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Courage, strength and erotica is at the heart of this humorous, heart-warming tale about a clash of cultures and the women in our lives we should never take for granted.
Nikki is a modern girl living in London who is determined to live life on her own terms. She’s also Punjabi. Her mother hasn’t quite forgiven her for dropping out of law school, or selfishly moving from the family home to work in a pub outside of their community. Sister Mindi, to her horror, wants an arranged marriage and Nikki has never felt more alienated from her family and the traditional values they embrace. When she begins teaching a creative writing class for Punjabi widows, Nikki is surprised by the strength and passion that lies within the women and the secrets they hold. Before long stories begin to emerge. They are good, full of erotic description and give the women a platform to be heard for the first time in their lives. Before long the stories are being shared outside the classroom.
However, something darker lies beneath the revered community and its traditions, something that brings danger to this group of women who wish for nothing more than to express themselves and move away from the shadows. A deeper truth is soon exposed, a truth that will send shockwaves throughout the community, bringing danger to both Nikki and the group. A great read filled with memorable characters and their stories. ~ Shelley Fallows
Reader Reviews
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.
- Pearl Wilson - 'Addictive, funny yet serious undertones which will have you thinking about this book long after the last page is reached. A brilliant read throughout.'
- Sharon Wood - 'I enjoyed the book a great deal and was interested to learn about the Punjabi traditions and their experience of life in an often unwelcoming Britain.'
- Farah Alam - 'The book was very interesting and really highlighted the importance of allowing a women to embrace independence is whatever way she wants to regardless of cultural norms suggesting otherwise.'
- Katie Young - 'A fun East meets West novel with some real laugh out loud moments.'
- Deborah Mika - 'What a fascinating and enjoyable read...I loved this book and if you don't mind the odd erotic story then this book is definitely worth reading.'
- Angie Rhodes - 'Words cannot describe how much I loved this book...As tradition meets modern and East meets West, you will meet the widows and you will hope there will be a second book about the Punjabi Widows.
- Donna Smith - 'A great story of Punjabi widows in the west. These woman still have thoughts, feelings and desires despite being widowed.'
- Alison Battye - 'Titillating, but not captivating, thought-provoking, but not fascinating. Altogether a bit unsatisfying...'
Synopsis
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Hilarious and heartwarming, an east-meets-west novel for fans of The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul Every woman has a secret life...When Nikki takes a creative writing job at her local temple, with visions of emancipating the women of the community she left behind as a self-important teenager, she's shocked to discover a group of barely literate women who have no interest in her ideals. Yet to her surprise, the white dupatta of the widow hides more than just their modesty - these are women who have spent their lives in the shadows of fathers, brothers and husbands; being dutiful, raising children and going to temple, but whose inner lives are as rich and fruitful as their untold stories. But as they begin to open up to each other about womanhood, sexuality, and the dark secrets within the community, Nikki realises that the illicit nature of the class may place them all in danger. East meets west and tradition clashes with modernity in a thought-provoking cross-cultural novel that might make you look again at the women in your life...
Reviews
'Big-hearted, earthy and funny: turns so many preconceptions upside down and opens up a world that so many of us have only glimpsed. A rattlingly good story'
Deborah Moggach, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
'Compulsive, funny and wonderfully original - this novel glows with witty sensuality. I love it '
Helen Lederer, Losing It
'Poignant, intelligent yet wickedly funny - a delightful read that reignites one's belief in the power of sisterhood'
June Sarpong
About the Author
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Book Info
Publication date
9th March 2017Author
Balli Kaur JaswalMore books by Balli Kaur Jaswal
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Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd an imprint of HarperCollins PublishersFormat
Hardback320 pages
Categories
Family DramaLiterary FictionRelationship StorieseBook Favourites
Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)ISBN
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