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Must Listen !!

I Loved this story ! The audio book I so engaging and funny. I really could not stop listening . As a Southasian it resonates on so many levels.

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Hilarious and inspirational

Hilarious! I love that Zarna shares her personal life journey — as you listen, her comedic energy makes you laugh while also bringing tears with her life experiences. I truly love that!

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Inspirational but Funny and Emotional

I’ve been following Zarna for years and never knew her backstory. This is truly a great book to read. I couldn’t put it down. Either I was laughing or almost crying at times…but then inspired at her dedication and hard work.

Keep it up!

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Fantastic!!

I saw an interview yesterday morning that caused me to download the book. I’ve been hooked. Here I am finishing it a little over 24 hours later. What a journey. I’m ready for her movie!!

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Moving, funny, and just plain entertaining

I think it’s special to have Zarna narrate this. It really feels like she’s just talking to you, with her authentic emotions and even some stumbles over words. It’s a well-produced, fun book with a really moving and gripping story.

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Inspirational

I absolutely loved listening to this book, I finished it in just one day! This memoir is incredibly motivational, and as an immigrant myself, I found so many moments that deeply resonated with me. I was in tears when she wept for her mother, and I found myself laughing out loud at her jokes while driving. Zarna Garg is not only hilarious but also truly inspiring and hardworking. Her story is powerful, and it’s definitely worth listening to.

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Aurhentic Empowerment

A glimpse behind the scenes autobiography that is refreshingly real. Will resonate with many.women, married or not. You can relate.

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Zarna “militantly in service” and I’m here for it

I’ve been a fan of Zarna since she was making videos by NYC dumpsters. I knew she was onto something when my 70-something yo dad told his WhatsApp group he discovered this “bloody hilarious” Indian auntie in a salwar and was considering getting a TikTok to see more of her comedy. What I didn’t know is Zarna incredible and poignant life story. She used a term in her book — “militantly in service” that really resonated. Zarna spent the first part of her life desperately reconciling who she is and what she believed with being service to her Indian elders’ wishes and her Indian heritage. In the next phase she went all-in on militantly serving her husband and kids, and oh man did she kill it at that (green sock(s) and all!). And now she’s in arguably the most profound era of militantly in service — she’s in service to herself, her voice, her dreams, her story. It’s so damn inspiring.

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