Scan barcode
bookishevy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Friends, I intended to travel to Puerto Rico through the #readtheworld challenge, but since it's Asian American Pacific Islander Month, I decided to travel to a remote village in India, where we meet Geeta, a woman whose abusive husband disappeared five years ago, and no matter how much she denies it, villagers believe she killed and disposed of him. Now that she has a reputation for getting rid of her abusive man, other women in the village are coming to her for help eliminating their own no-good husbands. Hilarity ensues.
This is the funniest book I've read this year so far. Chapter 14 alone deserves an award. The back and forth between Geeta, her ex-bestfriend Saloni, and twins Preity and Priya as they try to convince Geeta to kill yet another brute is comedy gold. That this coversation is taking place during Karwa Chauth, when Hindu women fast and pray for their men's longevity, makes it even funnier.
All jokes aside, this is messed up. These women are stuck in their abusive marriages. Throughout the story, there are examples of how village customs do not favor women. Villagers turn a blind eye to obvious signs of abuse because "that's marriage." Divorce is out of the question, so murder is the obvious option.
Other themes explored are casteism, particularly how poorly Dalits are treated, the isolation women endure while in abusive relationships and when they become widows, and "the joys of motherhood," which Geeta is not buying when her friends try to make her feel like she's missing out on something by not having children. I love how Shroff weaves Indian lore into the story to show how men create narratives to paint women unfavorably so that they can continue to put up with their bullshit. The underlying message is how platonic love should be nurtured as much as romantic love, if not more. Underneath all the secrets, lies, blackmail and extortion, these women have one another's backs.
I can't recommend this read enough.
Graphic: Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Rape, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Xenophobia and Sexism
danajoy's review against another edition
Graphic: Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Racism, Murder, Rape, and Sexism
Moderate: Child death and Child abuse
dewo0019's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Fatphobia, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Bullying, Physical abuse, Murder, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Classism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, and Rape
baielleebooks's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Rape
Minor: Child abuse
nightsparks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Rape, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Body shaming, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Gun violence, and Sexual harassment
mondovertigo's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Infertility, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Murder, Domestic abuse, Classism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Gun violence, Animal cruelty, and Child abuse
marissas_reads's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse
thetearex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Mental illness, Rape, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Infertility, Islamophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Violence
rainieschulte's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Child abuse and Animal cruelty
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
spookyaz's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Rape, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Body shaming, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Alcoholism