The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff brings us the story of Geeta – a local woman notorious for her reputation as a murderous widow. When an opportunity presents itself to apply her presumed skills to the situations of those around her, she gets caught in a very complicated web. We loved this novel – and loved dissecting its every turn. Read on for a few questions to get your own discussion going, and then check out our full Page and Pairing guide, here.
1. Discuss the title, “The Bandit Queens.” How do you think it relates to the overall story? How does it apply to each of the characters in the book?
2. India and the village Geeta lives in are intrinsic to the narrative. Discuss the ways in which the setting functions as a character in the novel and how each of the other characters relates to it.
3. The caste system has existed in some form in India for at least 3,000 years. It is a complex social structure wherein social roles like one’s profession and status became “hereditary,” resulting in fixed hierarchies. Were you familiar with India’s caste system before reading The Bandit Queens? In which ways did the pervasive societal structure appear within the novel? Are you familiar with any other caste systems across the globe? How are they like – and how do they differ from – India’s caste system?
4. 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?
5. The author infuses snark, wit, and humor into a devastating storyline about women wanting to escape their abusive marriages. Explore ways in which you use humor in your own life to deal with difficult situations. Do you find this method to be effective?
6. How are female relationships depicted in The Bandit Queens? How does the novel play with and subvert female stereotypes and archetypes? How would you position Geeta in relation to contemporary feminist discourse?
7. Love, family, friendship, and feminism are all major narrative themes. What other overarching ideas did you notice? What did you take away from reading the book overall?