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A review by blessing_aj
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.5
This melodramatic satire left a bittersweet impression behind. Whilst I’m not a fan of overtly proselytizing in books, I found that I didn’t mind it so much in this book. Not when it’s unapologetically feminist and interrogates the roots of the caste system in traditional Indian society.
Some of the plot twist genuinely surprised me, sometimes in a good way and other times not. But it was Geeta’s character arc that irked me the most. For a character that is so intelligent, self aware and capable, I found that I was baffled by a lot of her actions.
Overall, I liked that this book at its heart is a celebration of female friendship and camaraderie. I also liked that the women in this book took Karma personally and stayed true to their cause, yet I wish it hadn’t been told in so melodramatic because I can’t take it as seriously I would have loved to.
Some of the plot twist genuinely surprised me, sometimes in a good way and other times not. But it was Geeta’s character arc that irked me the most. For a character that is so intelligent, self aware and capable, I found that I was baffled by a lot of her actions.
Overall, I liked that this book at its heart is a celebration of female friendship and camaraderie. I also liked that the women in this book took Karma personally and stayed true to their cause, yet I wish it hadn’t been told in so melodramatic because I can’t take it as seriously I would have loved to.