What do you think?
Rate this book
Bijnis Woman: Stories of Uttar Pradesh I Heard from My Parents, Mausis and Buas
A masaledaar mix of fact and fiction, action and emotion, drama and passion—these strange, funny, intriguing tales from small-town Uttar Pradesh have been passed orally from one generation to the next. They are likely to make one exclaim, ‘This couldn’t have happened!’ even as the narrators swear they are nothing but pure fact.
The bizarre chronicle of a lazy daughter-in-law, the court clerk who loved eating chaat, two cousins inseparable even in death, a blind teacher who fell in love with a woman with beautiful eyes and other wild tales from Bareilly, Lucknow, Hapur, Badaun, Sapnawat and Pilibhit, places big and small, in that fascinating part of India called Uttar Pradesh.
The bizarre chronicle of a lazy daughter-in-law, the court clerk who loved eating chaat, two cousins inseparable even in death, a blind teacher who fell in love with a woman with beautiful eyes and other wild tales from Bareilly, Lucknow, Hapur, Badaun, Sapnawat and Pilibhit, places big and small, in that fascinating part of India called Uttar Pradesh.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2017
11 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 5, 2020
More like 4.5 stars. The vintage vibe of the rural UP is beautifully captured.
March 29, 2019
Bijnis Women by Tanuja Chnadra
Bijnis Woman is a compilation of your basic, native, simple Naani/Daadi/Chachi/Mausi/chacha/bua ki kahaniyan! These are stories and anecdotes from small towns and villages of India of simpler times. If you have experienced that simple life at any point in your life, you will relate to the basic and innocent vibe of this book. It has 14 stories. Some of these stories are believable while others might sound too much but then these are the kind of stories people used to tell in villages; some truth, some myth and some added masala on it to make it fascinating.
I loved the usage of Hindi and desi words. It brings a sense of connection and gives you the warmth of the bygone era. Simple language, lucid narration and vivid description makes it an easy and interesting read.
Overall, this book is effortless. No frills, no bullshit. I totally loved diving into this.
Bijnis Woman is a compilation of your basic, native, simple Naani/Daadi/Chachi/Mausi/chacha/bua ki kahaniyan! These are stories and anecdotes from small towns and villages of India of simpler times. If you have experienced that simple life at any point in your life, you will relate to the basic and innocent vibe of this book. It has 14 stories. Some of these stories are believable while others might sound too much but then these are the kind of stories people used to tell in villages; some truth, some myth and some added masala on it to make it fascinating.
I loved the usage of Hindi and desi words. It brings a sense of connection and gives you the warmth of the bygone era. Simple language, lucid narration and vivid description makes it an easy and interesting read.
Overall, this book is effortless. No frills, no bullshit. I totally loved diving into this.
July 1, 2021
A collection of tales of UP which were passed on from one generation to another orally. Most of them were good. The best thing is it doesn't try to be too funny or too poignant or too much of anything. Told just as they are. Thought the word 'Bijnis' was a Hindi word but no, you get to know in the last story which I think is the best of the lot. Recommended especially coz the book doesn't cost much on Amazon.
March 17, 2021
Loved the journey! Worth a read, peeps 🌻🌻
Might write a proper review for this.
Might write a proper review for this.
April 18, 2020
Week 16 book 8
Bijnis Woman by Tanuja Chandra
Rating 2/5
Tanuja Chandra is a well known film maker, also sister of Vikram Chandra of Sacred Games fame.
This is a compendium of motley stories passed down orally through generations of women from UP, India.
In these stories you will find myriad characters with peculiar attributes, intriguing anecdotes, with surprising twists sometimes.
Some stories were masaledaar, in fact some of them reminded me of movie plots, like Prem Rog, Devdas, and even characters from slumdog millionaire!
But many of them were just passing notes, hardly any meat to them, no depth of character, no story or point really.
Interesting to learn about the ways of the world in small towns and villages in my native state, but nothing outstanding. Strictly one time read, if at all.
Bijnis Woman by Tanuja Chandra
Rating 2/5
Tanuja Chandra is a well known film maker, also sister of Vikram Chandra of Sacred Games fame.
This is a compendium of motley stories passed down orally through generations of women from UP, India.
In these stories you will find myriad characters with peculiar attributes, intriguing anecdotes, with surprising twists sometimes.
Some stories were masaledaar, in fact some of them reminded me of movie plots, like Prem Rog, Devdas, and even characters from slumdog millionaire!
But many of them were just passing notes, hardly any meat to them, no depth of character, no story or point really.
Interesting to learn about the ways of the world in small towns and villages in my native state, but nothing outstanding. Strictly one time read, if at all.
August 9, 2020
A good book with progressive and interesting stories. Language is Hinglish so it's easy to read in one go. Quite different from the kind of films she has made so this gives you a fresh perspective towards same storyteller/author. Do try this one.
October 18, 2020
A nostalgia inducing must read piece of art. Fascinating stories primarily written on lives from Uttar Pradesh but totally relatable to any Indian.
