Missed Translations cover

Missed Translations

by Sopan Deb

Deb's experiences as one of the few minorities covering the Trump campaign, and subsequently as a stand-up comedian, propelled him on a dramatic journey to India to see his father and bridge the emotional distance separating him from those whose DNA he shared. A writer and a practicing comedian, Deb's stage material highlighting his South Asian culture only served to mask the insecurities borne from his family history. His parents, both Indian, were brought together in a volatile and ultimately doomed arranged marriage and raised a family in suburban New Jersey before his father returned to India alone. Coming of age in a mostly white suburban town led him to seek separation from his family and his culture. Deb's experiences as one of the few minorities covering the Trump campaign, and as a stand up comedian, propelled him on a dramatic journey to India to see his father-- the first step in a life altering journey to bridge the emotional distance separating him from those whose DNA he shared. -- adapted from jacket

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?