Reviews

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

shermreads's review against another edition

3.0

It's a hard thing to admit that your expectations for a book might've been a bit too high, especially when you know that what you had projected it was more of a condemnation of yourself. Coming off the heels of Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing, I found myself craving a literary-historical legacy that I could relate to – one that represented my social reality, my historical ancestry and my family, in the hopes that I could finally see myself. As a Punjabi girl living in Singapore, generations deep into diasporic life, I hoped that I would see that in Balli Kaur Jaswal's work.

Instead, what I got were character tropes, used (somewhat redundantly) plot devices, and a narrative that is both overly simplistic and unnecessarily complex at the same time. I did appreciate how the same culture can manifest differently across different generations and socio-economic classes though! In particular, I appreciate the way the character of Nikki struggled with this part of her identity, the way it manifested in a soft-spot for homemade cha, and her eventual reckoning and return. That being said, that was about all that I appreciated in the character of Nikki, who uses 'being feminist' as an excuse for acting selfishly and hurting those around her.

Many complex feelings but I'd love to hear more recommendations for female Punjabi authors if anyone has any!

gnomegrl06's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious 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

4.75

liakeller's review against another edition

3.0

Enjoyable- I liked the peek into Indian culture. Interesting characters. Well written.

mitzirox's review against another edition

emotional funny

4.75

britlovestoread's review against another edition

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? N/A

I really enjoyed this!

kirakira16's review against another edition

5.0

This book was just so fun to read, I truly enjoyed every minute of it.

bardo's review against another edition

4.0

4.4: This is not a usual read for me and it did take me little while to get into it at the start. But once the widows start to create stories and their lives start to be shown it was hard to put the book down. Appreciated the diverse voice in regards to sexuality and culture rules.

jigglydelight's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I liked this book more than I thought I would based on the slow start. I had a hard time reaching the flow-state with this book. 

Though I rarely say this, this book needed to be longer. I liked the multiple plotlines it was juggling, I think it just needed more time to flesh out. Half the time it felt like the plot was created just as an excuse to post the short stories the women made.  Otherwise this was a lovely story about the differences in generations within immigrant families and encouraging women to find their voice. 

Also, if you are uncomfortable with erotic stories, they are clearly marked so you can just skip them and read for the plot. And apparently the only books I read this year have parent deaths, so tw if you are grieving. 

laurenisallbooked's review against another edition

4.0

4.5
Charming, witty and definitely erotic. This is chick lit with a brain, and I loved the things it had to say.

themildone's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

3.5