Erotic Stories of Punjabi Widows (2017)
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Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows
(2017)
BY BALLI KAUR JASWAL
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Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club Pick
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The Girly Book Club Pick
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Translated into eleven languages
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Film rights sold TO Scott Free Productions
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…
“Jaswal tackles serious themes (arranged vs forced marriage, traditional vs modern culture) with a light and funny touch. A page-turner your commute will thank you for.”
“By turns erotic, romantic, and mysterious, this novel of women defying patriarchial strictures enchants.”
“[It] is a masterpiece. It entertains, it teaches, it shatters all preconceived ideas of what intra-community tensions look like. ”
“Heady stuff ... a funny and moving tale of desire and its discontents.”
“Charming ... This is a sparkling read.”
“I loved this novel—it’s so big-hearted and earthy and funny. Best of all, it turns many preconceptions upside down, and opens up a world that so many of us have only glimpsed. A rattlingly good story.”