The Bandit Queens

Parini Shroff’s debut is a darkly funny, sharply observed novel about a woman in rural India trying to rebuild her life after being falsely accused of murder. The story blends satire, feminist commentary, and moments of genuine danger with remarkable ease. Shroff creates a cast of vivid, unruly women whose friendships are as messy as they are essential. The humour is biting, but it never undercuts the seriousness of the issues at play. A lively, clever novel that sparkles with personality.