The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff was published this year. It's a novel about women in a small village in India and explores issues of sexism, classism, caste, and friendship between women
The publisher describes it this way:
Five years ago, Geeta lost her no-good husband. As in, she actually lost him—he walked out on her and she has no idea where he is. But in her remote village in India, rumor has it that Geeta killed him. And it’s a rumor that just won’t die.
It turns out that being known as a “self-made” widow comes with some perks. No one messes with her, harasses her, or tries to control (ahem, marry) her. It’s even been good for business; no one dares to not buy her jewelry.
Freedom must look good on Geeta, because now other women are asking for her “expertise,” making her an unwitting consultant for husband disposal.
And not all of them are asking nicely.
With Geeta’s dangerous reputation becoming a double-edged sword, she has to find a way to protect the life she’s built—but even the best-laid plans of would-be widows tend to go awry. What happens next sets in motion a chain of events that will change everything, not just for Geeta, but for all the women in their village.
Filled with clever criminals, second chances, and wry and witty women, Parini Shroff’s The Bandit Queens is a razor-sharp debut of humor and heart that readers won’t soon forget.
The book has started to receive a lot of attention from book reviewers and was chosen as for the January 2023 LIbrary Reads list. It's a great candidate for a book display with it at the focus, advertising your holds list.
The easiest option is to use non-fiction history and travel books about India as well as any DVDs of Indian films. Don't forget your eBooks and eAudiobooks. You can use a sign as well as a QR code to link to that collection. Try to find the widest variety of materials you have about the subcontinent. It's a very diverse place with a long history. You can also add books by Indian authors as well as books by Indian-American authors. You can use the popularity and publicity this book has received to shine a light on your midlist.
The book also features a group of women involved in small businesses, borrowing through a microloan program. The relationship between the women, both good and bad, is a strong plot theme. It's featured in other books including Bad Cree, also released this month (I'll focus on that title later in January). There are also plenty of romances with groups of women working around cultural limitations on what a woman is supposed to do or not do. Look at your collection, focusing on that plot point, and you will likely be able to dig out some titles which could benefit from some attention.
Marriage and it's limitations and effect on women in particular is another (or additional) option. The women in the village have expectations placed upon them as wives; Geeta's relative freedom is part of what encourages women to ask her for assistance. The abuse faced by some of the women in another. Look for other fiction about bad marriages and women who try to escape.
The dog Bandit becomes Geeta's confidant and housemate. Are there other titles you can think of that include a character with a pet who becomes a family member? You can have fun while also marketing your collection. If one of these ideas does not work because of the books you have available, try another. If the display empties out and you cannot fill it in the way you initially intended, pick another focus. This is why simple signage that can be used throughout the month or easily replaced is the best choice.
Remember that it's not a homework assignment so there aren't really any bad choices as long as you are thoughtful about your selections so the display is as diverse and inclusive as possible. The purpose of displays or lists like this is to draw patron attention to titles they may not be aware of and would possibly enjoy.
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