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Fitting Indian: A Graphic Novel – A Powerful Young Adult Story About Mental Health in a Traditional South Asian Family
This debut teen graphic novel from social media influencer Jyoti Chand and rising star illustrator Tara Anand follows one girl’s journey navigating high school and her mental health within a traditional South Asian family. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever and Tillie Walden’s Spinning.
All Nitasha’s parents want is for her to be the perfect Indian daughter—something she is decidedly not. Everything she does seems to disappoint them, especially her mom. They just don’t get that she’ll never be like her doctor older brother. To make matters worse, she’s never quite felt like she belongs at school either, and lately, her best friend, Ava, and her crush, Henry, seem to be more interested in the rich new girl than in her.
Alcohol takes the edge off, but when that doesn’t work, Nitasha turns to cutting. She can’t stop asking herself: Will she ever be enough for her friends or her family? Or even for herself?
This authentic and powerful teen graphic novel shines a light on how harmful the stigma of mental illness is and how lifesaving a community that is honest about mental health can be.
All Nitasha’s parents want is for her to be the perfect Indian daughter—something she is decidedly not. Everything she does seems to disappoint them, especially her mom. They just don’t get that she’ll never be like her doctor older brother. To make matters worse, she’s never quite felt like she belongs at school either, and lately, her best friend, Ava, and her crush, Henry, seem to be more interested in the rich new girl than in her.
Alcohol takes the edge off, but when that doesn’t work, Nitasha turns to cutting. She can’t stop asking herself: Will she ever be enough for her friends or her family? Or even for herself?
This authentic and powerful teen graphic novel shines a light on how harmful the stigma of mental illness is and how lifesaving a community that is honest about mental health can be.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 13, 2025
10 people are currently reading
3907 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
October 5, 2025
Whew this one isn't for the faint of heart. It was definitely a tough read. CW: self-harm shown on page, minor dealing with substance abuse 3.5 Stars
What Worked: Fitting Indian was a title that I anticipated picking up as I've been attempting to read more YA graphic novels. Chand did a wonderful job addressing the intergenerational conflict that can occur in families. There are moments when Nitasha struggles with her identity in relationship to her peers that may resonate with teen readers. I appreciated the normalization of sexuality and attraction as well. Social media has been in constant debate about content like this in books. Authors like Chand handle it in ways that normalize conversations around the topic. Chand also did a wonderful job analyzing the impact of neglecting one's mental health by "pushing things under the rug." It pushed back against the idea that avoidance can/should be used as a means of healing. Additionally, the artwork by Anand drew me into every panel.
What Didn't Work: Unfortunately, I think that the pacing of the novel was a little uneven. Nitasha struggles with self-harm early on, but readers are never really given insight to when it started or why it started. The resolutions also felt a little rushed in some places.
Overall, I think this was solid graphic novel that does an excellent job addressing mental health and the importance of talking about issues to allow room to heal.
What Worked: Fitting Indian was a title that I anticipated picking up as I've been attempting to read more YA graphic novels. Chand did a wonderful job addressing the intergenerational conflict that can occur in families. There are moments when Nitasha struggles with her identity in relationship to her peers that may resonate with teen readers. I appreciated the normalization of sexuality and attraction as well. Social media has been in constant debate about content like this in books. Authors like Chand handle it in ways that normalize conversations around the topic. Chand also did a wonderful job analyzing the impact of neglecting one's mental health by "pushing things under the rug." It pushed back against the idea that avoidance can/should be used as a means of healing. Additionally, the artwork by Anand drew me into every panel.
What Didn't Work: Unfortunately, I think that the pacing of the novel was a little uneven. Nitasha struggles with self-harm early on, but readers are never really given insight to when it started or why it started. The resolutions also felt a little rushed in some places.
Overall, I think this was solid graphic novel that does an excellent job addressing mental health and the importance of talking about issues to allow room to heal.
February 16, 2025
This was an incredibly powerful and deeply personal debut YA graphic novel that features a South Asian teen struggling with anxiety, depression, alcohol addiction and self-harm. Nitasha comes from a traditional South Asian family where they don't speak about mental health issues and where the community as a whole places a huge stigma around anyone with mental health problems. When a viral video upends her life and causes a rift in her family, Nitasha goes to a dark place. Luckily with the help of her family, friends and therapy, she is able to find a light amidst the darkness and stand up for more mental health support in her community. This is such an important book and is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended, especially for fans of books like In limbo by Deb JJ Lee or Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
CW: suicide attempt, depression, anxiety, self-harm, alcohol abuse
CW: suicide attempt, depression, anxiety, self-harm, alcohol abuse
May 3, 2025
2025 reads: 100/300
i received a finished copy from the publisher as part of a book tour. this did not affect my rating.
