Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

Don't get me wrong. At my age, I'm hardly lascivious. I'm going through peri menopause, the stage just before the actual menopause takes place which is characterized by crazy hormonal changes - waking up with drenched nighties in the middle of the night, hot flushes, irregular period and of course a lower libido. So, if you thought I ventured to read this novel out of so called 'interest', you are so wrong. 

I bought this book on purpose as I wanted to find out whats the big fuss was about it. It was written in 2017 by a Singaporean author Balli Kaur Jaswal. I have read about this novel and I have seen it in stores and so I thought, why not? I must confess that its not one of those books which would make you go 'wow! It can be a funny light-hearted read for a all women's book club discussion, maybe a deviation from what you would usually read. I just found out that tt was one of Reese Witherspoon's book club recommendation! 

The story revolves around 20 something Nikki who lives in cosmopolitan West London. When her father's sudden death leaves the family financially strapped, she takes up a job impulsively to teach 'creative writing' to punjabi widows at the community centre. When one of the widows finds a book of sexy stories in English and shares it with the class, Nikki realises that beneath their white dupattas which these Punjabi women traditionally wear, there is a wealth of imagination, fantasies and memories. Nikki teaches them to express their untold stories and these erotic stories are born. But when these stories leave the classroom, it starts a scandal which threatens them all.

The stories are titillating but not too explicit. Not for those who get easily randy. But for a Polish friend who also read this book she found it quite boring. Apparently, she has read more explicit books! Interesting....

Anyway, I would give this book a B for the comedy and storyline but maybe a C for book club worthiness.

Overall rating  B-