The Simp: A Novel Without a Hero

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.

Raj Ladlani is a morose and unemployable actor. He has reasons to believe he is spectacularly talented, a legend in every way but for the success. He leads an anonymous life in LA, working part time at a frozen yogurt store, fantasizing about stardom and clinging to the encouragement of his aging and kindly acting coach.

At his life's nadir, Raj reads a job posting detailing a relentless, laughable parade of menial responsibilities for an organization blandly described as "Hollywood Family."

The Simp tells the story of Raj's momentous employment with the H Family and the destruction that follows. Jim H is a massive and macho director in a creative rut. Anna H might uncharitably be described as his much younger trophy wife, quietly and neurotically seeking out her own independent sense of purpose as a screenwriter. Raj's work as their executive assistant becomes his new sense of soaring purpose. But he procured the job through a sea of lies.

The job itself is an absurdist walk through a landmine of affluent domestic chaos, identity politics, and petty Angeleno grievances. And things only get weirder when it turns out Anna H has been working on a secret project of her own--one that will change everything for Raj.

Author: Roshan Sethi
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 07/07/2026
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.82w x 1.15d
ISBN: 9781668211021


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 06/01/2026 pg. 79
Booklist 06/01/2026
Publishers Weekly 06/08/2026

About the Author
Roshan Sethi is a writer, director, and practicing oncologist. He is the cocreator of The Resident, which ran for six seasons on Fox. His directorial debut 7 Days won the Independent Spirit Award for best first feature. He subsequently directed World's Best for Disney+ and cowrote the abortion drama Call Jane, which premiered at Sundance in 2022. His third film as a director, A Nice Indian Boy, recently premiered at SXSW to rave reviews. His next film, The Surgeon, starring Michelle Yeoh and Martin Freeman, is forthcoming. The Simp is his debut novel.