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Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

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Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

By: Balli Kaur Jaswal
Narrated by: Meera Syal
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Reese Witherspoon’s March Book Club Pick!

‘Big-hearted, earthy and funny… A rattlingly good story’ Deborah Moggach, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

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…

©2017 Balli Kaur Jaswal (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Asian Creators Contemporary Contemporary Romance Fiction Historical Fiction Romance World Literature Heartfelt Witty Feel-Good Funny
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Critic 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, author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel)
"Compulsive, funny and wonderfully original - this novel glows with witty sensuality. I love it." (Helen Lederer, author of Losing It)
"Poignant, intelligent yet wickedly funny - a delightful read that reignites one's belief in the power of sisterhood." (June Sarpong)
All stars
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I wasn't sure what to expect with this bizarrely named novel, and I was slightly worried it would be some Karma Sutra style book but it was nothing of the kind.

A group of old Punjabi women attend an English language class run by a British Asian young woman who mistakenly brings in an erotic book one day. It opens up a world of sensuous pleasure for the women, who are normally quite conservative about such topics.

While it's quite a novelty and funny at the beginning, the stories become repetitive and it becomes a little boring. The honour crime story was far more interesting and I wish there was more focus on that side instead of turning it in to a Gurinder Chadha type of novel. The stories are meant to open up other aspects of the community such as arranged marriages and the impact of honour - but it just doesn't seem to connect that well.

The protagonist Nicky is great though who reflects many British Asians growing up with dual cultures. Good but not great.

Interesting, a little repetitive

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Wasn't really sure what to expect with this book, I saw it recommended by the Reece Witherspoon book club and thought I'd give it a try.
Really good story line, made me laugh and many thought provoking moments.
definitely worth one of my credits.

Loved it

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As a Pakistani woman the cultural references reminded me of 'home". It made me laugh as well as made me sad. A great listen, hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Loved it!

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A wonderfully humourous book! it was totally engaging and funny. loved the voice over too

Great!

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this was a great story read by someone so familiar it's as if a friend is reading it. loved that it gave a voice to women who are so often appearsilent due to the inability to speak to women outside their community. it also touches on difficult subjects but ultimately shows we're all the same whatever our creed or age.

the narration is brilliant

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