Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

13 reviews

cheye13's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

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

4.0

This was a much more nuanced take on the women-killing-men mirco-genre than I've usually seen, and the result is something unique and uniquely amusing. It's simultaneously a very broadly relatable story (alcoholism, domestic abuse, romance, loneliness), and a story very specific to this one community (the manner of gossip, the intersection of caste and religion and wealth). Obviously, a lot of focus is on how its better for women to be widows than divorced in this specific community and their wider culture.

The main element that turns the tropes of the micro-genre into something fresh is that Geeta actively wants no part in these murders. She is not the typical man-killing mentor that the trope usually calls for, which makes for a unique plot and some amusing shenanigans. At the same time, the book does not hide the pervasive and severe misogyny these women live through, but strikes a delicate balance between acknowledging these genuinely horrifying events with the persistence of daily life.

A surpsingly fun read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Death, Misogyny, and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Classism, Gore, Blood, Infertility, Gun violence, and Sexual violence

Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Body shaming, Bullying, Rape, and Death of parent

While graphic elements such as child rape and brutal killings are mentioned quite a few times, it is always brief and without detail.

meganlilyflower's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny 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

5.0

I loved the humor and pacing of this book. It kept it going and gave it so much life as we moved through a dark and often very serious subject. The story went so many places I enjoyed and was surprised by and think it was executed perfectly.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Child death

imogenrose97's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense

• 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Racism, Murder, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Rape, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Islamophobia, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Death, Animal cruelty, Addiction, Sexual harassment, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Grief, Drug use, Drug abuse, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Classism, Child abuse, and Bullying