Book Club Night Kit

The Simp

Roshan Sethi

Cozy night

A funny, tender satire about Raj Ladlani, a struggling actor who takes a job as personal assistant to an outrageous Hollywood family. It's easy to laugh along with and easy to talk about over a warm plate of food.

Chai, Comfort, and The Simp

Come in your coziest socks for dal, warm chai, and a gentle chat about Raj Ladlani's very strange Hollywood job. Finished or not, there's a mug and a blanket waiting for you.

Reading level: Moderate Pages: 304

Best for: Friends who like a good laugh, a soft spot for dreamers, and conversation that wanders into their own stories

Discussion

Warm-up

1.Raj's big moment came playing Shakespeare at school. What small early moment made you feel you might be meant for something, and do you still think about it?
2.Raj scoops frozen yogurt while he waits for his break. What's the most memorable in-between job you've had, and what did it quietly teach you?

Digging in

1.Raj moved from New Delhi to Los Angeles with a lot of hope. When were you far from home and trying to belong, and what (a food, a person, a ritual) made it feel less lonely?
2.The L family treats Raj with open condescension. When a scene made you wince on his behalf, what feeling came up first: anger, protectiveness, or recognition?
3.Being told your luck might depend on who you are is a heavy thing to carry. How did those moments sit with you, and did they bring up anything from your own life or the lives of people you love?
4.Raj is an actor who ends up performing a different role every day at work. Where in your life do you play a part to keep the peace, and where do you get to just be yourself?

Going deep

1.By the time you closed the book, how did you feel about the way Raj's dream and his sense of self-worth got tangled together? What would you gently tell him over a cup of tea?
2.Satire makes us laugh at things that also hurt. Did the book ever catch you laughing and aching in the same moment, and which feeling stayed with you longer?

On the table & to sip

To eat

Slow-Simmered Dal Makhani with Warm Garlic Naan

A creamy, homey North Indian dish that nods to Raj's New Delhi roots. Make it a day ahead and keep it warm in a slow cooker.

Midnight Aloo Parathas with Butter and Yogurt

Stuffed flatbreads, the kind of comfort that tastes like someone looking after you, which is exactly what Raj rarely gets from the Ls. Cut them into wedges for easy sharing.

Raj's Froyo Bar with Warm Toppings

A playful nod to his frozen yogurt job, made cozy with warm cardamom-honey drizzle, gulab jamun pieces, crushed pistachios, and warm salted caramel.

To sip

Stovetop Masala Chai (no alcohol)

Milky, spiced, and simmered slowly. Brew a big pot and let the smell welcome guests at the door.

Haldi Doodh (Golden Turmeric Milk) (no alcohol)

A soothing, honey-sweetened warm milk that many Indian households treat as a cure-all. Right for a book about needing a little more care.

Chai-Spiced Hot Toddy

Leftover masala chai with a splash of bourbon and a drop of honey. A little Hollywood indulgence in a mug.