Reviews

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

taylordiana21's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

the_grey_librarian's review against another edition

5.0

“This book has something for everyone! It’s a mystery, a romance, a family drama…and yes, it’s

alekei's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

katielovesbooks134's review against another edition

4.0

The erotic stories are certainly... ermmm... erotic... but that is only one layer of this wonderfully written book. I really enjoyed it.

cecesher's review against another edition

3.0

Errmmmmm....okay.... though the title claims erotic stories, I imagined this was going to be a play on words. Nope, definitely erotic stories included, though the background to a lovely story about community.

jess_lovesreading's review against another edition

Thought I’d enjoy initially and I think I did but didn’t realise we’d have to listen to the erotic stories. Not really interested in that. 

shanenigans's review against another edition

funny inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

mackenziekral's review against another edition

DNF - I really was enjoying this. One of the few DNFs that I would consider trying again in the future.

christinenina's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

There were some really good elements to this novel - it's well-written, for sure, and the audiobook was an excellent way to enjoy the characters and their spicy stories. I didn't love the darker plot turn, and even though I was enjoying the story, I somehow had to force myself to start listening to it each time I was selecting what to listen to (but then would happily be in the world of Southhall with Nicki and the widows for ages). I'm glad I made it to the end, but it felt like a long journey.

sarah_tollok's review against another edition

4.0

A writer myself, I am often sad that I don't have a group of writing peers to meet up and collaborate with. Now I am doubly sad that I will never get to write with the wonderful group of bibis from the writing group portrayed in this book. At first, I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to keep all the widows straight in my head. Admittedly, this was partly due to the unfamiliar Punjabi names that my internal dialog struggled with. But before long I was able to distinguish each of their personalities from one another and they became clearer to me as individuals.

Nikki was hard for me to get to know at first, but for different reasons. In retrospect, it was because she was unsure of herself and her place in the world. As Nikki's path and purpose became clearer to her, and as Nikki's confidence grew, she became more real and engaging to me as a reader as well.

I loved the overall theme of self expression and owning one's life story. The fact that this was done through the sharing of sexual fantasies by older women made it even better. And did I mention that the stories were quite good? They were, umm, *cough cough*, VERY good.

Side note: I love when a book tells you a character's favorite book. Now I need to go out and find myself some Beatrix Potter, preferably a copy with a tea stain in the corner.