The Bandit Queens

A Novel

By: Parini Shroff

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

Length: 13 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's 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.

©2023 Parini Shroff (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic 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

Perfection!

Unexpected because I simply had never read anything like it, but I am so glad I listened to the glowing reviews. Hilarious, stunning, heartbreaking, and very satisfying. ❤️

Good, with a few hiccups

This book was super fun, but most of the non-English words used in the book were Hindi even though the book took place in Gujarat. Similarly, most of the translated idioms were Hindi-based. I know this won’t bother most, but as a Gujarati speaker it was jarring.

Otherwise, I loved the book and loved the narrator for the most part (other than that her pronunciation of the Hindi wasn’t the best).

Loved the performance and story

I very much enjoyed the story and the audiobook performance. I look forward to more from each of these artists

The humor

The humor of the author was good as was the reading of the book. It was somewhat of an unusual story

The story was so captivating

It was so good I couldn’t stop listening. The Bandit Queens is a great story about women and all our social dynamics and most importantly our support for one another.

Not great

I started this book for a book club I’m in. I made it to chapter 16, which is just past half way, and I can’t bring myself to turn it back on.
The subject matter is of a serious nature and I find it in direct conflict with the portrayal of the characters. The spoken dialogue and inner monologues of the characters is immature and disjointed. In addition to the fact the book is based on traditional women in India, the characters use phrases I hear from teen aged Americans.
I was not able to reconcile rape, murder, the caste system, and religious pressures faced by the real women of India, with the this story.

I did not connect with this book and was not able to make myself finish it even for my book club.

Story needed different narration

For me, the American sounding narration worked against the story and the women’s voices . Really curious choice .

great story and great performance!!

I heard about this book on the Today show and was intrigued by the story. I really had no idea on what to expect and ended up really enjoying the book. Any story about Indian culture has to include the patriarchal and caste system of India, however this book did it in such a way as not to become the main focus of the book. it highlighted in a such a touching and funny, at times, way of friendship and sisterhood. And the narrator was absolutely spectacular! I would highly recommend.

when women rise

a fun but cautionary tale of gender and class inequality. memorable characters who make you cheer through the mayhem

Loved this!

This story has it all, friendship, insight, dark humor. I loved it and can’t wait to discuss with my bookclub!