Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

117 reviews

boxofcats's review against another edition

challenging dark funny inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.75

An fantastic story that completely immersed me in a culture I'm not very familiar with, while also highlighting incredibly important social issues. Dark humour on almost every page, strong women moving through complex relationships with themselves and each other - and most importantly learning to take no shit from the men that want to keep them in their place. 

4.75 ⭐ as I feel the narration lacked a bit of enthusiasm at times but would still recommend it. Looking forward to future work from Parini Shroff!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence

jtpgdavey's review against another edition

dark funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Grief, Addiction, and Gun violence

rashmig's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

First and foremost, what struck me was the way it captures the complexity of female friendships. Geeta and Saloni, our central characters, have a childhood friendship that’s evolved into something different in adulthood. This dynamic is intriguingly contrasted with Geeta’s relationships with her other women friends, like Farah, Priya, Preeti, and Khushi. The vulnerability that Geeta can share with Saloni is unique and heartwarming, but she fulfills other needs with her adult friendships that bring their own special qualities.

Now, let’s talk about the women in this story and their independent working lives. The book beautifully portrays the way they navigate their careers, sharing experiences and providing support. What’s even more striking is how it delves into the shared traumatic experiences these women endure. The author’s writing truly hits home when it showcases these experiences as an unfortunate reality, highlighting societal issues like acid attacks, domestic abuse, and gender power imbalances.

I also want to mention the heartwarming snippets of the bond between Geeta and Bandit, her dog. Their relationship adds depth and warmth to the story, with Geeta being fiercely protective of her furry companion.

Throughout the novel, we see these women striving to live their lives on their own terms, but they face numerous challenges imposed by society or their circumstances. Geeta’s experience as a single woman with a complicated marital past and Saloni’s juggling act between family, work, and a seat in the village’s senate are just a few examples. The way they support each other through these struggles is a testament to the strength of female bonds.

Now, let’s touch on the theme of male entitlement and the prevalence of abusive behavior. The book doesn’t shy away from portraying the harsh reality that many women face, where most men are perpetrators of emotional, physical, mental, and sexual abuse. However, the story also highlights a few exceptions like Kareem and Sarah, who treat women with respect and empathy.

The novel briefly delves into the issue of caste, which might feel a bit tangential at first, but it soon merges seamlessly with the broader theme of women’s issues, offering a layered perspective on societal challenges.

Despite the heavy themes, Parini Shroff manages to infuse humor into her storytelling, making the book a breeze to read. I found myself chuckling in various places, and the climax of the novel even features some dark comedy at its finest.

In conclusion, “Bandit Queens” is a thought-provoking and brilliantly written book that seamlessly weaves together themes of female friendship, independent working women, vulnerability, shared trauma, humor, and societal challenges. It’s an impressive debut work from Parini Shroff that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking a compelling and impactful read. So, add it to your reading list—you won’t be disappointed!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Murder

Minor: Animal cruelty, Alcohol, and Blood

kirstinlwx's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny inspiring 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? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Physical abuse, Racism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Gun violence, Infertility, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Classism, Body shaming, and Cursing

apple_atcha_reading's review against another edition

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape, Animal cruelty, Classism, and Sexual assault

danielle_sips_tea's review against another edition

dark funny hopeful mysterious 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Murder, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Animal cruelty

Minor: Bullying, Suicide, Gun violence, Body shaming, and Fatphobia

runefactories's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Bullying and Animal cruelty

schnaucl's review

adventurous dark emotional sad 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

4.5

This was a well told story about a woman whose husband left her but the village thinks she murdered him. Consequently she's been socially isolated.  But then women trapped in their own abusive marriages come to her for advice on getting rid of their husbands.  

The characters were compelling and the setting vivid.   

Shroff does a good job of showing how abusers work, systematically isolating people from their support network. 

And how easy it is to fall back into old patterns without realizing it.  She also does a good job showing how things can be self reinforcing.   Geeta is socially isolated by the villagers at first but reinforces it herself in later years.  Patterns of all kinds are hard to break.

I could have done without the focus on a Solani's weight at the beginning and throughout though.

She also does a good job showing that when people want to play savior, the consequences of trying to change the system often fall on the very people they're trying to save.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Murder, Misogyny, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, and Violence

Minor: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infertility, Rape, and Religious bigotry

tashtasher's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Death, Rape, Religious bigotry, Violence, Alcohol, Infertility, Murder, and Sexism

Moderate: Classism, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Islamophobia, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Animal cruelty, Grief, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual assault, Infertility, and Infidelity

Minor: Cancer, Excrement, Vomit, Miscarriage, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

wordlessthings's review against another edition

was expecting #girlgang and humour, but this is just so depressing. everyone's husband is physically and emotionally abusive, no woman anywhere is safe, and i just found myself thinking, even if they kill any of these men, it'll never be better for these women.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Animal cruelty