Scan barcode
kelly_e's review against another edition
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.25
Title: The Bandit Queens
Author: Parini Shroff
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: January 3, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Cinematic • Sassy • Empowering
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Geeta is believed to have killed her vanished husband – a rumour she hasn’t bothered trying to correct, because a reputation like that can keep a single woman safe in rural India. But when she’s approached for help in ridding another wife of her abusive drunk of a husband, her reluctant agreement sets in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of all the women in the village.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Initially intrigued by the premise, I added The Bandit Queens to my TBR earlier in the year. But what really encouraged me to get to this debut sooner rather than later was its inclusion on the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction longlist. And I must say this book is unlike anything else I've read.
Firstly, Parini Shroff does an extraordinary job portraying the sense of place of this small rural Indian village. The author expertly highlights the plight of women living within both the caste system and a patriarchal society. It's clear she's done her research as she details the historical context of constraints put into place in order to keep women oppressed. Additionally, she cleverly uses dark humour to really help situate the reader.
The audio narrated by Soneela Nankani is excellent. Yet because there are so many characters, I relied on tandem reading with a digital copy in order to keep track of everyone and everything. Each of the characters' stories had an important place and I really wanted everything to flow, but it's quite possible with so much going on it disrupted the pacing. It lulled from time to time, and really took me longer to get through than it normally would.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing, the characters, the cultural insight, and the humour, even though there were some kinks with the structure and pacing. This novel based on friendship and women banding together to form a community was incredibly empowering, and I'm glad it was highlighted on the longlist for the Women's Prize for Fiction. The Bandit Queens would certainly make an excellent movie.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Desperate Housewives devotees
• dark humorists
• fans of female camaraderie
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"This was the version of her who had survived and there was no sense in apologizing for being a survivor."
"The amount of bullshit that fell from that fucker’s mouth could fertilize half of India."
"He broke the contract first. When someone threatens your body, you have every right to protect yourself."
Author: Parini Shroff
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: January 3, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Cinematic • Sassy • Empowering
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Geeta is believed to have killed her vanished husband – a rumour she hasn’t bothered trying to correct, because a reputation like that can keep a single woman safe in rural India. But when she’s approached for help in ridding another wife of her abusive drunk of a husband, her reluctant agreement sets in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of all the women in the village.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Initially intrigued by the premise, I added The Bandit Queens to my TBR earlier in the year. But what really encouraged me to get to this debut sooner rather than later was its inclusion on the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction longlist. And I must say this book is unlike anything else I've read.
Firstly, Parini Shroff does an extraordinary job portraying the sense of place of this small rural Indian village. The author expertly highlights the plight of women living within both the caste system and a patriarchal society. It's clear she's done her research as she details the historical context of constraints put into place in order to keep women oppressed. Additionally, she cleverly uses dark humour to really help situate the reader.
The audio narrated by Soneela Nankani is excellent. Yet because there are so many characters, I relied on tandem reading with a digital copy in order to keep track of everyone and everything. Each of the characters' stories had an important place and I really wanted everything to flow, but it's quite possible with so much going on it disrupted the pacing. It lulled from time to time, and really took me longer to get through than it normally would.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing, the characters, the cultural insight, and the humour, even though there were some kinks with the structure and pacing. This novel based on friendship and women banding together to form a community was incredibly empowering, and I'm glad it was highlighted on the longlist for the Women's Prize for Fiction. The Bandit Queens would certainly make an excellent movie.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Desperate Housewives devotees
• dark humorists
• fans of female camaraderie
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"This was the version of her who had survived and there was no sense in apologizing for being a survivor."
"The amount of bullshit that fell from that fucker’s mouth could fertilize half of India."
"He broke the contract first. When someone threatens your body, you have every right to protect yourself."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexism, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Classism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Murder, Gun violence, Bullying, Gaslighting, Blood, Violence, Death, Animal cruelty, Police brutality, and Mental illness
Minor: Child death, Suicide, Infertility, and Infidelity
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Child death
sarah984's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
I liked this dark comedy a lot - it felt almost like a movie and there are great relationships between the women. I knocked off a star because the romance was kind of whatever to me and some aspects of the final confrontation were a bit silly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Confinement, Police brutality, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Blood, Body shaming, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Gun violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Child abuse, and Islamophobia
afi_whatafireads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Parini Shroff wrote a story that is not only entertaining, but depicts the harshness of a society that is still present until today. From the cultures of patriarchy, to the cruelties and abuse in marriages and to the predators that lived in the society.
It took me awhile to really engage with the story, and I honestly had mixed feelings with it, but I feel that the second half of the book saved the story; hence why I'm rating it 4🌟 . For a debut novel, I feel that Shroff did a good job in the sense of relaying the message to the world. Writing-wise, there were a few parts where transitions to each dialogues felt messy; which was one of the problems that I had with the book in the first place. But, I'd learnt to just accept it like reading a Bollywood Soap Opera where the women in the stories are not only extremely flawed, they are also relatable in ways that make you'll laugh at their antiques but also ; its one that felt realistic.
It took me awhile to really engage with the story, and I honestly had mixed feelings with it, but I feel that the second half of the book saved the story; hence why I'm rating it 4🌟 . For a debut novel, I feel that Shroff did a good job in the sense of relaying the message to the world. Writing-wise, there were a few parts where transitions to each dialogues felt messy; which was one of the problems that I had with the book in the first place. But, I'd learnt to just accept it like reading a Bollywood Soap Opera where the women in the stories are not only extremely flawed, they are also relatable in ways that make you'll laugh at their antiques but also ; its one that felt realistic.
