No Land's Man

The actor shares a heartfelt “collection of humorous essays that explore his myriad identities: Indian, Muslim, British, and American” (The Boston Globe).

“My father moved our family to the United States because of a word. It was a word whose meaning fascinated him. It was a singularly American word, a fat word, a word that could only be spoken with decadent pride. That word was … Brunch! “The beauty of America, ” he would say, “is they have so much food, that between breakfast and lunch they have to stop and eat again. ”“—from “International House of Patel”

If you’re an Indo-Muslim-British-American actor who has spent more time in bars than mosques over the past few decades, turns out it’s a little tough to explain who you are or where you are from. In No Land’s Man Aasif Mandvi explores this and other conundrums through stories about his family, ambition, desire, and culture that range from dealing with his brunch-obsessed father, to being a high-school-age Michael Jackson impersonator, to joining a Bible study group in order to seduce a nice Christian girl, to improbably becoming America’s favorite Muslim/Indian/Arab/Brown/Doctor correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

This is a book filled with passion, discovery, and humor. Mandvi hilariously and poignantly describes a journey that will resonate with anyone who has had to navigate his or her way in the murky space between lands. Or anyone who really loves brunch.

“Best Comedy Books of 2014” selection by The Washington Post

Praise for No Land’s Man

“I was enthralled … . Mandvi writes beautifully and comedically about his life, with wonderful dialogue and revealing detail, reminiscent of David Sedaris. ” —Jonathan Ames, author of Wake Up, Sir!

“It always bothered me that Aasif was more than merely funny—he’s also a great actor. Now I’ve learned he’s an amazing storyteller as well, and I am furious … but also grateful. Aasif’s movement between cultures and genres is what makes him and his story singularly funny, poignant, and essential. ” —John Hodgman, author of The Areas of My Expertise and More Information Than You Require

“Aasif is my favorite Indo-Muslim-British-American Daily Show correspondent ever. I loved No Land’s Man!” —Jim Gaffigan, author of Dad Is Fat and Food: A Love Story

“A lighthearted but heartfelt portrait of Mandvi’s childhood and his struggles to come to terms with his rather complicated life. ” —The Boston Globe

© 2014 Chronicle Books LLC (E-bog): 9781452124094

Release date

E-bog: 4. november 2014