The Don Life can make you feel mellow, The Tea Stall hopeful, the Young Zamindar and Amrita pained and finally the Bijnis Woman who cannot fail to leave you inspired with at least a small tear.
All in all, you will definitely find real life characters either from your extended family or the ones in the stories passed on from the legacy moholla/ gully, passed on by your Grandparents or Uncle/ Aunties.
An awesome Sunday read!
The Don Life can make you feel mellow, The Tea Stall hopeful, the Young Zamindar and Amrita pained and finally the Bijnis Woman who cannot fail to leave you inspired with at least a small tear.
All in all, you will definitely find real life characters either from your extended family or the ones in the stories passed on from the legacy moholla/ gully, passed on by your Grandparents or Uncle/ Aunties.
An awesome Sunday read!
October 26, 2023
A compilation nostalgia inducing chatter of everyday ordinary folks. These stories or a form of them you would have heard in the gatherings of friends and family.
Reminded me how we kids used to circle around my mother and aunt when they used to share juicy tales of whereabouts of everyone they seem to know. In today's day and age we have isolated ourselves so much so that this regular everyday gossip in return feels like a long forgotten part of memory, now impossible to reach back to. Soliloquy of
Reminded me how we kids used to circle around my mother and aunt when they used to share juicy tales of whereabouts of everyone they seem to know. In today's day and age we have isolated ourselves so much so that this regular everyday gossip in return feels like a long forgotten part of memory, now impossible to reach back to. Soliloquy of
September 17, 2017
I happened to pick up this book because my friend asked me to review it. Having read a small excerpt online, I purchased the book without any expectations (great or otherwise).
This little book of short stories really surprised me! It wasn't the writing style - that was simple enough, unfolding in the 'narrative style' that's easiest to follow. It wasn't the depth or the pathos of the stories either! I think what floored me was the plain yet anticlimactic nature of the stories.
The stories were very matter of fact, outlining the eventuality of human existence with no great aplomb. The narrative made me feel like I was sitting on a village charpoy with a bunch of women, recounting stories from the neighborhood over a cup of kadak chai!
It was a light read, and I enjoyed it thoroughly, (mostly because the writer kept it real)!
This little book of short stories really surprised me! It wasn't the writing style - that was simple enough, unfolding in the 'narrative style' that's easiest to follow. It wasn't the depth or the pathos of the stories either! I think what floored me was the plain yet anticlimactic nature of the stories.
The stories were very matter of fact, outlining the eventuality of human existence with no great aplomb. The narrative made me feel like I was sitting on a village charpoy with a bunch of women, recounting stories from the neighborhood over a cup of kadak chai!
It was a light read, and I enjoyed it thoroughly, (mostly because the writer kept it real)!
April 14, 2019
Bijnis woman are fourteen different tales passed on from one generation to another. They are native stories which might be true or might be not. These stories from a time where people were elementary. There are a certain Hindi words used to which descriptions are added for better understanding. Some words are used which are spoken differently in different part of India especially English words pronounced various way. One such word is title of the Book 'Bijnis’ i.e. Business women. The chronicles are told by mausi, mami, chachi, nani, dadi and are also relatable. These stories reminds me of such told by women around. These story are perfect way to know about native women. Through this book, I got to see different faces of women from India; the strong, the delicate, the dedicated, the mean, the kind, the twin and so on. It was great, smooth reading. The stories of the book hold me till last.
October 26, 2023
Found this book in a book fair and I was convinced I need to have this book in my shelf, the cover did it for me!! Such a beautiful but haunting cover. The moment I held this book in my hand, I was like I can’t let it go even for a single second because the cover is too intriguing for someone to not snatch this one. But, ofcourse it was not all about the cover.
Bijnis woman felt like a warm hug to me. With every story, I became more homesick for my village (which is in Uttar Pradesh) and it’s colorful people. I could picture myself in gaav ki galiyan, eating chaat and talking to the old folks. Telling them about my life in Bombay, listening their stories about my parents and of my childhood. This book just became too personal and I loved every bit of it. The writing style is beautiful and simple. I loved every bit of it, I wish everyone who’s moved out of their small village to a big city gets a chance to read this book and feel closer to their roots!❤️
Bijnis woman felt like a warm hug to me. With every story, I became more homesick for my village (which is in Uttar Pradesh) and it’s colorful people. I could picture myself in gaav ki galiyan, eating chaat and talking to the old folks. Telling them about my life in Bombay, listening their stories about my parents and of my childhood. This book just became too personal and I loved every bit of it. The writing style is beautiful and simple. I loved every bit of it, I wish everyone who’s moved out of their small village to a big city gets a chance to read this book and feel closer to their roots!❤️
March 5, 2021
This is a compilation of basic, native, simple Naani/Daadi/Chachi/Mausi/Bua ki kahaniyan!
These are stories and anecdotes from small towns and villages of India of simpler times.
If you have experienced that simple life at any point in your life, you will relate to the basic and innocent vibe of this book.
