A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB PICK“Eloquent and moving…Joshi masterfully balances a yearning for self-discovery with the need for familial love.”—Publishers WeeklyVivid and compelling in its portrait of one woman’s struggle for fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern, The Henna Artist opens a door into a world that is … fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern, The Henna Artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and cruel.
Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own…
Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.
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Fans of Divakaruni and other stories from India will enjoy this.
Quite interesting. The names and some vocabulary were difficult to follow but they were explained at the beginning and end of the book for easy look up
I adore this book! The story is so well done & very informative! The characters have depth and are extremely realistic. Please write many more books about India- it’s fascinating. And I love your characters…. even those I don’t care for. This book is very well done
I love fiction set in India and Alka Joshi”s THE HENNA ARTIST was a doozy, with an engaging heroine who claws her way up from a very low point, the family she gathers around her, and astonishing details of India, especially Jaipur.
I fell completely in love with this beautifully written novel and it’s amazing characters. I loved Lakshmi’s character and the way she is trying to be independent and raise her sister who she didn’t even know she had while balancing the traditions and new modernity of India in the 1950’s. The book left me smiling, with goosebumps and my heart sighing as I finished the last page. It is my favorite book this year.
Set in Jaipur shortly after India’s independence from the British, we see a country at a pivotal crossroad. It’s a country that’s rebuilding itself with renewed pride in its deep cultural history as it faces encroaching influences from Western culture through cinema and even from rich families who have the luxury of education abroad. It’s in this new world that we meet Laskshmi, a talented but unassuming young woman who has modest dreams of building and owning her own home. She’s far removed from her previous life as a wife in a poor village where she fled an unhappy marriage, leaving family behind to pursue something she felt she was meant to do. Her travels took her far and she eventually made her way to Jaipur where she earns her living as a henna artist whose talents are much-sought after by the elite women of the city. Lakshmi has quietly worked with these ladies over the years, listening and observing, learning much about them and their families. The delicate network of families is as intricate and elaborate as the impressive henna designs that have garnered Lakshmi such wide esteem. While she has earned a decent living so far, she yearns for more stability and perhaps some clout within the community. Lakshmi hopes to attain that by helping to arrange a marriage between two influential families. She has to work astutely because reputation and propriety are of utmost importance. As soon as she has laid the invaluable groundwork, her own personal life threatens to jeopardize her dreams. Out of nowhere, her husband appears bringing along a younger teenaged sister she did not know existed. Their presence throws things into tumult now because Lakshmi has to appease a scorned husband who seeks money from her, and a sister who has nothing left in the world but her.
I was drawn into this beautifully and succinctly detailed world from the very first page. The descriptions of Jaipur during the ’50s seemed almost otherworldly to me, far removed from what little I know of Indian history. Looking up pictures of the Pink City, my eyes just consumed all the beauty and majesty of the architecture. Having these pictures in my mind, I could easily see Lakshmi maneuvering her way around the city. There’s a quiet certainty about her that I found was comforting and impressive. The independence she forged for herself and life she created are vastly different from any assumptions one may about women living in India at that time. There’s so much that Joshi nicely fits in about this period regarding society from the caste system to the power players. I think The Henna Artist’s strongest appeal is the women. The privileged clientele Lakshmi encounters have interesting backgrounds and they’ve cleverly shaped their lives to suit them within the confines of society and marriage. There’s Pavarti, an influential socialite amongst the women whose favour Lakshmi seeks and relies on. Kanta, a close friend to Lakshmi, is a young well-to-do wife and espouses a lot of the western culture infiltrating India. The majarani runs a prestigious school for girls that offers unbelievable opportunities that most young Indian girls could only dream of. There’s a clear distinction between the haves and have nots and how the rules apply differently as witnessed when Lakshmi interacts with women who are poorer, doing her best for them. These are only a few of the women throughout the book who seek out Lakshmi not only for her talents but also discretion in extremely personal matters. Her covert expertise in traditional medicine and healing is highly valued though whispered about in circles.
The Henna Artist is a sublime and stunning historical fiction debut that not only captivates you but also moves you. I often say that as I’ve grown older, I’ve become more open-minded about how women choose their own path in life. I used to have a one-size-fits-all mentality but reading The Henna Artist has re-enforced the beauty of women finding their own way, taking as many turns as they need to get to where they eventually need to be, where they find their purpose. Nothing encapsulates that more to me than this beautiful, poetic line:
“I had helped women fulfill their desires – whether in pursuit of something or in pursuit of its absence – so they could move on with their lives.”
The Henna Artist is one of my favourite novels to come out this year. Fall in love with this must-read treasure!
~ Bel
This book is amazing! I love reading about other cultures and about women’s issues! Loved it!
Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “The Henna Artist” by Alka Joshi, MIRA, March 3, 2020
Alka Joshi, Author of “The Henna Artist” writes a poignant, emotional, and riveting novel. The Genres of the Novel are Fiction and Historical Fiction. The story takes place in India in the 1950s. The author describes the characters as complex and complicated. There is evidence of the division of classes, and the difference between the poor and rich. There also is the conflict of tradition vs. modern thinking.
Lakshmi is known for her exquisite henna designs and makes her living by being a henna artist to the women in the village. She also is familiar with certain herbal remedies. Lakshmi left an abusive husband and is struggling to survive by her talents. Lakshmi’s clients are wealthy and she has to be very careful to prevent any gossip. Lakshmi has dreams and goals of being independent and is building a house.
An unexpected and unwanted visitor introduces Lakshmi to a 13-year-old sister that she wasn’t aware she had. Now she has the responsibility of an unpredictable and unknown sister. Little does she realize the problems that will occur.
I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of family, holding strong to your convictions and hope. I would recommend this thought-provoking novel for readers who enjoy Historical Fiction.
Thanks to author Alka Joshi and publisher HarperCollins for a digital ARC of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
I loved this book. I don’t have any firsthand knowledge about India but that didn’t matter as there is a glossary at the back which lists all the words and phrases, plus a description of the caste system. I felt like I had been to India (and gone back in time as it takes place in the 1950’s). But what makes this book so readable is the captivating story and the believable characters. I was engrossed from the first pages, caring about the henna artist Lakshmi, her sister Radha, young Malik, plus several others. The author provides vivid descriptions throughout – the clothes, the food, the smells, the sounds. The story was well-plotted and emotionally realistic with a satisfying ending. This is a book I’ll be telling my friends to read.
A Recommended Read!
I just finished reading The Henna Artist. What a wonderful story! I loved visiting Lakshmi’s world, so different from mine, and yet I was able to find a little bit of myself In her.
Interesting information about a culture unknown to me. Characters were superficial and plot somewhat predictable.