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notanniewarren's review against another edition
- 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
THEN THIS BOOK CAME ALONG.
TEN OUT OF TEN FIVE STARS NO NOTES. SOMEONE MAKE THIS GORGEOUS, HILARIOUS, HEARTBREAKING, BEAUTIFUL BOOK INTO A FILM RIGHT NOW!!!!!
This just blew me away. It's GENUINELY funny, not the kind of smile-to-yourself amusing that I usually mean when I call a book funny. It's so warm and tender, especially on female friendship, whilst also touching on some really big, difficult, dark issues like racism, caste, domestic abuse and rape. I felt like I learned a lot about India (or at least, a certain part of India) and had a rollicking good time while I was at it. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal cruelty
helfire124's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
meskeets's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Blood, and Murder
raellio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Vomit, and Police brutality
decie's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Pedophilia
emherrick's review
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Gun violence, and Classism
Minor: Blood
victoriafrombookclub's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Body shaming, Rape, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, and Religious bigotry
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Police brutality
xread_write_repeatx's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Alcohol
rashmig's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Now, let’s talk about the women in this story and their independent working lives. The book beautifully portrays the way they navigate their careers, sharing experiences and providing support. What’s even more striking is how it delves into the shared traumatic experiences these women endure. The author’s writing truly hits home when it showcases these experiences as an unfortunate reality, highlighting societal issues like acid attacks, domestic abuse, and gender power imbalances.
I also want to mention the heartwarming snippets of the bond between Geeta and Bandit, her dog. Their relationship adds depth and warmth to the story, with Geeta being fiercely protective of her furry companion.
Throughout the novel, we see these women striving to live their lives on their own terms, but they face numerous challenges imposed by society or their circumstances. Geeta’s experience as a single woman with a complicated marital past and Saloni’s juggling act between family, work, and a seat in the village’s senate are just a few examples. The way they support each other through these struggles is a testament to the strength of female bonds.
Now, let’s touch on the theme of male entitlement and the prevalence of abusive behavior. The book doesn’t shy away from portraying the harsh reality that many women face, where most men are perpetrators of emotional, physical, mental, and sexual abuse. However, the story also highlights a few exceptions like Kareem and Sarah, who treat women with respect and empathy.
The novel briefly delves into the issue of caste, which might feel a bit tangential at first, but it soon merges seamlessly with the broader theme of women’s issues, offering a layered perspective on societal challenges.
Despite the heavy themes, Parini Shroff manages to infuse humor into her storytelling, making the book a breeze to read. I found myself chuckling in various places, and the climax of the novel even features some dark comedy at its finest.
In conclusion, “Bandit Queens” is a thought-provoking and brilliantly written book that seamlessly weaves together themes of female friendship, independent working women, vulnerability, shared trauma, humor, and societal challenges. It’s an impressive debut work from Parini Shroff that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking a compelling and impactful read. So, add it to your reading list—you won’t be disappointed!
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Blood, and Alcohol