The Bandit Queens

No cover — Parini Shroff: The Bandit Queens (2023, Random House Publishing Group)

English language

Published Dec. 5, 2023 by Random House Publishing Group.

ISBN:: 978-0-593-49895-8

(1 review)

"Five years ago, Geeta lost her no-good husband. As in, she actually lost him—he walked out on her and she has no idea where he is. But in her remote village in India, rumor has it that Geeta killed him. And it’s a rumor that just won’t die.

It turns out that being known as a “self-made” widow comes with some perks. No one messes with her, harasses her, or tries to control (ahem, marry) her. It’s even been good for business; no one dares to not buy her jewelry.

Freedom must look good on Geeta, because now other women are asking for her“expertise,” making her an unwitting consultant for husband disposal.

And not all of them are asking nicely.

With Geeta’s dangerous reputation becoming a double-edged sword, she has to find a way to protect the life she’s built—but even the best-laid plans of would-be widows tend to go …

"Five years ago, Geeta lost her no-good husband. As in, she actually lost him—he walked out on her and she has no idea where he is. But in her remote village in India, rumor has it that Geeta killed him. And it’s a rumor that just won’t die.

It turns out that being known as a “self-made” widow comes with some perks. No one messes with her, harasses her, or tries to control (ahem, marry) her. It’s even been good for business; no one dares to not buy her jewelry.

Freedom must look good on Geeta, because now other women are asking for her“expertise,” making her an unwitting consultant for husband disposal.

And not all of them are asking nicely.

With Geeta’s dangerous reputation becoming a double-edged sword, she has to find a way to protect the life she’s built—but even the best-laid plans of would-be widows tend to go awry. What happens next sets in motion a chain of events that will change everything, not just for Geeta, but for all the women in their village. "

3 editions

Sally Strange reviewed Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Hilarious and serious as a heart attack (likely due to poison)

5 stars

I read books because they take me to other times and places, and boy this book delivers on that. The perspective of a middle-aged widow living in a Gujarati village on religion, caste, sexism, domestic violence, even cruelty to animals, will be unforgettable. It helped me that I have visited India, including Gujarat, and know some of the Hindi and Gujarati words included in the text. If these words aren't familiar to you, don't let it throw you off. Look them up or at least just stick with it. The story is only slightly improbable, the writing has a unique and sassy style, and the denouement is a satisfying comment on the value of sisterhood, which transcends sectarianism, caste, and class, over that of abusive husbands.