The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal: Book Review

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters is a wonderful look into the sibling dynamic, especially after losing a parent. In Rajni, Jezmeen, and Shirina, you are bound to see yourself and your siblings. One is the group’s mom, one is the “perfect” one, and one is the flighty one.

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters is the fourth book from Balli Kaur Jaswal. It was published in 2019 by William Morrow. A few trigger warnings and content warnings for this book, namely, infertility, abortion, abuse, and sexism.

Synopsis

Rajni, Jezmeen, and Shirina have undertaken a pilgrimage to India from their homes in England and Australia. It wasn’t their idea, but they promised their mom on her deathbed that they would go and follow her request to visit special places. Each sister has their own reason for wanting or not wanting to go. Rajni, as the eldest, had been to India as a teenager and vowed after that trip never to return. Jezmeen is struggling professionally. Shirina, the youngest, has something she’s hiding from her sisters.

What will happen when three sisters, fighting their personal issues and each other, travel in the summer heat of India?

Positives

The way this book was written, it could have been set in almost any country and featured characters of any background. I found myself drawn into the family dynamic, especially how Rajni tried to control the entire trip and her desire to control what everyone was doing.

The author discusses the treatment of females in India without going overboard. Yes, there is a protest in Delhi that Jezmeen finds herself a part of after walking the market streets by herself earlier in the day. The sisters do experience some negative treatment during the story, but it isn’t the story’s main theme.

Negatives

I really can’t think of a negative about this book. Some of the topics written about aren’t easy to deal with, but that is more about the book’s setting than the book’s writing.

My Opinions

I found The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters an easy read, though, at times, the topics mentioned were not easy. This is a book that one could easily read while on vacation. The copy I read had just over 300 pages, and I read it in 2 days.

I will admit that my relationship with my sister isn’t perfect and really never has been, but I still love and respect her. I get the same feeling from these 3 sisters. To me, this was probably one of the more honest representations of siblings that I have come across in a book in a long time. Not all siblings get along; sometimes, they never will. But for most, including the Shergill sisters, a shared experience is what pushes them together. People should give this book a read, and I don’t think they will be disappointed.

Looking for some more books to read? Check out my other book reviews and my monthly reading wrap-ups.