Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

85 reviews

paperbacksandvinyl's review against another edition

challenging dark funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Man, oh man, I have a lot of complex feelings about this book, and I think I felt every single emotion while I read it. It is a lovely show of sistership and a heartbreaking glimpse into womanhood. The differences and similarities of these women are discussed throughout the book, and they’re important conversations and characters.

The Bandit Queens follows a group of women as they navigate life under the patriarchy of their small village. Geeta is our main character and the story opens with her choosing a life of isolation after her abusive husband has left her. As the story evolves, we see these tumultuous but beautiful between these women become their lifeline.

I would highly suggest checking trigger warnings before reading this book. Violence and assault are vividly described on page, and there is a significant amount of fatphobia scattered throughout the entire book. That said, I think it was very well written and and extremely captivating story. More than that, it’s a story that should be heard, and I appreciate the care the author took in researching the inspiration of the story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Addiction, Body shaming, Classism, and Death

Moderate: Pedophilia

rubyfusca's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Child abuse, Sexism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence

chwinters's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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

4.75

fuck em’ up, ladies

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, and Gun violence

nicolaparty's review against another edition

dark emotional funny fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Cursing

Minor: Death of parent, Islamophobia, and Animal cruelty

The book deals quite a lot with caste and caste discrimination in India.

victoriafrombookclub's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Murder, Misogyny, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Trafficking, Body shaming, Violence, Rape, Blood, and Religious bigotry

liorehk's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence

Moderate: Alcoholism

plaingirl21's review against another edition

dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Racism, Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

micah's review against another edition

dark emotional funny fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Racism, and Sexism

parisfba09's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Classism, and Gun violence

objectively a really heavy book content warning wise - stressful at times but made lighter by the authors tone and the humor of the characters interactions - plus a very triumphant ending

boxofcats's review against another edition

challenging dark funny inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.75

An fantastic story that completely immersed me in a culture I'm not very familiar with, while also highlighting incredibly important social issues. Dark humour on almost every page, strong women moving through complex relationships with themselves and each other - and most importantly learning to take no shit from the men that want to keep them in their place. 

4.75 ⭐ as I feel the narration lacked a bit of enthusiasm at times but would still recommend it. Looking forward to future work from Parini Shroff!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence