Book: The Bandit Queens
Author: Parini Shroff
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Pages: 352
Longlisted for The Women’s Prize for Fiction 2023, The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff is the story of Geeta. It’s been five years since the rumour in the village that Geeta killed her husband and is a churel, a rumour that won’t easily die. But it comes with some perks – no one tries to mess with Geeta or harass her and it’s good for her business, the jewellery making, as no one dares to say no to her jewellery. But with freedom comes responsibility, the responsibility of “helping” other women to dispose of their husbands. And helping does not necessarily always mean helping, sometimes it can be for “forced help” as well. And so she needs to find a way to save herself while helping to be windows. How will Geeta save herself amidst the changing events around her that not only impacts Geeta but all the women around her in the village? Read the book to know more.
The book is a blend of multiple genres- crime, thriller, mystery, and humour (and still I might have missed some) and the author covered a vast range of themes through it, be it domestic violence, manipulation in relationships, untouchability and hierarchy, patriarchy, sexual harassment, violence, animal cruelty and again a lot more that I might not be able to cover, and thus makes the story a lot more than what it seems on paper.
The author also mentioned Phoolan Devi at multiple junctions, something that can be derived and expected from the title as well, and shows how even after so many years, the oppression and abuse towards Dalits and women is prominent in society, and especially in the villages. The author also beautifully mentions in the Author’s Note regarding this, “For me, fiction is when research meets compassion; I believe this is often why facts don’t change people’s minds, but stories do.”
In between all the chaos and disasters, the “friendship” between the women was something that stood out particularly well and marked an impact. There is a hunt, restlessness, and extreme measures for survival and diving deeper into the mud for the living, and in between all of this, there is a hope for a dignified life, away from sexism and chauvinism.
It was one of my most anticipated reads of last year and I started reading it back then only after I received it, but after reading a few pages, I was not able to continue it as I was struggling with it. I tried to read it again a few times but wasn’t successful before attempting it again last month. And the book picked up the pace and interest for me after about 40 percent and after that, there was no looking back.
I enjoyed reading the book, especially the ending which was quite impacting and gave a perfect end to the buildup and the pace, but at the same time, for me, the book lacked creating an emotional connection. There were moments which I felt if given a little more space could have played a vital role in bridging that distance, especially in the context of Karem and Saloni. Also, there were a few places where I would have liked to see more of the story and the build-up of the change in the character’s perception and perspective.
I can see why this book is so loved and appreciated and why it is nominated, and it had so many elements that worked in favour of it and thus can be thoroughly enjoyed by the readers. So if you are looking forward to reading a book that is witty, humorous, and at the same time can make you think a lot about some very crucial issues, this can be a perfect read for you.
Rating: 3.25/5
I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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