The Bandit Queens

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of gender discrimination and physical abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Did you anticipate the twist about Ramesh’s fate? How about the truth of his return to Geeta? Explain why or why not.

2. Much like Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala, Shroff’s novel blends mystery and intrigue with romance while featuring a female protagonist. If you’ve read both novels, how would you compare them in terms of plot, themes, etc.? If you haven’t, what other novels would you compare this one to?

3. The story of the Bandit Queen is reminiscent of the folk hero Robin Hood, whose story is retold in works like The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. How does Shroff’s retelling of the Bandit Queen compare to different interations of the Robin Hood legend? Are inequality and injustice similar concerns in all of these stories?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The Bandit Queens depicts a community with a dark secret.