If you haven’t seen Master of None, the American comedy-drama series on Netflix, then you must do so immediately.
Created by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang, it stars Aziz as a character named Dev Shah. Dev is a 30-year-old actor living in New York City with his friends Arnold, Brian, and Denise. Each episode guides us through Dev’s daily life and his professional, romantic, and cultural experiences.
There are currently 2 seasons of Master of None with each season consisting of 10 episodes following Dev on his adventures in NYC. The episodes are well-written, witty and full of humour, and Aziz has a great way of reflecting on life experiences with an open mind. It has been accused of being ‘lifestyle porn’, however I feel this is unfair to the nuance given to each episode, and the thought-provoking issues Dev and his friends bring to our attention. My favourite episodes usually involve Dev’s parents, played by Aziz’s very own mum and dad, a funny and insightful pair!
If you like the sound of that I suggest catching up on Netflix.
Meanwhile check out the 7 books below that may also tickle your fancy.
We have to start with the star of Master of None Aziz Ansari’s own book- Modern Romance. The book was a vast undertaking for the actor so he teamed up with sociologist Eric Klinenberg. This huge research project included hundreds of interviews conducted everywhere from Tokyo to Wichita. Aziz’s witty look at romance of the 21st century is often as insightful as it is hilarious.
Mindy Kaling, your new best friend, has some similarities to Aziz Ansari by sharing some career and cultural aspects. Both Aziz and Mindy use their own wit and style in their work- both on screen and in writing. Mindy’s book is full of cheeky confessions and observations, writing about everything from being a shy young girl, to living in Hollywood and everything that entails. Honesty and humour are big parts of Mindy’s appeal!
These fun short stories are something you could imagine Dev and Arnold of Master of None discussing during their trip to the taco truck. Hilarious, ingenious, and kooky they are great fun to muse over… From the story of an unused condom describing life from its permanent home inside a teenager’s wallet to a lovestruck Sherlock Holmes ignoring all clues that his girlfriend is cheating on him. Simon Rich offers some really excellent and funny tales.
Open City by Teju Cole is a novel that stays with you when you read it. Written in a clear, even voice, it is a mature offering by a new author who may have a lot to offer. The intelligent but accessible novel is about identity, race, freedom, loss, and surrender. It certainly seems like the type of book Dev would read and reflect upon in Master of None. Much like the TV series, this novel offers some soul-searching with a little dusting of wanderlust.
Much like Master of None this novel is tender, modern, and full of humour. It offers an imaginative representation of two Chicago individuals and with much relatable angst and awkwardness, it dramatises the passage between the teen years and adulthood. It shows an age much younger than the characters in Master of None, but the tone is very similar in its humour and awkward honesty.
Sloane Crosley gives us this sharp and intelligent storytelling that surprises the reader at every turn. By recounting her victories and her catastrophes with genuine insight, comedic epiphanies are found in the most unpredictable places. Just like in Master of None there are stories of the perks and problems of living in New York City, as well as modern culture conundrums, and funny quips mixed with moral quandaries.
The Namesake tells of a clash of cultures, and like Deva and his parents in Master of None, it gives in sight into the experiences of Indian immigrants in an American suburb. The story spans three decades and crosses continents, and is a subtle, smart, and stirs the emotions.
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