Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows (Balli Kaur Jaswal) - A book to be read by men

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 stars

I picked this book up on a mere whim - the title and the premise seemed very interesting and fresh. It was a short read and I was anyway on a book buying spree. I did read the mention in my Instagram feed and added it to my TBR without knowing much about it. I'm glad I did that! 

The story follows Nikki, an Indian origin Punjabi girl living with her family in London. She is the next gen version of Simran (from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) - not as coy, timid or obedient but still very connected to her Indianness and Punjabi Sikh-ness in all she thinks and does. She struggles with rebelling against the career track her parents (esp her father) had planned for her, but still cannot forgive herself for the grief she has caused him due to this. Her elder sister Mindy, maybe in an attempt to overcompensate for her sister's foibles, wants to find a groom through the "arranged marriage" route and asks Nikki to go to South Hall - London's Punjab, and post a Groom Wanted ad on the notice board of the Gurudwara there. Nikki makes this trip just to do her sister a favour, but finds herself drawn to a lot more happening in South Hall. She answers an ad to teach story writing classes for women staying in the area and gets selected because well, she is the only applicant for the job.

Hereon starts her English classes, which quickly move to sessions where the women (all widows of various ages and abilities) find their voice and a rare opportunity to express their innermost desires, feelings and disappointments. As they take turns in crafting erotic stories, Nikki discovers a world of suppressed emotions, sexual experiences, desires and most of all, disappointments. Old stories and secrets tumble out and some hard truths are laid bare in those evenings. Nikki also stumbles upon secrets that the women know, doubts about a number of "accidental deaths" of young, often rebellious women, who have dared to challenge the patriarchal norms and mysteriously died. One story that keeps coming back to her is of Maya, who died by suicide - the worst form at that. Her parents are still looking for answers but are scared to do much as they are under constant watch of the Brotherhood - a band of young fanatic men who decide the moral code that everyone, esp women (of course, it is always women) need to follow. Not one to be suppressed, Nikki continues her search for answers and uncovers some startling facts, even if it means courting mortal danger.

The erotic stories form the backdrop of the whole book. When women get to express their primal sexual desires (just express, not even live them), their world opens up. They realise they aren't the only ones to have these feelings. Their sisters have similar experiences and desires - some met but most unmet or just furtively met once or twice in their lives. Once they find their voice and the permission to express themselves, they also find the courage to ask other uncomfortable questions and challenge the status quo. Even Nikki, who has had a liberal and modern upbringing finds herself confronting people and asking for what she needs, easier than earlier. Kulwinder, who is struggling with her daughter's unexplained suicide, finds it easier to face the doubts she has start looking for answers.

In terms of critique, the story could have been written better - I did not find any parts that were very well written or jumped out at me as beautiful writing. The characters were also not fully etched out or had a proper story arc. There are also some inconsistencies in the plot. Nikki forgiving her lover who lied to her throughout and then apologised and made excuses also did not sit well with me. 

All in all, read it for the cute but hot erotic stories, read it to know what older experienced women hide in their bosoms, read it learn how not to judge women.