content warnings: suicide attempt, self harm, alcoholism, bullying
all nitasha’s parents want is for her to be the perfect indian daughter, but everything she does seems to disappoint them. to make matters worse, her best friend and her crush seem to be more interested in the new girl than in her. she turns to alcohol and self harm to take the edge off, and wonders if she’ll ever be good enough for her friends, family, and herself.
this was such an emotional, in-depth graphic novel. i loved nitasha’s growth throughout the book and how the artist used different colors for certain scenarios. i also loved how nitasha’s family’s mental health and their discussions (or, mostly, lack thereof) of it were explored. overall, i really enjoyed this graphic novel, and would recommend it to anyone who’s okay with the content.
i received a finished copy from the publisher as part of a book tour. this did not affect my rating.
content warnings: suicide attempt, self harm, alcoholism, bullying
all nitasha’s parents want is for her to be the perfect indian daughter, but everything she does seems to disappoint them. to make matters worse, her best friend and her crush seem to be more interested in the new girl than in her. she turns to alcohol and self harm to take the edge off, and wonders if she’ll ever be good enough for her friends, family, and herself.
this was such an emotional, in-depth graphic novel. i loved nitasha’s growth throughout the book and how the artist used different colors for certain scenarios. i also loved how nitasha’s family’s mental health and their discussions (or, mostly, lack thereof) of it were explored. overall, i really enjoyed this graphic novel, and would recommend it to anyone who’s okay with the content.
March 14, 2025
The representation of an Indian American kid living life and confronting mental health struggles touched me deeply. Growing up as an Indian American kid, there was too little representation of any sort in media, even less so of “real experiences” that happen. I’m glad that things are changing for the current generation. One critique I have is that some of the inter personal conflicts get resolved too quickly by the end of the book — made it seem less plausible. But the value of the book far superseded that for me.
March 13, 2025
I'm not crying, you are!!
This book will really get you in the feels if you've ever had to experience anxiety and depression, especially when you have to hide it from everyone close to you. It does have triggering moments so be safe if you wish to read it.
Received a free copy from NetGalley.
This book will really get you in the feels if you've ever had to experience anxiety and depression, especially when you have to hide it from everyone close to you. It does have triggering moments so be safe if you wish to read it.
Received a free copy from NetGalley.
August 27, 2025
Honestly, for the first half of this book I was fighting static from my memories of the Netflix show, Never Have I Ever. I kept comparing and contrasting, and occasionally wishing I was rewatching that show instead of reading this book with its inelegant title.
But a dramatic event at the halfway point finally cleared my head of the streaming dramedy and pulled me deep into this version of family life for an Indian American teenage girl with mental health issues. I was fully engaged and on edge as the book barreled toward an ending that while a bit pat and simplistic was fully earned and very satisfying.
But a dramatic event at the halfway point finally cleared my head of the streaming dramedy and pulled me deep into this version of family life for an Indian American teenage girl with mental health issues. I was fully engaged and on edge as the book barreled toward an ending that while a bit pat and simplistic was fully earned and very satisfying.
August 30, 2025
This YA graphic novel draws upon the author's experiences growing up as an Indian kid in the US.
I appreciated the challenging themes explored including the stigma around mental health and lack of cultural acceptance of getting the help needed. The illustrations by Tara Anand capture the mood of this tale really well. My only complaint is that things seem to resolve too easily and neatly at the end.
Delighted that books like these exist for the community.
Would recommend reviewing the trigger warnings.
I appreciated the challenging themes explored including the stigma around mental health and lack of cultural acceptance of getting the help needed. The illustrations by Tara Anand capture the mood of this tale really well. My only complaint is that things seem to resolve too easily and neatly at the end.
Delighted that books like these exist for the community.
Would recommend reviewing the trigger warnings.
Want to read
October 22, 2024"This debut teen graphic novel follows one girl’s journey navigating high school and her mental health within a traditional South Asian family. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever and Tillie Walden’s Spinning."
and "it shines a light on how harmful the stigma of mental illness is and how lifesaving a community that is honest about mental health can be"
and "it shines a light on how harmful the stigma of mental illness is and how lifesaving a community that is honest about mental health can be"
April 25, 2025
Nitasha identifies both as an American and an Indian, but also at the same time she can't identify as either, struggling to find her place in both communities. As many teens do, she rebels against her parents, sneaking out of the house, experimenting with substances, and hanging out past her curfew. But behind her sometimes reckless behavior is a girl struggling to figure out who she is, be accepted by those around her, and cope with her own mental health needs.
Chand's narrative work had me wondering halfway through my reading of this, "Why am I so invested in the drama of these seventeen-year-old girls?!" When I read realistic YA, I usually find myself a little disconnected being an older reader, but there was something about the inner machinations of these three girls that made me want to be a part of the gossip. I was shocked and appalled on Nitasha's behalf and literally snapped for her when she was able to stand up for herself. I was rooting for Nitasha like she was one of my friends, especially as the romantic subplot developed. While I felt immersed in the world of this book for the most part, there were some moments right before the climax that felt a bit too unrealistic for me (and potentially illegal?) that pulled me out of the narrative a bit. I think if that were scaled back a smidge, this would have easily been a 5 star read for me!
While parts of this book will likely not be appropriate for all young readers, the messages are important for teens who may feel the same as Nitasha. In 2025 especially, adults should be making space for teen voices and actually hearing what they have to say. This book shows not just teens, but also adults, why it's so important for everyone to feel like they hold space within a community and what potentially happen when they aren't given that space.
Chand's narrative work had me wondering halfway through my reading of this, "Why am I so invested in the drama of these seventeen-year-old girls?!" When I read realistic YA, I usually find myself a little disconnected being an older reader, but there was something about the inner machinations of these three girls that made me want to be a part of the gossip. I was shocked and appalled on Nitasha's behalf and literally snapped for her when she was able to stand up for herself. I was rooting for Nitasha like she was one of my friends, especially as the romantic subplot developed. While I felt immersed in the world of this book for the most part, there were some moments right before the climax that felt a bit too unrealistic for me (and potentially illegal?) that pulled me out of the narrative a bit. I think if that were scaled back a smidge, this would have easily been a 5 star read for me!
While parts of this book will likely not be appropriate for all young readers, the messages are important for teens who may feel the same as Nitasha. In 2025 especially, adults should be making space for teen voices and actually hearing what they have to say. This book shows not just teens, but also adults, why it's so important for everyone to feel like they hold space within a community and what potentially happen when they aren't given that space.
March 13, 2025
Beautifully written, emotional, raw and eye opening graphic novel by a really down to earth wife, mom, daughter, etc. that I’ve been following a long time on instagram! So happy for her and the telling of this story!
April 19, 2025
I won this graphic novel in a Harper Collins YA giveaway and am so glad I did. I didn't have any expectations going into it; the most I knew about it was that it covers mental health issues.
Before reading this, I highly recommend you check trigger warnings
The story follows a teenage girl named Nitasha who is struggling with depression and anxiety. She doesn't feel like she fits in since she's too "American" to be Indian and too "Indian" to be American; she's stuck in between. It also doesn't help that she feels a lack of freedom and understanding compared to her older brother, who is a doctor and engaged to a lawyer. Nitasha doesn't feel like she's good enough. She feels she is a constant disappointment, which leads to her self-harming and participating in excessive underage drinking, which eventually leads to her trying tocommit suicide.
This novel hit closer to home than I expected. To be candid and vulnerable, I've struggled with anxiety and depression. I've had moments where I believed it would be better for everyone if I never existed, and I have a family member who attempted, so while reading, I cried... a lot.
It's comforting knowing others have experienced the same because it means you aren't alone in that pain, suffering, and dark place. What was also lovely about this is that it shines a light on how Nitasha's attempt affects everyone. She finally realized how many people care about and love her — a beautiful reminder. Even if we might not feel like it or believe it when we're in that dark place, at least one person is happy we're alive and in their life.
The novel also dedicates a page at the end with resources for mental health 💗 Remember you are never alone, and even if it doesn't feel like it, there is hope. When there's hope, there's a way.
Before reading this, I highly recommend you check trigger warnings
The story follows a teenage girl named Nitasha who is struggling with depression and anxiety. She doesn't feel like she fits in since she's too "American" to be Indian and too "Indian" to be American; she's stuck in between. It also doesn't help that she feels a lack of freedom and understanding compared to her older brother, who is a doctor and engaged to a lawyer. Nitasha doesn't feel like she's good enough. She feels she is a constant disappointment, which leads to her self-harming and participating in excessive underage drinking, which eventually leads to her trying to
This novel hit closer to home than I expected. To be candid and vulnerable, I've struggled with anxiety and depression. I've had moments where I believed it would be better for everyone if I never existed, and I have a family member who attempted, so while reading, I cried... a lot.
It's comforting knowing others have experienced the same because it means you aren't alone in that pain, suffering, and dark place. What was also lovely about this is that it shines a light on how Nitasha's attempt affects everyone. She finally realized how many people care about and love her — a beautiful reminder. Even if we might not feel like it or believe it when we're in that dark place, at least one person is happy we're alive and in their life.
The novel also dedicates a page at the end with resources for mental health 💗 Remember you are never alone, and even if it doesn't feel like it, there is hope. When there's hope, there's a way.
July 12, 2025
Nitasha's parents want her to be the perfect Indian daughter, but Nitasha is anything but. Her best friend and school crush are enamored with the new rich white girl, and Nitasha turns to drinking and cutting in order to manage.
I don't think this book is for everyone but I still think that it's important. There are so many expectations that overwhelm teens and Nitasha feels cornered into dealing with those expectations in a harmful way. The story handles those emotions with kindness and through multiple perspectives, and the reader is able to see different facets of alcoholism and suicide, which I think strengthens the narrative. A hard read, but an relevant one, and I'd be interested to see if a teen feels the same.
I don't think this book is for everyone but I still think that it's important. There are so many expectations that overwhelm teens and Nitasha feels cornered into dealing with those expectations in a harmful way. The story handles those emotions with kindness and through multiple perspectives, and the reader is able to see different facets of alcoholism and suicide, which I think strengthens the narrative. A hard read, but an relevant one, and I'd be interested to see if a teen feels the same.
May 22, 2025
TW: anxiety, depression, alcoholism, sh
This book touched on so many important mental health topics, and it handled them in a way that felt very raw and real, yet wonderfully written. Especially for a graphic novel! This was my first time reading a graphic novel in a while, and I loved the way this one was structured. The illustrations were beautiful and the dialogue was to the point. This graphic novel provided insightful education on mental health and breaking the mental health stigma :)
This book touched on so many important mental health topics, and it handled them in a way that felt very raw and real, yet wonderfully written. Especially for a graphic novel! This was my first time reading a graphic novel in a while, and I loved the way this one was structured. The illustrations were beautiful and the dialogue was to the point. This graphic novel provided insightful education on mental health and breaking the mental health stigma :)
June 18, 2025
Difficult but startlingly beautiful. I had copious tears running down my face during the last 3rd, but I had to go back and revisit some of the best scenes.
July 31, 2025
I love the way the different people and body types are drawn in this 🥺
August 8, 2025
4.5/5
September 17, 2025
Gorgeous art, gorgeous story, gorgeous characters.
Want to read
February 26, 2026Trigger & Content Warnings:
Slut-shaming
Alcoholism & alcohol abuse (protagonist)
Self-harm & attempted suicide (on-page, protagonist)
Cyberbullying
Slut-shaming
Alcoholism & alcohol abuse (protagonist)
Self-harm & attempted suicide (on-page, protagonist)
Cyberbullying
September 12, 2025
TW: Alcohol abuse, self-harm, attempted suicide, bullying, mental health stigma
February 16, 2025
A YA graphic novel debut by social media influencer.
🪷
Nitasha feels like she has to be the perfect Indian daughter all the time, especially when she’s compared to her older brother who is a doctor and marrying the perfect Indian girl. But all she seems to do is disappoint those around her. To make herself feel better Nitasha drinks in secret and self-harms. When a video of her drunk and almost naked goes viral on social media, she hits her breaking point and a discussion about #mentalhealth struggles becomes a necessity.
🪷
I. Adored. This. Book. When I started it I thought it was going to be a high school drama book filled with cliques, boyfriend-stealing, etc. but it became so much more than that. Not only did Chand bring to light a topic that is more important now than ever before, she also noted how mental health issues are seen in the Indian culture. There’s a strong stigma that needs to be addressed and I think the author did a fantastic job of doing just that. Fans of Glass Girl and Spinning will connect with this one too. 5 ⭐️ for this upper young adult title releasing May 13!
CW: self-harm, suicide attempt, alcohol, alcoholism, mental health struggles, domestic abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, hospitalization
🪷
Nitasha feels like she has to be the perfect Indian daughter all the time, especially when she’s compared to her older brother who is a doctor and marrying the perfect Indian girl. But all she seems to do is disappoint those around her. To make herself feel better Nitasha drinks in secret and self-harms. When a video of her drunk and almost naked goes viral on social media, she hits her breaking point and a discussion about #mentalhealth struggles becomes a necessity.
🪷
I. Adored. This. Book. When I started it I thought it was going to be a high school drama book filled with cliques, boyfriend-stealing, etc. but it became so much more than that. Not only did Chand bring to light a topic that is more important now than ever before, she also noted how mental health issues are seen in the Indian culture. There’s a strong stigma that needs to be addressed and I think the author did a fantastic job of doing just that. Fans of Glass Girl and Spinning will connect with this one too. 5 ⭐️ for this upper young adult title releasing May 13!
CW: self-harm, suicide attempt, alcohol, alcoholism, mental health struggles, domestic abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, hospitalization
February 19, 2025
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
A fantastic story about how mental health is "hidden" even when it is right in front of you. The POV is fresh, but the theme is a good one for YA novels/graphic novels. A must to keep writing.
Read via an online reader copy
A fantastic story about how mental health is "hidden" even when it is right in front of you. The POV is fresh, but the theme is a good one for YA novels/graphic novels. A must to keep writing.
