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A review by julia_stark
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
dark
funny
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
4.0
TW: domestic abuse
Murder may be wrong, but sometimes it's necessary...
With a narrative focus on absurdity and humour in a story about committing murder (or not) and getting away with it, The Bandit Queens has a diverse range of characters with individual motives and a final message of women supporting women.
After her abusive husband 'disappeared' 5 years ago, Geeta has been ostracized by her rural village in India, who are convinced she murdered him and will come for the villagers next as a folklore 'churel'. Geeta welcomes the isolation and focuses on her goal of saving for a fridge, a sign of luxury in her village, and tells herself she's happy being left alone - that is until her neighbour Farah asks for her help to get rid of her abusive husband too. After all, it's not the first time Geeta's murdered someone...right?
Before she can think twice, Geeta has been drawn into the murders of several husbands, resulting in the freedom of their wives (Farah and Preity), and suddenly finds herself socialising more than she'd like, with a childhood friend-to enemy-to tentative friend again, Saloni, a soft tempered man who makes her laugh, Karem, and surprisingly a dog, Bandit.
With each new wife's request that they get rid of their husbands, Geeta must play up to the other women's expectations that she is an experienced murderess - except she didn't kill her husband, and she waits in fear for his return.
While slow to get into the real plot-drive and a few detours that seemed unnecessary at first, the diversity of characters and how their histories link together made each person interesting and fun to read, showing they have ambitions in their lives that aren't wrapped solely around them being parents, a topic very prevalent in the book of parenthood being the ultimate goal in life and to be childless is to be unfulfilled.
The book also creates conversation around the caste system and how even the nicest, most hard-working and generous people won't be welcomed by the village simply because of their religion, upbringing, or occupation - a sentiment echoed in every culture around the world, but with different treatment of those 'lower' than.
The different characterisations of each woman was fascinating and really hit home that just because women believe they should support each other in a patriarchal society it doesn't mean they won't throw each under a bus to protect themselves first. Ultimately, they're all girl's girls, albeit some more reluctantly than others.
A fun read with lots of character development (including a devastating chapter of regression until they see the truth), The Bandit Queens is definitely worth reading.
Murder may be wrong, but sometimes it's necessary...
With a narrative focus on absurdity and humour in a story about committing murder (or not) and getting away with it, The Bandit Queens has a diverse range of characters with individual motives and a final message of women supporting women.
After her abusive husband 'disappeared' 5 years ago, Geeta has been ostracized by her rural village in India, who are convinced she murdered him and will come for the villagers next as a folklore 'churel'. Geeta welcomes the isolation and focuses on her goal of saving for a fridge, a sign of luxury in her village, and tells herself she's happy being left alone - that is until her neighbour Farah asks for her help to get rid of her abusive husband too. After all, it's not the first time Geeta's murdered someone...right?
Before she can think twice, Geeta has been drawn into the murders of several husbands, resulting in the freedom of their wives (Farah and Preity), and suddenly finds herself socialising more than she'd like, with a childhood friend-to enemy-to tentative friend again, Saloni, a soft tempered man who makes her laugh, Karem, and surprisingly a dog, Bandit.
With each new wife's request that they get rid of their husbands, Geeta must play up to the other women's expectations that she is an experienced murderess - except she didn't kill her husband, and she waits in fear for his return.
While slow to get into the real plot-drive and a few detours that seemed unnecessary at first, the diversity of characters and how their histories link together made each person interesting and fun to read, showing they have ambitions in their lives that aren't wrapped solely around them being parents, a topic very prevalent in the book of parenthood being the ultimate goal in life and to be childless is to be unfulfilled.
The book also creates conversation around the caste system and how even the nicest, most hard-working and generous people won't be welcomed by the village simply because of their religion, upbringing, or occupation - a sentiment echoed in every culture around the world, but with different treatment of those 'lower' than.
The different characterisations of each woman was fascinating and really hit home that just because women believe they should support each other in a patriarchal society it doesn't mean they won't throw each under a bus to protect themselves first. Ultimately, they're all girl's girls, albeit some more reluctantly than others.
A fun read with lots of character development (including a devastating chapter of regression until they see the truth), The Bandit Queens is definitely worth reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty