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Start giftingThe Bandit Queens
A Novel
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
“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
“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
Summary
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.
“Shroff captures the complexity of female friendship with acuity, wit, and a certain kind of magic irreverence. . . . The Bandit Queens is tender, unpredictable, and brimming with laugh-out-loud moments.”—Téa Obreht, New York Times bestselling author of The Tiger’s Wife
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
“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
“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
“Parini Shroff’s splendid The Bandit Queens is a hilarious romp about serious things—as serious as a novel gets, and as funny, too, with characters who are dear and maddening and indelible and gorgeously drawn. 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. Rooted in a rural village in India—and led by the pariah widow Geeta, whom everyone believes to have killed her husband—a handful of women band together to take back their lives, and take down the patriarchy. 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
“Witty one-liners, tender moments of deep female friendship, and salient truths . . . [A] tale of the strength of women in impossible situations.” —Kirkus Reviews
“In Shroff’s acerbic debut, a woman helps other women escape their abusive marriages in their small village in India, often through murder. . . . Readers are in for a razor-stuffed treat.”—Publishers Weekly Expand reviews
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