I know the effort it takes to write a book, and I rarely give a book a review this low, but this novel just didn't cut it or live up to the description that lured me to this book. It will lead to lively discussions and perhaps that was the author’s intention. I probably wouldn’t have finished this if it wasn’t a Book Club book for me. This tried to cover too many topics, from women friendships to politics to abuse to new relationships and more but missed the depth needed to really draw me in. I usually enjoy reading books about cultures other than my own. I didn’t even find the re-establishment of the female friend group to be believable. I kept trying to be swept away but I wasn’t. I understand the attempt at dark humor to bring to the forefront abusive situations for women, but again, I didn’t find this story to be compelling, realistic or believable.

I still found most of it pretty unrealistic. I had to research about Phoolan Devi, the “Bandit Queen”, and much about the levels of the caste system in India in order to understand what the writer was trying to convey in the story. I like an author to include all I need to know in their writing in order for me to enjoy their story. What happens next sets in motion a chain of events that will change everything, not just for Geeta, but for all the women in their village.įilled with clever criminals, second chances, and wry and witty women, Parini Shroff’s The Bandit Queens is a razor-sharp debut of humor and heart that readers won’t soon forget.

With Geeta’s dangerous reputation becoming a double-edged sword, she has to find a way to protect the life she’s built-but even the best-laid plans of would-be widows tend to go awry. It’s even been good for business no one dares to not buy her jewelry.įreedom must look good on Geeta, because now other women are asking for her “expertise,” making her an unwitting consultant for husband disposal. No one messes with her, harasses her, or tries to control ( ahem, marry) her. It turns out that being known as a “self-made” widow comes with some perks. But in her remote village in India, rumor has it that Geeta killed him. As in, she actually lost him-he walked out on her and she has no idea where he is. 'A radically feel-good story about the murder of no-good husbands by a cast of unsinkable women.”- The New York Times Book Reviewįive years ago, Geeta lost her no-good husband.

A young Indian woman finds the false rumors that she killed her husband surprisingly useful-until other women in the village start asking for her help getting rid of their own husbands-in this razor-sharp debut.

The bandit queens by parini shroff