Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows: A Book Review

I read Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal before it took the book world by a storm. Ok not the book world, at least the book blogger community loved and everyone who read it raved it. But how did it fare on my scale? Let us get on to the review!

Have you Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal? Do you like books that might hit a little close to your home? What was the most unputdownable book you read this year? Let me know. We should dish! Click To Tweet

About Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

Widows

Book Name: Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

Author: Balli Kaur Jaswal

Genre: Fiction – Romance, Drama

Characters: Nikki, Kulwinder, Jason, Mindi, Olive,

Setting: Southall, London, the UK

Plot Summary of Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

Meet Nikki, a law school dropout, is trying to make her try at being independent after she finally got out of her over-bearing immigrant mother’s house. She tries to distance herself from her Sikh community, that is too traditional and sexist for her liking. Impetuously, she signs up to teach a Creative English course for the widows of her Punjabi community to earn some quick bucks.

A gross miscommunication leads to her teaching basic English to the lonely widows and most of them turn out to be illiterates. During the classes Nikki realizes these women are much more interested in oral story telling, especially erotic ones.

While the traditional Sikh community considers this as a scandalous act, especially for widows to be involved in, the women (with Nikki’s help) continue their lessons. They try and keep it a secret from the ‘Brotherhood’, a self appointed moral police team, who take it upon themselves to protect the virtue of the woman in their clan.

There is another much more interesting sub plot involving another younger woman who had ‘committed suicide’ after disagreeing with her husband’s way of living and was generally ‘too modern’.

Did the Brotherhood have a hand in her death? Does Nikki’s attempt to bring in empowerment to these widows through erotica meet with the same hatred? You will have to read the Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows on your own to find the answers.

Book review of Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows is one of the most ‘un-put-down-able’ book I read so far this year. I read through it fast and still couldn’t get to the last page quick enough. I needed to know the answers right then and there. But sensibility prevailed and I didn’t peek into the last page to find the answers. The writing was crisp and fast paced.

Yes there are some ‘erotic stories in them but they are written tastefully (is that correct word here?) and not cringe worthy at all. But if you do not wish to read them, you can skip them and it will not hinder the flow of the novel at all.

It has been a while since I loved the side characters and Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows has a bunch of well written and quirky characters.

While I didn’t like Nikki’s holier-than-thou attitude, I was able to relate to her at some point (or did I?) coming from a desi background and all. She reminded of the small sexist things that we do because our tradition demands it and how hapless women who can’t and won’t fight against them are.

Also I was reminded me of the BBC’s sitcom ‘Citizen Khan’ and I am definitely gonna watch them again in a bit.

What worked for me

  • I loved the narrative pace and it kept me on my toes until the end. Truly un-put-downable!
  • Kudos to the author in keeping the erotic stories in taste and yet interesting.
  • I loved the well written and memorable characters.

What may have been better

  • I felt Nikki was a bit annoying and judgmental, at least in the beginning.

Bottom line

If you are looking for something light and funny, or something that might make think about thoughtful or erotic, Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows will fit your bill either way. The book is funny. It is fast paced. It talks about woman empowerment. It has it all. Read it already, I say.

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Let us talk!

Have you Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal? Do you like books that might hit a little close to your home? What was the most unputdownable book you read this year? Let me know. We should dish!

20 Comments

  1. Becca

    I added this to my TBR after Sim @Flipping Through the Pages talked about. I’m super curious about reading it and think it’s great for a book to talk about more β€˜sex/relationship’ stuff, particularly from a cultural view.

    So sad that the title would put some people off though 😟

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      The whole Punjabi culture in the UK made the plot more interesting as you said.

      Reply
  2. Dani @ Perspective of a Writer

    Love this review and it so inspires me to pick it up… I heard about this book today somehow?! but I was so pumped to see your review of it!! <3

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      If you get a chance do pick this book up Dani. Even if the title might put off some people, it is worth the attempt.

      Reply
  3. Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks

    I would love to read this one, I’ve seen so many good reviews, but I was sold before I even read more than one πŸ˜€ unfortunately, I can’t track its sales for some reason cause ereaderIQ doesn’t find this book xD

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      I didn’t find it there too. It is there on Amazon though.

      Reply
  4. shanayatales

    Okay I have to admit I am intrigued. Especially because while I have heard a lot about this book, I had no idea what it was about. And yes it does sound interesting, so I am definitely going to check it out. Thank you! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      It is worth a read for sure. Let me know how it goes when you try it.

      Reply
  5. Cricket

    This one sounds like fun. I would be interested in seeing how the characters progress through the book.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      It sure was. You should try it.

      Reply
  6. Aparna

    Heard alot about this book nowadays. Sounds interesting. Great review. Loved how you described the book without giving away the crux

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Glad I could do that.

      Reply
  7. Andreea

    This sounds like a great book – and I never judge anyone on the books their read, because you never know if the title is misleading like in this case or why the person reads the book – for example I want to read L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology book but just out of curiosity.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      I am totally with you on being non judgemental about people’s reading choices.

      Reply
  8. Madhvi

    Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Glad you liked it πŸ™‚

      Reply
  9. Sim @ Flipping Through the Pages

    Oh I am glad you liked it 😊 It was one of my favourites of 2017. Yes the title is definitely misleading may be that’s why this book didn’t get the hype it deserves. It is really wonderful story and well written.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      The title was weird and would have kept me away if not our solid recommendations from other bookworms. And I am gonna run to your blog and check your review right away.

      Reply
  10. JJ @ This Dark Material

    Great review! I’ve seen a couple bloggers talking about this and it sounds really good. Plus that cover is so pretty! I may have to pick this one up soon πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      It was quite good. You should definitely try.

      Reply

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Gayathri

Gayathri

Gayathri has been reviewing books since 2010. When she is not reading books or creating online content, she works as a writer and a digital marketer. Head over to meet me!