Some of these stories are believable while others might sound too much but then these are the kind of stories people used to tell in villages, I guess; some truth, some myth and some added masala on it to make it fascinating.
Simple language, lucid narration and vivid description makes it an easy and interesting read.
Overall, this book is effortless. No frills, no bullshit
These are stories and anecdotes from small towns and villages of India of simpler times.
If you have experienced that simple life at any point in your life, you will relate to the basic and innocent vibe of this book.
Some of these stories are believable while others might sound too much but then these are the kind of stories people used to tell in villages, I guess; some truth, some myth and some added masala on it to make it fascinating.
Simple language, lucid narration and vivid description makes it an easy and interesting read.
Overall, this book is effortless. No frills, no bullshit
May 29, 2017
Nostalgia, is a powerful emotion. It motivates people to change the world, whether better or for good.
Nostalgia, is also a very personal emotion. While Bijini's Women is an homage to the times the author grew up in, it is very hard to relate to the ecosystem. While the stories are entertaining, they hardly leave a mark on you. Somewhere in the translation, the nativity and the beauty of the language is lost.
It is a one-time read at the best.
Nostalgia, is also a very personal emotion. While Bijini's Women is an homage to the times the author grew up in, it is very hard to relate to the ecosystem. While the stories are entertaining, they hardly leave a mark on you. Somewhere in the translation, the nativity and the beauty of the language is lost.
It is a one-time read at the best.
September 18, 2018
When I picked up the book, I mistakenly thought the stories are related to the title. However, it's the title of one of the stories and not related to the rest of the stories.
The stories are amusing and short enough to hold your attention even if you have just a few minutes before you need to close the book. Various characters from across generations seem like they could be someone you know or have heard about in stories from your own elders.
The stories are amusing and short enough to hold your attention even if you have just a few minutes before you need to close the book. Various characters from across generations seem like they could be someone you know or have heard about in stories from your own elders.
July 28, 2019
I was looking forward to something light and relatable. Someone who work with rural women , Bijnis women is the most relatable it can get. The stories of every day lives in small town and villages, the raw emotions, the social norms, the struggle to break free from those, and sometimes the innocence in the slow life. My favorite no doubt is the last chapter which has beautifully weaved the entrepreneurial spirit of poor women. The story is a perfect ode to their struggles and victories
April 11, 2019
This book is collection of 14 stories which are rumour, incident, story, gossip or myth whatever you please!! As it’s written by a Bollywood director you can say it was hyped. These are stories of common people which we hear in rural or village area where talking is the best entertainment. It’s a easy going book which serves few short stories which we can related to our childhood stories.
May 7, 2022
A collection of beautiful tales that shine with the raw Indian-ness and spot on descriptions that create a vivid mental imagery! The tales range from humour to rumour and love to loss and everything in between. Set in the heart of UP's traditions, it's a must read for anyone diving into Indian traditions!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2017
Enjoyed reading these stories. Quite different. Strange endings. Glossary of words at the end is useful if you are not familiar with words commonly used in some places in the northern part of India.
Definitely recommended!
Definitely recommended!
July 17, 2018
I picked this book as I thought I liked Tanuja Chandra, but liking a movie and a book is different. A book is more personal, so I dint like the idea of that. The chapters felt like I have read it so many times in so many other books. Nothing be for me.
March 7, 2023
A collection of 14 short stories (true / fictional - it's tough to guess) set in the small towns of Uttar Pradesh are easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable.
The most inspiring story is about the Bijnis woman on which the title of the book is based. Absolutely loved the character of Langhi.
The most inspiring story is about the Bijnis woman on which the title of the book is based. Absolutely loved the character of Langhi.
October 31, 2023
A collection of stories that are crisp, warm and magical, capturing the essense of the quaint villages of UP, its characteristic personas and old wives cautionary tales. You breeze through the book really, just a wonderful, small escapade.
May 26, 2017
3.5 actually. A good collection of short stories for someone looking for a light read. And SO Indian. Loved that.
November 11, 2017
A fantastic book that took me back to similar stories heard from lovely relatives back in the day. This is what I would call a ghachar ghochar with U.P. twist...more a ‘chatar patar’
Loved it!
Loved it!
November 16, 2017
While some of the stories in the collection were interesting, a number of them seemed to fall flat. All together, a decent book.
December 3, 2017
Pathetic.
July 10, 2018
Reminded me of various conversations that i overheard as a child! Such a breeze of nostalgia..this book!
April 28, 2019
A wonderful read and a companion- brought memories of my home state back. Tanuja Chandra has written with lot of love and everyone should read, not just people from Uttar Pradesh.
December 27, 2019
Light-hearted stories from the heart of Uttar Pradesh, my home state. I heard several similar stories throughout my own childhood, so this book just unleashed a wave of nostalgia.
March 10, 2020
An interesting book recounting tales from UP. Some of the stories touched me deeply, while some bought a smile and a contented feeling.
A lovely read.
A lovely read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews