Reviews with content warning for Blood - The Bandit Queens

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The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

51 reviews

victoriafrombookclub's review

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dark funny fast-paced

3.75

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just_one_more_paige's review

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dark funny tense 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

4.0

There's very little about a book blurb along the lines of "a group of women secretly helping each other kill off their terrible husbands" that doesn't appeal to me. I mean, I don't usually go for thrillers, but that description led me to believe it wouldn't be the traditional "keeps me awake at night" kind of intense that usually makes me steer clear of the genre. So, here we are.

Five years ago, Geeta's husband disappeared. Rumors abound that she killed him, despite all Geeta's assurances to the contrary. Sometimes, those rumors are convenient...people tend to leave her alone, no one threatening or attempting to control her. And it seems that other women have noticed. When a woman in Geeta's micro-loan group approaches her and asks for help getting rid of her own husband, Geeta finds herself helping (against her better judgement and intentions). And things escalate from there, until Geeta finds herself as both legitimate accomplice and murderer, embroiled in the middle of an illegal liquor business/local gangster fiasco, facing the surprise return of a perhaps-not-as-contrite-as-he-acts husband, and fighting to protect the life of freedom that she worked so hard to build.

This book brings it, from the beginning, with the drama and the gossip (small town/village vibes, I see you) and the heavy sarcasm about being a woman, a wife, and the “joys of motherhood.” I really cannot count the number of times that I snort-laughed at it all. It's all quite salacious. And that feeds so smoothly into the first requests that Geeta receives from fellow women, asking for help removing their own no-good husbands from their lives. It's funny and ridiculous and entertaining until...it's not quite, anymore. And the thing is, I can't tell as what point that is, or when the turn happens exactly, but at some point, the hilarity of "bad husbands" turns into very real bad husbands, those who physically and emotionally abuse their wives, rape other women, sexually abuse children, and more. And the juxtaposition was pretty jarring for me. While I understand conceptually dark/gallows humor, and have loved books with it before, the way this novel develops, I found myself feeling kind of guilty for finding some of the drama/interactions funny, in the context of those types of abuse/transgressions. It's a fine line to be walked, and I think that that discomfort means Shroff might have actually walked it really well. But still, it wasn't always a comfortable reading experience as I tried to parse and justify my emotional responses. (Reading the Author's Note afterwards did give me a bit of clarity and grace, on that front, which I do want to mention, for transparency.)

Similarly, somewhere in the first half, I made this note while reading: "It feels fairly surface level, but there is an interrogation of caste and gender and the intersectionality of those as justifications for mistreatment (in this case primarily violence against women) that is an important one to recognize and call out." And it began in that surface level way, for sure. But again, as the novel progressed, that exploration got deeper and a bit more nuanced, though considering the type of story being told, with a little bit of satire and a heavy grounding in the exaggerated drama of this women's group, it was limited in the extent to which it could reach. (Similar to above, there was some insight into Shroff's goals on this front in the Author's Note at the end as well - ones that are thematically in line with some of the intent in The Immortal King Rao, though the genres are quite different). Though I will say, it was quite satisfying to me as a reader, if not an actual fix, to see these “invisible" women - these mothers and wives - use that invisibility to their advantage in getting away with murder (as it were, lolz).

I definitely want to point out a few content warnings. Obviously the violence against women (sexual, physical, emotional, verbal...all of it really) was intense and pervasive. The cycle of abusive relationships - interpersonally and as wrapped up with social standards and expectations - was central to the plot. It was fully and fairly examined, but it was ubiquitous and readers should be aware of that. And there was quite a bit of fat shaming throughout as well. Perhaps that's culturally accurate, but it was still a lot.

Shroff created something really unique here. She presents the danger in questioning masculinity, and the belittling of woman that goes hand-in-hand with that, with an unflinching gaze. At the same time, she declares, in no uncertain terms, that what a person does to survive, and what surviving makes them into, is never something to apologize for. And that's a message I can get behind wholeheartedly. So, basically... This was the strangest mix of hilarity - humorous blackmailing and extortion and murder planning and bumbling gangsters - and very important social messaging and awareness on some heavy AF topics. I both appreciated the entertainment and the complexity of the relationships the women had with each other (which were allowed to be supportive and ugly/flawed in equal, and realistic, turns) and was conflicted by it all. A very singular reading experience.

“Her grapes, whether sour or fair, were her grapes.”

“Bystanders shoulder their own blame.”

“But I think that she was capable of anything because everything had already happened to her. [...] She was fearless because she'd already suffered what the rest of us live in fear of.”

“…just another example of women living within the spaces that others defined.”

“It wasn’t [...] so much that women loved their husbands and couldn't live without them. It was that the outside world made life without them utter shit; you needed a man in the house in order to be left in peace. They didn't really do much, but their simple pulse was a form of protection. Like pimps.”

"We're happy to be accessories. Like jewelry, but way more dangerous..."

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xread_write_repeatx's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

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rashmig's review

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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!

