Contemporary Fiction: The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Published in January of this year, it seemed The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff was everywhere – every book site, book blog, and all over the social media accounts I follow. It was labeled as one of the best and most anticipated books of 2023, and has remained a popular favorite. If a book is able to deliver on the promise of being an original and bold thriller set in rural India, and featuring ruthless women intent on being widows, all with humor and wit, then I can certainly understand the excitement.

The Situation: For five years, Geeta has been a social pariah, but she has gotten used to it. In fact, she kind of likes the strange mix of attention and a lack thereof. People do not mess with her, do not bother her, do not invite her to the social functions she has no interest in attending anyway, all because it is rumored that she killed her husband. She did not, by the way, but the whispers continue, and the children still make up rhymes about her. The rumor may have eliminated her social circle, but people still frequent her jewelry business, allowing her to continue her solitary life, thanks also to a microloan she is a part of with four other women. It is only when one of these women decides she also wants to be a widow that things get complicated.

The Problem: Once again, Geeta is not a murderer. Her husband, Ramesh, simply disappeared one day. But Farah does not know that, and she insists that Geeta help her get rid of her own husband. And if it were not for another “small favor” that has put Geeta in a somewhat desperate situation, she would never agree to it. So, another “small favor” leads to more, and it does not take long for the situation to get unimaginably complicated. And as Geeta’s carefully orchestrated and previously quiet existence starts to spin out of control, she cannot help but marvel at how all of this would be different is they were men, or if the laws in India were different and allowed women more freedom, as well as the ability to seek justice against the men that wrong them.

Genre, Themes, History: This work of fiction is set in rural India, and focuses primarily on five women who entered into a microloan together, using the funds for their own respective businesses. The third person narrator focuses on Geeta for most of the novel, but also featured prominently are her former best friend Saloni, twins Preity and Priya, and Farah. All five women will become wrapped up in the increasingly complicated situation, all while considering and debating women’s rights in India, the caste system, as well as how politics and law are handled in their own rural village. Also mentioned are the stories of Phoolan Devi, a real-life woman known for exacting revenge on those that did her wrong, and whose own stories have been embellished and retold over time.

My Verdict: For a book that comes in under 350 pages, there is a lot that happens, and not one moment of it drags or moves too slowly. The reader is immediately introduced to all five women and their situation, and what follows becomes a sort of comedy of errors, filled with social blunders and ridiculous murder plots. While all manners of abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, mental, etc.) are discussed, the entire plot carries with it a certain amount of humor and wit, while not making light of what is happening. In the author’s note, Shroff makes the point that while facts are helpful, people’s minds are often changed more through stories, and this book will certainly fill readers in on life in rural India, while also telling a story that will have them wanting to learn and hear more. This book has received an incredible amount of attention for a reason.

Favorite Moment: For the most part, Geeta is unobservant and more than a little foolish; however, she has moments of insight when the truth of what is happening will come to her, and those around her are either pleasantly surprised, or appropriately caught off guard.

Favorite Character: I was not a fan of Saloni at first, but the woman’s ability to spit out a harsh insult, and also take charge of a bad situation, can only be admired. She saves those around her continually, and proves to be more loyal than she first appears.

Recommended Reading: The humor in this book reminded me of the kind of humor I found so enjoyable in books like Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, and The Sellout by Paul Beatty.