Balli Kaur Jaswal: Erotic stories for Punjabi widows (2017)
298 pages
English language
Published Aug. 7, 2017
After her father's death, Nikki, who has spent most of her life distancing herself from the traditional Sikh community, takes a job teaching a creative writing course in the heart of the Punjabi community.
Nikki has spent most of her life distancing herself from the traditional Sikh community. After her father's death she takes a job teaching a creative writing course in the heart of the Punjabi community. When one of the women students brings a book of erotica to class, Nicki use it as the basis for helping these modest women unleash creativity by telling their own stories.
This was an interesting look at not only the sexuality of the women at the centre of it, but also of power dynamics within diaspora communities and how those intersect with the culture those communities exist within.
Balli Kaur Jaswal has written a romance, a mystery, some social commentary, and a feminist novel, all contained in less than three hundred pages! And oh, yes, there are also some short erotic stories.
The novel takes place in London, where Nikki, the protagonist, must often navigate the divide between two cultures as she decides the shape of her own future and choices. There are some sad and serious events that unfold in this story, but there is also some humor.
I thought the characters were well developed and believable, and enjoyed this very much. I'll definitely keep an eye on this author!
2+, if I could.