Read via an online reader copy
September 3, 2025
A young Indian girl struggling to deal with culture clash becomes a full-on after-school special as the author throws the book at the poor girl. Alcohol abuse, cutting, (bad) sexual exploration, doxxing, racism, abusive grandparents, ignorant parents, . And then there's a pretty pat ending where all this trauma leads to a new start for the community! Huzzah!
I mean, Fitting Indian is competently written and the art is fine, if a bit static. It just feels very contrived and, somewhat surprisingly, doesn't offer much of a look at Indian-American life beyond this one (pretty dark) example. Perhaps I just wanted to this be more like Netflix's Never Have I Ever. A laugh here or there wouldn't have hurt!
I mean, Fitting Indian is competently written and the art is fine, if a bit static. It just feels very contrived and, somewhat surprisingly, doesn't offer much of a look at Indian-American life beyond this one (pretty dark) example. Perhaps I just wanted to this be more like Netflix's Never Have I Ever. A laugh here or there wouldn't have hurt!
Want to read
April 23, 2024From the rights report: "Pitched as Never Have I Ever meets Spinning, this YA graphic novel follows Nitasha as she navigates pressure and expectations from her traditional South Asian family, the challenges of high school—and her mental health."
May 14, 2025
The artwork by Tara Anand was stunning. The story made me cry :,-)
February 21, 2026
Wow… I genuinely don’t know if I finished this book, or if this book finished me. I cried through, no exaggeration, about 78% of it. Proper, uncontrollable, snot-and-tears crying. The kind that leaves you drained, hollow, and somehow… understood.
I saw parts of myself in Nitasha. Not all of her: I’m no longer 16, but pain doesn’t really care about age, does it? Some struggles just follow you, evolve with you, sit quietly in the background no matter how old you get.
The book kept circling one question in my mind: is being different really such a bad thing?
Because I’ve lived that question.
I was born and raised in Europe. My father spent over five decades here and, in many ways, embraced the culture of the country we live in more than his own Indian or Mozambican roots. My mother moved here after marriage and has lived here for more than 30 years, yet she never let go of her Indian side. So I grew up somewhere in between: not quite the “typical” Indian family. I was never told I couldn’t do something because I was a girl. I was never raised to believe my future depended on a husband. And for that, I am deeply grateful. I know the privilege of that freedom, especially when I look at parts of my family in India.
And yet… even with that freedom, I was still “different.”
People, even some I called friends, couldn’t understand how I could be so shaped by Europe and still love things that are Indian. Speaking multiple non-European languages. Loving Indian cinema. Carrying a name that stood out in every classroom. These things, instead of making me interesting, often made me "the other". And for a long time, I didn’t understand why that pushed people away.
Until I realised something that changed everything: I wasn’t the problem.
And I wasn’t going to shrink myself just to keep people around.
Ironically, the people who helped me see that were not even my friends — just three girls who observed from the outside and saw how badly I was being treated by so called friends. So, wherever they are: thank you!
School wasn’t easy either. While others did the bare minimum and went out after (or during) classes, I buried myself in studying, chasing a merit scholarship. Studying became my refuge. But by my final year, I had hit rock bottom. I tried to end everything. And somehow, I was pulled back...by my teachers. They told me they believed in me, that they wanted to see me go to university, succeed… and they helped me in ways I will never forget.
University didn’t magically fix things. My first year was hard. Life there was hard. There were moments I thought about giving up entirely. But I also found my best friend through shared trauma, ironically, and we’ve now been friends for 10 years!
Like Kourtney says in the book, “you’re one of the lucky ones.”
And in some ways, I was. Because every time I was about to fall, someone caught me. But that doesn’t erase the fact that there were also people who tried to pull me in the wrong direction.
I needed medical help. I still do. I needed to rebuild my environment, surround myself with better, kinder energy. And over the years, I’ve slowly learned to accept my differences, to stop holding onto people who made me feel small because of them, and to choose what actually brings me peace.
My story and Nitasha’s story are not the same. But both matter. And there are so many other stories like ours that also deserve to be heard, not dismissed, not ignored!
I’ve been living with depression for years, and one thing this book captures so painfully well is that it’s not an on/off switch. Just because I look okay doesn’t mean I am. Healing isn’t linear, and everyone carries something you can’t see.
This book broke me in the best and worst ways.
And without a single doubt, "Fitting Indian" is the best book I’ve read in 2026!
I knew it from the very first pages this was always going to be 5 stars!
I saw parts of myself in Nitasha. Not all of her: I’m no longer 16, but pain doesn’t really care about age, does it? Some struggles just follow you, evolve with you, sit quietly in the background no matter how old you get.
The book kept circling one question in my mind: is being different really such a bad thing?
Because I’ve lived that question.
I was born and raised in Europe. My father spent over five decades here and, in many ways, embraced the culture of the country we live in more than his own Indian or Mozambican roots. My mother moved here after marriage and has lived here for more than 30 years, yet she never let go of her Indian side. So I grew up somewhere in between: not quite the “typical” Indian family. I was never told I couldn’t do something because I was a girl. I was never raised to believe my future depended on a husband. And for that, I am deeply grateful. I know the privilege of that freedom, especially when I look at parts of my family in India.
And yet… even with that freedom, I was still “different.”
People, even some I called friends, couldn’t understand how I could be so shaped by Europe and still love things that are Indian. Speaking multiple non-European languages. Loving Indian cinema. Carrying a name that stood out in every classroom. These things, instead of making me interesting, often made me "the other". And for a long time, I didn’t understand why that pushed people away.
Until I realised something that changed everything: I wasn’t the problem.
And I wasn’t going to shrink myself just to keep people around.
Ironically, the people who helped me see that were not even my friends — just three girls who observed from the outside and saw how badly I was being treated by so called friends. So, wherever they are: thank you!
School wasn’t easy either. While others did the bare minimum and went out after (or during) classes, I buried myself in studying, chasing a merit scholarship. Studying became my refuge. But by my final year, I had hit rock bottom. I tried to end everything. And somehow, I was pulled back...by my teachers. They told me they believed in me, that they wanted to see me go to university, succeed… and they helped me in ways I will never forget.
University didn’t magically fix things. My first year was hard. Life there was hard. There were moments I thought about giving up entirely. But I also found my best friend through shared trauma, ironically, and we’ve now been friends for 10 years!
Like Kourtney says in the book, “you’re one of the lucky ones.”
And in some ways, I was. Because every time I was about to fall, someone caught me. But that doesn’t erase the fact that there were also people who tried to pull me in the wrong direction.
I needed medical help. I still do. I needed to rebuild my environment, surround myself with better, kinder energy. And over the years, I’ve slowly learned to accept my differences, to stop holding onto people who made me feel small because of them, and to choose what actually brings me peace.
My story and Nitasha’s story are not the same. But both matter. And there are so many other stories like ours that also deserve to be heard, not dismissed, not ignored!
I’ve been living with depression for years, and one thing this book captures so painfully well is that it’s not an on/off switch. Just because I look okay doesn’t mean I am. Healing isn’t linear, and everyone carries something you can’t see.
This book broke me in the best and worst ways.
And without a single doubt, "Fitting Indian" is the best book I’ve read in 2026!
I knew it from the very first pages this was always going to be 5 stars!
November 2, 2025
no cuz why did this book clock my tea
NITASHA TWIN WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN????
Okay this book was REALLY heavy subject wise for me because of how closely Nitasha's life resemble(s/d) mine. I deadass had tears in my eyes cuz why is my trauma written and illustrated in a graphic novel hello??!!
For example, the very oppressive system of gender norms where mostly the women do all the heavy lifting and rewards men who do fuck all ¬_¬)
The notorious and extremely real immigrant mother-daughter relationship with an over-controlling strict mother who rules with an iron fist and the rebellious burnt-out daughter who's tired of being a puppet to fulfill dated fantasies. I find similarities with June and Evelyn from EEAAO (LOVEEEE AAH) because eventually all that hurt, bitterness, and hate will come out.
It's a very complicated situation because I think that this happens because mothers feel like their children "owe" them because they came all the way here, gave birth, changed your diapers, and put up with all the bratty tantrums (I am in no way downplaying the nightmare that is parenting), so you better cure cancer. Which is completely unrealistic, because the expectations are unreachable, because 1. There is no passion in it, so forcing the child will make them hate you 2. When they're 18 and hopefully out of your suffocating grip they will cut contact with your ass! So support your god damn child or they will find people who will. They think what they are doing is right, this will benefit because they only see one "right" future, and usually coming from traditional values tend to associate artists with living in poverty.
The immigrant intra-familial relationship is like a secret hornets nest that like most things (human rights) get swept under the rug to chase a gilded ideal.
Fathers with locked hearts who escape with a pack of Malboros and a Bud Lite. Not because they are unloving, because they are scared or ashamed. It wasn't manly to talk about their mushy feelings so let's pretend nothing happened everything is hunky dory! But it's not, after that last cigarette or bottle your daughter is still- your daughter.
This book broke me < / 3
If you're going through this, trust me it gets better. Most importantly, you have to save yourself
LOVE YOU JYOTI and Tara omg the art is pure eye candy teach me your ways 🛐🛐
NITASHA TWIN WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN????
Okay this book was REALLY heavy subject wise for me because of how closely Nitasha's life resemble(s/d) mine. I deadass had tears in my eyes cuz why is my trauma written and illustrated in a graphic novel hello??!!
