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Reviews tagging 'Murder'
Geheime Geschichten für Frauen, die Saris tragen by Balli Kaur Jaswal
99 reviews
turophile's review against another edition
challenging
funny
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? It's complicated
4.25
Though not without flaws, I really enjoyed and highly recommend this book. Our heroine, Nikki, is the oldest daughter in a Sikh family living in London. She’s disappointed her family by dropping out of law school and working at a bar. She’s even convinced that disappointment caused her father’s heart attack. Nikki’s disappointed with her sister Mindi who was an arranged marriage, or at least a marriage with someone closely tied to their culture and religion. With some reluctance, Nikki agrees to go pin Mindi’s personal add up in Southall, a part of London where a large population of Indian Sikh live and maintain their culture.
There she meets a man and spots a want add that both catch her eye. The ad seeks a teacher for a literary course. She’s hired but soon discovers the Punjabi widows who have signed up for her course were really looking for a literacy course, not literary. Most can not read, but boy do they have stories to tell.
They all start creating erotic romantic tales based on their lived experiences, or what they wish they had experienced. One of the class members, a younger widow, agrees to help transcribe the stories.
This journey alone would have been enough for a book, but there’s much more in a tale that really explores a woman’s role in the Punjabi diaspora. There’s a few mysteries, som nastiness, cultural sexism, and so beautifully crafted stories within the stories.
I really enjoyed the book, BUT I thought it was trying to do much, especially at the end. It’s hard to describe without spoiling, but a couple of the storylines just went crazy sauce. I think the book would have been a little better if the author would have stayed a little more focused.
Still loved it however and highly recommend. 4.25/5
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, and Murder
izbizedgerton's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I really liked this book!!! I loved how it’s not really that hot- mostly just about sisterhood and expressing your sexuality as a woman. It was lighthearted, silly, and the ending was very feel-good. My only hang up was how did Nikki gain respect as a teacher and what teaching was she actually doing??? Seemed like she was there learning and honestly Sheena was the real teacher. I liked the threads of community gossip that culminated to a bigger plot line. I couldn’t predict it either, which I always love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
litbrett's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder
carireadsbooksandtarot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.0
Inspiring and touching story of a young British-Indian woman leading a class of widows who enjoy writing erotic stories. She is drawn into the mystery surrounding the deaths of two young women. I really enjoyed the story and learning about Indian culture in London. The characters were well drawn and realistic. I was surprised by the darker elements but they definitely added to the story and kept me engaged. Good mix of light and dark.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
eleanor_hirst10's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
lightbulblibrary_'s review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
indiarose8's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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
3.75
Overall I enjoyed this book but parts of the plot were a bit unbelievable. The second storyline about Maya felt dropped in. I wish the writer would have just focused on the widows. I wanted to get to know them more. The writing felt a bit clunky at times but the erotic stories were beautifully written. I loved the premise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Racism and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
coolbeans995's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
I thought this book was a wonderful mix of humor, mystery, and heart. As someone with no knowledge of the London Punjabi community, it felt like an appropriate and insightful look into the culture and challenges. I will return to this book in the future for sure.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide and Murder
m_paquette's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
This book was inspiring and gratifying. It covered important issues and demonstrated the strength of women and the power they have when they overcome oppression. The message from this book is one that will stick with me and I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a book focused on women's rights, justice, and, of course, some erotica.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
maxandrambo's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Murder