A razor-sharp novel about the rise and fall of an unemployed actor who lands the greatest role of his life when hes hired as a personal assistant to an absurd Hollywood family. "An exceedingly smart and funny novel." Sam Lipsyte, The New York Times Book ReviewRaj 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 Rajs 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. Rajs 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 ownone that will change everything for Raj.
