What if the worst rumor about you turned out to be the best thing that ever happened? That’s the wickedly clever premise of Parini Shroff’s debut novel, The Bandit Queens. This book is a wild mix of dark comedy, razor-sharp social commentary, and a thrilling tale of justice—one that will have you laughing even as it tackles deeply serious issues.
Geeta, our protagonist, has been living under a cloud of infamy for years. The village whispers that she killed her no-good husband, and while the truth is that he simply vanished, she finds that the rumors work in her favor. No one dares harass her, pressure her to remarry, or cheat her out of money. But soon, the women around her start thinking, “If Geeta got away with it, maybe I can too.” Suddenly, she finds herself in the uncomfortable position of being a murder consultant—whether she wants the job or not.
Continue reading “The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff: A Darkly Hilarious Tale of Justice and Sisterhood”
Write on the World 