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Lilly's library selects Roshan Sethi’s The Simp as July pick
The Debut novel explores ambition, identity, and the pursuit of success in Hollywood.
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 09, Jul 2026
- 18:39 EDT
- 38
Roshan Sethi/ Lilly Singh / Instagram
Indo Canadian media personality Lilly Singh selected ‘The Simp’, the debut novel by Indian American writer, director, and physician Roshan Sethi, as the July pick for her book club.
Announcing the selection on Lilly’s Library social media channels ahead of the book’s release, Lilly described the book as “an immersive debut” that offers “a peek into the world of Hollywood–from struggling actors chasing their big break to the industry’s elite.”
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“Sharp, funny, and insightful, The Simp takes readers behind the curtain of fame, ambition, and belonging,” the post said.
Published by Simon and Schuster on July 7, The Simp: A Novel Without a Hero follows Raj Ladlani, an aspiring Indian actor in Los Angeles whose struggling career takes an unexpected turn after he lands a job as executive assistant to a powerful Hollywood family by inventing much of his background.
As Raj becomes immersed in the family's privileged world, the novel explores race, assimilation, ambition, celebrity culture, and the performance of identity in the entertainment industry.
The publisher describes the book as “a razor-sharp novel about the rise and fall of an unemployed actor who lands the greatest role of his life when he’s hired as a personal assistant to an absurd Hollywood family.”
The novel has drawn early critical acclaim. The New York Times Book Review contributor Sam Lipsyte called it “an exceedingly smart and funny novel.” Library Journal awarded it a starred review, describing it as “an immersive, literary page-turner” that offers timely commentary on race while providing a glimpse into the lives of Hollywood’s elite.
Publishers Weekly called the novel “whip-smart,” while Town & Country named it one of its Best Books of Summer 2026.
Sethi is a practicing oncologist and the co-creator of the Fox medical drama The Resident. His directorial debut, 7 Days, won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature.
He later directed Disney+’s World’s Best, co-wrote the feature film Call Jane, and recently directed A Nice Indian Boy, which premiered at SXSW. His next film, The Surgeon, starring Michelle Yeoh and Martin Freeman, is in development. The Simp marks his first novel.
Founded by Singh, Lilly’s Library is a book club that highlights books by South Asian authors while supporting literacy and community initiatives through the Unicorn Island Fund. The platform regularly features fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, and cookbooks by South Asian writers for readers around the world.
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