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kirstinlwx's review against another edition

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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

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bugaboobear's review against another edition

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dark funny fast-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

4.5

I loved the interactions between the women and the way the relationships were portrayed. No one was perfect, they were all flawed and interesting. The story was interesting, but less so than the setting and characters.

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schnaucl's review against another edition

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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.

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szraj16's review

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dark funny medium-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a really solid 4.5 for me! I absolutely loved it, it was dark, humorous, and really entertaining. The way the author was able to intertwine humor with really important (and horrible) societal problems and some really dark moments, while never making light of them, was really well done. I’ll also note that the vocabulary used in this book is 10/10 and I’m so thankful for the dictionary function on my kindle.

The only reason this was not a 5 for me was because I felt like I pieced together the many clues sprinkled in throughout a little more easily than I would’ve liked. It’s not that it was predictable, but maybe it’s just that a little too much was given away if you’re paying attention to the details, in a way that makes a couple moments later on a little less impactful and surprising.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Stories about India will always peak my interest and I’m so happy I read this one. Highly recommend for a murder/thriller book that touches on some really deep topics, and yet somehow stays fun and lighthearted.

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sedgewren's review against another edition

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dark funny tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I loved this book — it was an absolute romp! It had a rambunctious cast of characters, a tight and brilliant plot, a light-hearted and genuinely funny tone that balanced a critique of patriarchy, sexism, the caste system, lookism, religion, aid in India, the idea of a sisterhood, and empowerment. It's the kind of book that I wish I could write.

(very mild spoilers ahead)

The characters were ingenious, compelling and vibrant; I loved reading it from Geeta's perspective despite (although this truly added to her believability) her frustrating moments and unreliable narrator-ness (but don't we all rewrite the past to turn ourselves into the main protagonist of our own narrative?)

tl;dr: READ THIS BOOK (read the content warnings first, to make sure it's right for you of course!)

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regardsrachel's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-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

4.25

I am a white person living in the United States reading this book and engaging with the material therefore I am engaging with the story from my particular perspective and perception. I knew through religion and social studies classes, readings and so on that caste is a complicated and nuanced system and can be even more specific when it comes to where it's happening and how it's practiced. Also, I think I had a better experience or was able to at least couch this story in a complicated multi-faceted context because I had listened to a podcast episode about Phoolan Devi. I already knew her story and the aspects that show just how dark patriarchal violence and misogyny can get. I feel that I was coming into the story with a bit of a leg up or in a helpful mindset because I had already had that for knowledge. I think I gained more from the story with that for knowledge and therefore I could more immerse myself in the journey that Geeta was having in regards to her actions and her emulation of Phoolan Devi but also where she still had concerns or was wrestling with how to be herself but also protect herself in the way Phoolan Devi did. I am not critiquing accuracy in the story, I am explaining my engagement with the book due to the knowledge I had before reading.

Frankly, I thought the societal norms and rules were done well in the fact that yes there are these rules or yes these are the societal norms in which these characters are living however individuals will have their own relationship with those societal norms and communities will have their own unique relationship within these societal norms. I felt that the story captured that instead of making it a widespread condemnation of society in the book.

The women felt like different types of women with their own distinctive motives and then also were complicated entities that were not villains but still monstrous.

The conflict made sense and was never in doubt. I enjoyed the story and the end landed for me. Which was quite a few considering all the pieces that had to be put together in the end.If anything the story displayed the layers and nuances of the conflicts really well. rape murder Justice in society are hard topics attack to tackle while keeping the plots/story nimble and moving forward. Also, I felt dread throughout reading it almost like a wait for it or a strain on my chest. I think I knew something was amiss throughout the book in regards to various aspects of the plot and the way that the stakes were explained in the story also added to the constant tension in the book.

If there were aspects of the story that seemed illogical or at least their descriptions were surface level I did not care because I was having a good time. I thought travel and the homes being the key settings make sense. This is a village that is cut off from urban areas by distance. However the way technology reduces that distance be a TV television and radio was also included in the text which helped bring depth and uniqueness to the setting. I also thought The considerations that the characters had also added to the setting in that this is an area where it seemed public bathrooms were not readily available.

The dialogue with other characters brought a comedy to the story. The dialogue in the book and how big of a difference it is in regards to phrases and conversation styles I felt was on purpose. She wanted this contrast of language and dialogue to be part of the story. I'm not exactly sure of the reason, at least for me what I think it did is it did not bother the characters in a way that I think sometimes these types of stories and when told make it sound like this story and these characters are on another planet instead of on planet Earth. The change in language pulled me in as a reader emotionally that I did not expect.

I'm a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure about the premise as the dark themes can sometimes way down the story and in a way can use the triggering nature of them to hold together the story. But Bandit Queens didn't do that. The relationships of the women are the focal point and they're struggles relating to Phoolan Devi. The relationship or the comparison that's supposed to be made between Gita and Saloni and the others in regards to the story and myth of Phoolan Devi is navigated and discussed throughout the story without a final answer but at least an answer that these characters could continue to live in.

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