"Despite his words, a question, a request, a demand bloomed in the space between them. She felt certain about the words that fell, but as an automaton, blank and mechanical. She was performing a memorized task, one born of survival, buried upon freedom, resurrected now: "You're right. I'm wrong. I'm sorry.
The Bandit Queens is actually inspired from a real person - Phoolan Devi, in which she was called the Bandit Queen herself. The author took inspirations in which the main character Geeta, looked up to Phoolan Devi, and will always ask herself - What would Phoolan Devi do in this situation . Phoolan Devi is one amongst many that represents the cruel truths of patriarchy and misogyny in India. Its not only saddening, but heartbreaking to know how she had been raped multiple times in her lifetime and beaten at every place that she ended up with.
I feel that in some ways, whilst murder cannot be justified as moral - the desperation of oneself ; in which to endure the abuse, extreme gaslighting and constant demoralisation ; had led to the extreme measures that the characters in the book had taken. Whilst the author had written the book in a way that it was witty and hilarious; the fact that they had to do what they did in the first place was just infuriating. The irony in which the author had shown in the characters - were in their ability to manipulate the situation to their benefit. Not gonna lie, most of the characters in here are pretty insufferable to say the least, but they were also endearing in a sense. I feel that each of the women in this book had a character growth and the kind of camaraderie that had been built by the same source of misery.
Another topic that the author had brought upon was the hardships of motherhood and the obsession for women to mould to society's standards to take the role only to procreate. Its not only saddening that women who didn't have the children were judged and frowned upon, its also sad that the worth of a woman is based on her ability to mother their children. Its one that reflects the world that we live in ; and how this pressure to be 'perfect' in the eyes of society that it can make women to lose their sense of worth. It was heartbreaking to read and it hurts more that its an issue that is still ongoing all around the world.
“Men like him would always look at her and see the things they were glad they weren’t: weak, small, timid, powerless. Let the”
Overall, whilst it took me a bit of time to warm up with the story; and I had mixed feelings for it at some parts, I'd have to say, I enjoyed the forward tone that the author wrote the story. Its entertaining at best, but the issues are forwardly written that it can't be missed. It might put some stereotype to the country itself, as the story is set in India, but I feel that, where each part of women who can relates to the story, no matter where you are, I hope that it can serve as something that can make you be stronger. For ones who relate to Geetha, I pray for your well-being and my happiness comes your way.
Def a solid read as a longlist for the 2023's Women Prize.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Addiction, Abandonment, Child abuse, Hate crime, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Murder
oceanwriter's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Full disclosure, I have no knowledge of the real-life aspects of this story portrayed in this book. I think if it was something I was well-versed in I might have enjoyed it a bit more. The things I didn't like about the book are a total preference thing as opposed to the book itself.
I wasn't sure what I was getting into but I was drawn to the cover and the summary given had me hooked. While the book lived up to it, I just had a really difficult time getting into it. It's a more aggressive plot than I like, which again, is something I might have realized if I'd known the origins of the story. It was definitely interesting. I'd be curious to look into the history more before looking through a fictional lens.
Aside from the plot, I wasn't a fan of the writing style. The dialogue flowed nicely, however, the amount of italicized words became a major distraction for me. The emphasis ended up getting lost. I didn't mind it so much when explaining new words and culture but in the regular flow of things, it became irksome.
I'm glad I gave it a go. I can see it becoming a popular book upon its release. I certainly learned something and was able to immerse myself in another culture for a little while which is always enjoyable.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballentine Books/Random House for providing me with a free ARC copy to read and review.
I wasn't sure what I was getting into but I was drawn to the cover and the summary given had me hooked. While the book lived up to it, I just had a really difficult time getting into it. It's a more aggressive plot than I like, which again, is something I might have realized if I'd known the origins of the story. It was definitely interesting. I'd be curious to look into the history more before looking through a fictional lens.
Aside from the plot, I wasn't a fan of the writing style. The dialogue flowed nicely, however, the amount of italicized words became a major distraction for me. The emphasis ended up getting lost. I didn't mind it so much when explaining new words and culture but in the regular flow of things, it became irksome.
I'm glad I gave it a go. I can see it becoming a popular book upon its release. I certainly learned something and was able to immerse myself in another culture for a little while which is always enjoyable.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballentine Books/Random House for providing me with a free ARC copy to read and review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcohol and Misogyny
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, and Miscarriage
starklinqs's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A very good, fun (well, as fun as you can get with the subject matter at least) book! I loved the main character - even if I was sometimes screaming at her, because as amazing as she is, she could NOT lie to save her life - though I love that too - I adored her but she wasn't perfect at everything. She just felt real and in an insane situation(s). I appreciated all the women who showed up in this story - they all had such fantastic ranges, and we got to see the good and the bad with them. This book definitely has an air of comedy to it, but the themes that it explores - caste discrimination, abuse, rape, etc. - are serious and touched on a lot and given the importance that they deserve in my opinion. If I have one criticism of this, it's that it felt ever slightly too long, and I think that a few pages could have been trimmed, but I loved this book and I was excited to finish it!
A very good, fun (well, as fun as you can get with the subject matter at least) book! I loved the main character - even if I was sometimes screaming at her, because as amazing as she is, she could NOT lie to save her life - though I love that too - I adored her but she wasn't perfect at everything. She just felt real and in an insane situation(s). I appreciated all the women who showed up in this story - they all had such fantastic ranges, and we got to see the good and the bad with them. This book definitely has an air of comedy to it, but the themes that it explores - caste discrimination, abuse, rape, etc. - are serious and touched on a lot and given the importance that they deserve in my opinion. If I have one criticism of this, it's that it felt ever slightly too long, and I think that a few pages could have been trimmed, but I loved this book and I was excited to finish it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Alcoholism
Minor: Violence, Child death, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Miscarriage
More...