Scan barcode
thekaylie's review against another edition
4.75
so good. such an interesting story about india’s caste system, religion, treatment of women, domestic violence. it’s humor was carefully added to enhance the serious content of the novel. loved it
mtstellens's review against another edition
5.0
One of the funniest books I have read this year. A woman, Geeta, whose husband has disappeared is roped into helping some of the women in her micro-loan group murder their husbands. Eventually she ends up being blackmailed by one of the women and she needs to produce her missing husband. Very conveniently, he shows up again and seems apologetic, having lost his vision. He quickly resumes his abuse and attempts to isolate Geeta from her newfound (and refound) friends, so she needs to become a widow again. The climax, a botched murder plot (he wasn’t blind), was funny and cathartic. So many hilarious details and characters while also dealing with some pretty serious subject matter, but unlike other attempts, this worked so well.
tayloramazing's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Campy, predictable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Murder, Rape, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Child abuse and Classism
mlg's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mimibowwow's review
dark
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
monica_k's review against another edition
dark
funny
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
nikkifrances1979's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
esjay94's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kduhy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Last year I listened to this book and the narration by Shazia Nicholls was very good. We are reading this at my Bookclub so this time I bought the book and it is as enjoyable, immersive and thought provoking as the first read.
It celebrates women's resilience and strength with much dark humour, which made me laugh out loud but also made me sit up thinking did they really say/ do that?!!
The story is set in a small rural village in India and focuses on a group of women and their friendships. Interwoven into their story is the story of a real women Phoolan Devi, who like them lived in a rural village and became known as the 'Bandit Queen' after she left an abusive marriage. To these complex and layered women she is an heroic figure.
Although this is a witty, fun read with lots of swearing, it is a book with real depth and covers many themes; caste discrimination, motherhood, domestic abuse, death, religion, patriarchy.
It celebrates women's resilience and strength with much dark humour, which made me laugh out loud but also made me sit up thinking did they really say/ do that?!!
The story is set in a small rural village in India and focuses on a group of women and their friendships. Interwoven into their story is the story of a real women Phoolan Devi, who like them lived in a rural village and became known as the 'Bandit Queen' after she left an abusive marriage. To these complex and layered women she is an heroic figure.
Although this is a witty, fun read with lots of swearing, it is a book with real depth and covers many themes; caste discrimination, motherhood, domestic abuse, death, religion, patriarchy.
thesamesky's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75