For example, the very oppressive system of gender norms where mostly the women do all the heavy lifting and rewards men who do fuck all ¬_¬)
The notorious and extremely real immigrant mother-daughter relationship with an over-controlling strict mother who rules with an iron fist and the rebellious burnt-out daughter who's tired of being a puppet to fulfill dated fantasies. I find similarities with June and Evelyn from EEAAO (LOVEEEE AAH) because eventually all that hurt, bitterness, and hate will come out.
It's a very complicated situation because I think that this happens because mothers feel like their children "owe" them because they came all the way here, gave birth, changed your diapers, and put up with all the bratty tantrums (I am in no way downplaying the nightmare that is parenting), so you better cure cancer. Which is completely unrealistic, because the expectations are unreachable, because 1. There is no passion in it, so forcing the child will make them hate you 2. When they're 18 and hopefully out of your suffocating grip they will cut contact with your ass! So support your god damn child or they will find people who will. They think what they are doing is right, this will benefit because they only see one "right" future, and usually coming from traditional values tend to associate artists with living in poverty.
The immigrant intra-familial relationship is like a secret hornets nest that like most things (human rights) get swept under the rug to chase a gilded ideal.
Fathers with locked hearts who escape with a pack of Malboros and a Bud Lite. Not because they are unloving, because they are scared or ashamed. It wasn't manly to talk about their mushy feelings so let's pretend nothing happened everything is hunky dory! But it's not, after that last cigarette or bottle your daughter is still- your daughter.
This book broke me < / 3
If you're going through this, trust me it gets better. Most importantly, you have to save yourself
LOVE YOU JYOTI and Tara omg the art is pure eye candy teach me your ways 🛐🛐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2025
Jyoti Chand's graphic novel, Fitting Indian, illustrated by Tara Anand, is a powerful and authentic portrayal of a young woman's struggle to find her place in the world. It tackles the complex intersection of identity, mental health, and cultural expectations, particularly for children of immigrant families in Western countries. As an Indian myself, I found Nitasha's journey deeply relatable.
What sets Fitting Indian apart is its groundbreaking approach. To my knowledge, it's the first graphic novel by an Indian author to so directly address these vital issues. The story resonates because it deftly captures the pressure of living up to traditional South Asian expectations, especially the ideal of the "perfect Indian daughter," and the added burden of being compared to a successful sibling. I particularly connected with the portrayal of these cultural expectations.
Furthermore, the book bravely confronts the stigma surrounding mental illness within traditional Indian families. Nitasha's journey of self-discovery, her struggle for acceptance from both her family and herself, is both moving and insightful. Through stunning illustrations and compelling narrative, Fitting Indian highlights the crucial importance of open conversations about mental health and the invaluable support of a strong community. Ultimately, this book shines a necessary light on the challenges faced by many young Indian people, making it a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of identity in a multicultural world.
What sets Fitting Indian apart is its groundbreaking approach. To my knowledge, it's the first graphic novel by an Indian author to so directly address these vital issues. The story resonates because it deftly captures the pressure of living up to traditional South Asian expectations, especially the ideal of the "perfect Indian daughter," and the added burden of being compared to a successful sibling. I particularly connected with the portrayal of these cultural expectations.
Furthermore, the book bravely confronts the stigma surrounding mental illness within traditional Indian families. Nitasha's journey of self-discovery, her struggle for acceptance from both her family and herself, is both moving and insightful. Through stunning illustrations and compelling narrative, Fitting Indian highlights the crucial importance of open conversations about mental health and the invaluable support of a strong community. Ultimately, this book shines a necessary light on the challenges faced by many young Indian people, making it a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of identity in a multicultural world.
May 20, 2025
First, thank you to Media Masters Publicity for providing a review copy of FITTING INDIAN. It tells a powerful story.
Nitasha wishes her parents were not so strict. They want her to be the perfect Indian daughter, but they don't understand the pressures she faces at school to earn top grades and fit in with friends who are white and able to do whatever they want. Nitasha also lives in the shadow of her brother and his successful career as a doctor.
Feeling abandoned by her best friend, Nitasha has turned to alcohol and cutting to relieve the pressure. She has a crush on Henry, but he doesn't seem serious about her, plus she knows dating is frowned on in her culture. When a video of her trying to impress Henry goes viral, shame leads to Nitasha deciding suicide is the only answer.
Fortunately, her brother finds her in time, and she wakes up in the hospital. After a 72-hour psychiatric hold, Nitasha goes home to an over-vigilant mother and a father who refuses to talk to her. Talking to a therapist reveals that the Indian culture doesn't acknowledge mental health issues as worthy of discussion or even treatment in some cases. With the help of a childhood friend, Nitasha opens up and decides therapy is just what she needs.
