How the women in the village band together to overcome the obstacles of patriarchy and gender/ race/caste discrimination makes for an enjoyable book. 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.

To summarize, The Bandit Queens is a book I like and hate in equal measure. I love the layered characters and compelling plotline. But I cannot ignore the attempts at presenting a poor, pathetic, ugly, dirty India with Indians who can’t think beyond caste and religion. This has been an image the developed countries love and expect from third-world countries. I’m tired of authors catering to such needs and playing an earnest brown sepoy.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. The first half is slow, like really slooow. Imagine reading so much only to notice that you’ve completed just a quarter of the novel. This isn’t the kind of book I could speed-read. Sigh!

Each day, I loved returning to these sassy, fierce women and their escalating antics. It is my hope that you will feel just as heartened when you join their world. They embody so many of the traits I admire in the women around me: unapologetic, clever, strong, insightful, kind, generous, and just plain damn fun. a b c d e f g h i j k l Weaver, Mary Anne (1 November 1996). "India's Bandit Queen". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022 . Retrieved 20 December 2022. Mala Sen". The Daily Telegraph. 30 May 2011. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022 . Retrieved 18 December 2022. Richard Shears and Isobelle Gidley, Devi: The Bandit Queen, Allen & Unwin, 1984. ISBN 0-04-920097-6.

Beyond the Book

What role does gossip play in the narrative? To what extent does it change the course of the characters' lives and help drive the plot within the story?

When she was 11, Phoolan’s family married her to an older man. After being abused by her husband for several years, she managed to escape him and fall into the company of a gang of bandits. Devi participated in gang activities until she was kidnapped and taken to Behmai where she was repeatedly tormented and publicly humiliated over the course of 3 weeks. She was 17 years old. I won’t deny the existence of ugly in my country. But we have so much good too. We have people working for equality, balance, and overall growth of the country. Presenting a more balanced view wouldn’t make one any less of an activist. Geeta lives in a small Indian village. Her husband disappeared five years ago and just about everyone thinks she killed him. She didn't, but you know how people love to gossip. Having a rep as a husband killer has it's perks and disadvantages. On one hand, most people don't mess with her, afraid they will get on her bad side. But it also leads to Geeta having an interesting dilemma on her hands as now other women in the village would like her to eliminate their no-good husbands. Her life might be in jeopardy if she doesn't agree. Vlessing, Etan (29 April 2019). "Hot Docs: Lisa Ray to voice star in Bandit Queen doc Phoolan (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022 . Retrieved 5 May 2023.My most favorite part of this book is when Geeta rescues an abused dog she later names Bandit. To watch their relationship grow from one of uncertainty to full blown adoration and love was amazing. Oh my heart. 💖🐶 The manhunt claims many lives in Phoolan's gang. They are ultimately forced to hide out in the rugged ravines of Chambal without any food or water. Phoolan evaluates her options and decides to surrender. Her terms are to have her remaining mates protected and provided for. The film ends with Phoolan's surrender in February 1983. The end credits indicate that all the charges against her were withdrawn (including the charges of murder at Behmai), and that she was released in 1994.

Moxham, Roy (2010). "Chapter 8". Outlaw: India's Bandit Queen and me (Ebooked.). London: Rider. ISBN 978-1-84604-182-2. Devi became a female rights activist and was elected a member of India's Parliament from 1996 to 1999—the first low-caste woman to hold that distinction. Battle of one-upmanship among two Nishad parties worries SP". The Pioneer. 26 July 2021. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021 . Retrieved 26 October 2023.

Geeta does not have children, which leads to some derision from other characters in the book. What role does motherhood play in the narrative? How does it impact Geeta's decisions?