Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows: A Novel (original 2017; edição 2018)

This is a treat from start to finish. The characters could so easily have been stereotypes but they are very definitely not. It manages to be consciousness-raising and sensitive whilst also having a damn good storyline and being laugh-out-loud funny. It feels like it's kinda lightweight, but it's not, it seems like it could be preachy and dragging, but it's not. Clever and engaging - I'm putting more by this author on my to-read list. ( )

3.5 At first I thought this would be chick-lit Punjabi style, but there is some heft and depth to this story. Nikki is British-born, and her parents have been very non-traditional in raising her and her sister Mindi, encouraging them in advanced studies and promising them the option to choose a husband when the time comes. Nikki feels she is a deep disappointment to them though, having dropped out of law school to tend bar and try to determine what she wants out of life at age 22. This has made for a challenging family dynamic; her older sister is a nurse and is contemplating an arranged marriage. Nikki feels like the black sheep, especially after her father's death which occurred before they could fully reconcile over her career change. This is all back-story to Nikki's current status: in an effort to honor her roots and also make some more money and possibly alter her career path, she takes an advertised position teaching English to women at a Punjabi cultural center. She envisions empowering women to tell their stories and find their voices, maybe publishing a compilation of their work. What the reality is is a handful of widowed women who desperately need to learn the rudiments of English, and even some basic literacy in their own language. The "bibis" however, have a different plan. They want to tell "sexy" stories that they've seen on TV dramas, or wished for their own lives, or miss from their widowed lives. They have some descriptive fruit and vegetable terms for male anatomy and other hilarious twists that seem far-fetched, but really are rather poignant when taken in the context of their sheltered lives that they have completely dedicated to one man, even beyond his death. (widows are forbidden to remarry). Nikki quickly realizes she is better off letting them determine the direction of the class - word starts to spread through the Indian community across London and women start to come in bigger numbers. Her only obstacle is her boss, Kulwinder Kaur, the woman who hired her for this position. She is a cold, difficult woman, but she has her own sorrow to bear: there is some mystery that unfolds regarding her daughter Maya. This starts to get at the depth of the book. Nikki also faces a threat from the "brothers" - young traditional men who "police" women at the center and intimidate them into keeping the cultural mores and honor of the gurdwara. The women's racy stories could cause the whole program to be shut down with some punishments or consequences for all. Meanwhile, Nikki has found a new love interest, Jason, also very non-traditional and she is striving to keep the work side of her life separate from what everyone there would consider immoral behavior. As the classes grow and inspire women, the stakes get higher and Kulwinder's personal tragedy intersects with Nikki's role in empowering the women. Nikki in turn is also learning a lot from the women. It all culminates in a very suspenseful, intense evening that threatens Nikki's safety. The women all stick together to triumph over the danger and also the restrictions they have come to accept as their life. Funny, touching, and inspiring, this book is an enjoyable journey into another way of life. ( )

4/5 ( )

Well, here is an interesting book, a kind of peek behind the curtain of another race. Starts of quite light and unauthentic but in no time at all we down to murder and sex. It is both funny and chilling at times and you will not be disappointed. A great read. ( )

MMD Rec, audiobooks with a British accent.

I loved this. I knocked off half a star because I was uncomfortable with the ‘open door’ of the sex scenes. Contrary of me, as the title should have tipped me off. But I’m so glad I read this, it was a lot more than erotic stories that made me feel uncomfortable (especially when I was out walking and would pass by people!).

Nicki has moved out and lives above a pub, where she works. Her father has died, after she argued with him about leaving university. She feels guilty about that. Her older sister wants an arranged marriage, which is an idea Nicki hates.

When she posts her sister’s bio in the marriage boards at a large temple (Sikh I think), she finds a post for a pert time teacher position, and applies. She thinks she will be teaching creative writing to Indian women, but it turns out the mostly widows who attend are illiterate and want to tell (and have transcribed) erotic stories.

She meets Jason at the temple and they start dating. They have some fun conversations but he starts to act furtive - phone calls, unexplained absence, etc.

Another thread is the subject of honor, particularly women’s honor and family honor. Recent deaths of young women turn out to be murders by the father or the husband seeking to control the young woman.

This is all tied together by the erotic stories. Telling them seems to instill confidence in the women, and they form bonds and share confidences. There is a happy ending for the main characters Nicki and her ‘boss’ at the temple, Kulwinda. The last couple hours of the book were page-turners - there was a fire, Nicki was saved, the murderer was exposed and arrested, Jason confessed about his divorce. So good! ( )