Author Jyoti Chand uses her own personal experiences to create Nitasha. Direct, straightforward dialogue reveals the difficulties in addressing mental health issues and the problems that causes in families. The graphic novel format makes FITTING INDIAN relatable for any reader.
Nitasha wishes her parents were not so strict. They want her to be the perfect Indian daughter, but they don't understand the pressures she faces at school to earn top grades and fit in with friends who are white and able to do whatever they want. Nitasha also lives in the shadow of her brother and his successful career as a doctor.
Feeling abandoned by her best friend, Nitasha has turned to alcohol and cutting to relieve the pressure. She has a crush on Henry, but he doesn't seem serious about her, plus she knows dating is frowned on in her culture. When a video of her trying to impress Henry goes viral, shame leads to Nitasha deciding suicide is the only answer.
Fortunately, her brother finds her in time, and she wakes up in the hospital. After a 72-hour psychiatric hold, Nitasha goes home to an over-vigilant mother and a father who refuses to talk to her. Talking to a therapist reveals that the Indian culture doesn't acknowledge mental health issues as worthy of discussion or even treatment in some cases. With the help of a childhood friend, Nitasha opens up and decides therapy is just what she needs.
Author Jyoti Chand uses her own personal experiences to create Nitasha. Direct, straightforward dialogue reveals the difficulties in addressing mental health issues and the problems that causes in families. The graphic novel format makes FITTING INDIAN relatable for any reader.
December 4, 2025
WOW just wow. This a beautifully illustrated hard-hitting YA graphic novel that focuses on difficult topics much as mental health rep specific to South Asian communities, and mental health stigma in families. It also focuses a lot on relatable teen things like wanting to fit in. While the description does do a good job of preparing the reader for what the story focuses on, it can be quite shocking to see the things happen on-page.
I don't see the need to show these things on-page. I was especially perplexed when the FMD explain to another character how she attempted suicide (doing something with a household medicine that most children will have access to/be able to identify). I guess an argument could be made that anyone could Google it, but planting the idea in a teen's head would make it easier for them to enact it in real life---so I think that was a very poor decision done by the author, so that's why a star was taken off.
That being said, this is still an incredible graphic novel that I thought was super engaging the entire time (I read it during my lunch break). However, I would hesitate recommending this to teens, or anyone who struggles with self-harm.
TW: on-page self harm (cutting wrists) multiple times by FMC; on-page drug and alcohol abuse by FMC; on-page suicide attempt done by FMC.
I don't see the need to show these things on-page. I was especially perplexed when the FMD explain to another character how she attempted suicide (doing something with a household medicine that most children will have access to/be able to identify). I guess an argument could be made that anyone could Google it, but planting the idea in a teen's head would make it easier for them to enact it in real life---so I think that was a very poor decision done by the author, so that's why a star was taken off.
That being said, this is still an incredible graphic novel that I thought was super engaging the entire time (I read it during my lunch break). However, I would hesitate recommending this to teens, or anyone who struggles with self-harm.
TW: on-page self harm (cutting wrists) multiple times by FMC; on-page drug and alcohol abuse by FMC; on-page suicide attempt done by FMC.
March 3, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review. Publication date is 5/13/25.
A graphic novel has NEVER made me cry before, and I bawled at least 3 times! This is a powerful, heartfelt, and moving story of a south asian teen navigating high school and family pressure while balancing tradition and culture with self expression and individuality. Nitasha never feels American enough to feel accepted by her peers or Indian enough to feel accepted by her family or community. You watch painfully as Nitasha spirals down with lies, self-harm, smoking, and drinking. This book addresses the stigma of mental health in the Indian community, and I loved watching not only Nitasha, but her family and friends learn and grow together to better support each other. I cried both happy and sad tears while reading this book. I can't even begin to imagine how incredibly validating and uplifting this story will be to other teens struggling with similar cultural expectations and pressures. As a white woman, I won't be able to truly understand, but I am grateful for the opportunity to read stories like Nitasha's to learn more about what others may have gone through/are going through.
A graphic novel has NEVER made me cry before, and I bawled at least 3 times! This is a powerful, heartfelt, and moving story of a south asian teen navigating high school and family pressure while balancing tradition and culture with self expression and individuality. Nitasha never feels American enough to feel accepted by her peers or Indian enough to feel accepted by her family or community. You watch painfully as Nitasha spirals down with lies, self-harm, smoking, and drinking. This book addresses the stigma of mental health in the Indian community, and I loved watching not only Nitasha, but her family and friends learn and grow together to better support each other. I cried both happy and sad tears while reading this book. I can't even begin to imagine how incredibly validating and uplifting this story will be to other teens struggling with similar cultural expectations and pressures. As a white woman, I won't be able to truly understand, but I am grateful for the opportunity to read stories like Nitasha's to learn more about what others may have gone through/are going through.
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