Reviews

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

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jotee76's review against another edition

dark funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I liked that issues relating to the caste system were highlighted as well as honour based violence and treatment of women in India. However, I get a sense that the author was writing this with view to being made into a film, with elements of the narrative becoming farcical, bordering on slapstick, which was a bit distracting. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Content Warnings

forlorn_traveller's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

r2sivaku's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

simk_98's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

sararose_cozy's review against another edition

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4.0

What a story.
Dark and humorous! Loved the dialogue and the relationships between the characters. You don’t really know who the real “bad guy” is until the end.
I didn’t know much about some of India’s culture before reading this, so a lot was new information and educational. To that extent, it does paint a pretty terrible picture of India which I agree with another reader and reviewer, that it is almost unfair. I’m sure there are other positive aspects of India which we hardly get to see in this book apart from found sisterhood and women supporting women. Of course this book does speak critically of these tough topics: animal abuse, the patriarchy, sexual assault against women and children, rivalries between religions and societal castes. Despite the critique on these subjects, it is a hard read which lessened my enjoyment, tbh.
If this was the only thing I ever heard or read about India, I would never go there (and honestly, after reading this, I don’t think I want to now). I hope to read more about it, though.