Book info

• Title Yes, My Accent is Real
• Author Kunal Nayyar
• Year 2015
• Genres Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Humour

A delightfully funny collection of essays by the Indian-American actor, Kunal Nayyar, who plays the loveable, sincere yet incurably dorky character Raj in The Big Bang Theory. In this revealing book, Kunal Nayyar traces his journey from a nervous little boy in New Delhi who mistakes an awkward first kiss for a sacred commitment, gets nosebleeds chugging Coca-Cola to impress the other students at his all-boys school to the confident guy on the set of one of television's most-watched shows who one day eve gets to kiss the woman of his childhood dreams: Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years.

Review

I love The Big Bang Theory so was interested to read the story behind one of its stars - particularly one who has brought his own heritage and culture to a very American show. I really enjoyed this memoir, it was never dull even though it did relate some childhood stories here and there. But it was mostly about a person who sometimes fits in and sometimes doesn’t, sometimes is surrounded by thousands of friends and family, and sometimes is sitting alone in a dorm room wondering what to do with his life.

That kind of searching and wondering is relatable to everyone I think, although we don’t all go on to become pretty famous sitcom stars. The good news is that Raj and Kunal are not the same person at all, but they do share some traits - warmth, generosity and thoughtfulness, alongside a streak of jealousy and the occasional snap of dark humour. Pretty good going, I think.

Very curious to know what Kunal does next once Big Bang is over.

Rating: 4 / 5