FEMMES FATALE

Mariticide as a fast-track fix to may be wishful thinking, but Parini Shroff doesn't let it get in the way of a good story patriarchy

- Payal Dhar

THE BANDIT QUEENS

By Parini Shroff

HARPERCOLLINS

Parini Shroff's debut novel The Bandit Queens tells a rousing tale of female solidarity, albeit one manifesting in an unconventional form-bumping off useless, abusive husbands-packed with the right measure of wit, hilarity and irreverence. A word of advice, though: for best enjoyment, leave incredulity at the door.

Geeta has something of a reputation in her unassuming village in western India. Her husband Ramesh disappeared five years ago, and rumour has it that she killed him. Spoiler: she didn't. But being reviled as the local churail has its advantages. No one messes with her; village busybodies give her a wide berth; men avoid her. Geeta can't complain-she loves being an independent woman, with a thriving business selling her handmade jewellery. Also, Phoolan Devi is her hero.

When a fellow villager asks her to help with husband-disposal services, Geeta's carefully curated world starts to unravel. Her efforts to nip this nonsense in the bud blows up, instead, into a Bollywood-worthy chain of events. Complete with a bumbling crime lord, corrupt policemen, an irrepressible pup, a secret romance-of-sorts, and the rekindling of lost friendships.