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Sign up todayThe Bandit Queens
A Novel
Narrator
Soneela Nankani
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Length
13 hours 14 minutes
Language
English
Bookseller recommendation
“The dark and hilarious escapades of a women's loan group plagued by abusive husbands in a small Indian village. While the topics are serious and all too real, Shroff handles them with wit, wickedly sharp humor, and occasional absurdity, making for a reflective read that will have you laughing out loud. Nankani's excellent narration will have you instantly identifying characters and laughing at their antics.”
— Lauren • Chapterhouse Books
Bookseller recommendation
“I absolutely loved the heart and humor of these characters. You would think a book about women murdering their husbands wouldn’t be funny, but you’d be wrong. 😂”
— Madison • Saltwater Bookshop
Bookseller recommendation
“This was even better than I was expecting! Shroff's writing felt heartfelt, honest, and full of real-life conversations between friends. I'll be honest, I struggled with the Indian language, the amount of r*pe and violence toward women, and culture history. But it didn't keep me from being totally invested in Geeta's life (and vulgar dialogue - which had me laughing out loud). Recommended for readers who like novels that are quirky, humorous, and full of getting even. (I'd be shocked if this isn't turned into a movie) ”
— Jenny • E. Shaver, bookseller
Bookseller recommendation
“The Bandit Queens uses humor and a raucous, adventurous tale to approach the very real and very serious issues of violence against women and lower caste persons in India. The unlikely hero, Geeta, has been deserted by her violent husband and her small village assumes she has murdered him. That allows Geeta a certain amount of freedom – until other women in her micro-loan group start asking for her help in disposing of their abusive husbands. As you may guess, mayhem ensues but the women learn their friendships are the bonds that truly matter. Soneela Nankani’s narration brought each character vividly to life – I felt I was in Geeta’s Indian village listening to the women talk! ”
— Claire • Honest Dog Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Dark humour at its best. I laughed, got angry, laughed again, and really got to enjoy a story set in a society that’s so different from mine (rural India). But the experiences aren’t all that different -patriarchy, poverty, domestic violence, discrimination. I love that there’s so much packed into the novel without it becoming too heavy or losing its humour. ”
— Valerie • Tusome Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Parini Shroff uses humor to lighten the complex topics in this novel. Because murder, domestic violence and women's rights in India are real and heavy topics for a book. But she creates the right balance and highlights the strength of friendship among women in this part mystery, part historical fiction, and part social commentary.”
— Ann • Dragon Tale Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Murder and mayhem abound in a small Indian village, and I couldn’t get enough of it! With a delightful cast of characters and wonderful dark humor (because sometimes you have to laugh to keep from despairing), Parini Shroff paints an in-depth picture of life in 21st-century India. Through the eyes of the main character Geeta, her life and those of five other women are revealed for the reader’s examination. The intersections of gender, caste, and religion are clearly displayed as these women begin to fight against the societal expectations forced upon them. Although the details are specific to India, the overarching themes of power, gender, religion, and social status are sadly universal. I cheered these women on, feeling their anger and despair coupled with the hope they create for themselves. This novel was inspired by the story of Phoolan Devi, a former member of India’s parliament who was assassinated in 2001. I now also want to learn more about her and her legend.”
— Nancy • Raven Book Store
Bookseller recommendation
“I loved this story of female friendship and small town life. I laughed out loud so many times and the narrator of the audiobook was perfect. Highly recommended!”
— Katherine • Letterpress Books
Bookseller recommendation
“The Bandit Queens is a brilliant, fresh, and fun escapade with a dog you're going to fall in love with! ”
— Julie • Honest Dog Books
Summary
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • GOOD MORNING AMERICA BUZZ PICK • A young Indian woman finds the false rumors that she killed her husband surprisingly useful—until other women in the village start asking for her help getting rid of their own husbands—in this razor-sharp debut.
"A radically feel-good story about the murder of no-good husbands by a cast of unsinkable women.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)
Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Shondaland, She Reads, CrimeReads
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.
Filled with clever criminals, second chances, and wry and witty women, Parini Shroff’s The Bandit Queens is a razor-sharp debut of humor and heart that readers won’t soon forget.
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Reviews
“A radically feel-good story about the murder of no-good husbands by a cast of unsinkable women . . . A tale that demonstrates how the antidote to bleak circumstances is female friendship.”—New York Times Book Review“[A] wild ride. Very funny—like, laugh-out-loud funny.”—NPR
“This funny, feel-good read is a rollicking ride rife with memorable characters involved in ill-fated hijinks. It also serves up commentary on class, power dynamics and the role of women in society, with a feminist history lesson to boot.”—Good Housekeeping
“Shroff cleverly considers how women might achieve autonomy within rural India’s patriarchal society through shrewd, if complicated, female friendships.”—The Washington Post
“This book is so much fun! In Parini Shroff’s dark comedy, the put-upon women of a small Indian village decide to get rid of their husbands—permanently. Things quickly spiral out of control as the bodies start piling up, the police get curious, and Geeta enters into a second-chance romance with a quiet widower who runs a speakeasy. And there’s a dog! What’s not to love?”—CrimeReads
“For fans of dark humor and social commentary! The book is expectantly funny, but it also tackles things like the pursuit of freedom from abuse. The characters are well thought out, and there’s great female friendship.”—BookRiot
“The Bandit Queens is an original, memorable, and endearing story. At times deeply serious, then laugh-out-loud funny, Parini Shroff has written a sobering but hopeful exploration of womanhood, social injustices, and second chances.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake
“Twisty, compulsive, bold, surprising, moving: It’s a wonderful book.”—Elizabeth McCracken, bestselling author of The Souvenir Museum and The Hero of This Book
“Parini Shroff’s debut novel is a rollicking mash-up of adventure story, thriller, dark revenge, and comedy. An immensely enjoyable read!”—Cristina García, New York Times bestselling author of Dreaming in Cuban and The Lady Matador’s Hotel
“Shroff’s debut is a darkly hilarious take on gossip, caste, truth, village life, and the patriarchy. A perfect match for fans of Oyinkan Braithwaite’s My Sister, the Serial Killer and clever, subversive storytelling.”—Booklist (starred review)
“At once immensely sad . . . but it has laugh-out-loud moments too. This is a deeply human book, with women surviving and overcoming in their culture while still remaining a part of it. Similar in feel to Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri.”—Library Journal, starred review Expand reviews
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