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"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 show more 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."--Publisher description. show lessTags
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“Success was ephemeral—and fluid—as I’d found out the hard way. It came. It went. It changed you from the outside, but not from the inside. Inside, I was still the same girl who dreamed of a destiny greater than she was allowed.”
~
Alka Joshi has woven a beautiful and deep tale. She takes us back in time a bit to a place women did not have many choices in life and gives us Lakshmi. A complicated women who decides to forge her own path, and comes to an understanding with the world, others and herself. I enjoyed following Lakshmi and couldn’t stop rooting for her.
~
Alka Joshi has woven a beautiful and deep tale. She takes us back in time a bit to a place women did not have many choices in life and gives us Lakshmi. A complicated women who decides to forge her own path, and comes to an understanding with the world, others and herself. I enjoyed following Lakshmi and couldn’t stop rooting for her.
Lakshmi has a lucrative business in Jaipur as a henna artist to the city’s elite, but when her sister arrives on her doorstep her carefully built world begins to crumble. Secret #1: Lakshmi’s husband is alive (if not exactly well). After fleeing his abuses a decade before, Lakshmi has been careful to keep her reputation a secret from the still traditional women who pay her bills. Secret #2: Her business as a henna artist is bolstered by a side-hustle as an apothecary cum abortionist. Taught by her mother-in-law, Lakshmi brings a knowledge of traditional herbal lore to help women in Jaipur gain a modicum of freedom from the restrictions of marriage and childrearing - even if the clients are the mistresses of the husbands of her show more henna-ed ladies. Secret #3: As Lakshmi’s sister becomes ingrained in Jaipur’s society, she accidentally becomes pregnant by way of the son of one of Lakshmi’s most important clients. The pregnancy creates a rift in Lakshmi’s carefully built life, one which can’t be solved by any easy means. Yet, through her networks of contacts (and a few daring moves), a solution is found that looks like it will carefully bridge the gap between India’s traditions and modern life - and which will maybe regain Lakshmi her reputation and business. Joshi weaves a colourful setting with fractious characters that make us question the notion of tradition, making the complicated world of Jaipur come to life and exploring a women’s perspective of a shifting 1950s India. Complicated to say the least, and endearing or heartrending in theme - depending on your perspective - I definitely want to go back to Joshi’s Jaipur for another literary visit. show less
I read this for my real world book club. It’s our September 2021 book. I’m not sure I’d have suggested it for the group or read it at this point had I known it was a first book in what is to be a trilogy and that as of now the second book is already published. I thought that it was a standalone book. It is a great discussion book though. (If you are interested in this book/trilogy, I suggest not reading the book description field for book two before finishing reading this first book.)
This is one book that is good to read as a paper book. In the front is a long list of characters. In the back is a very long list of terms and other info. It’s good to be able to easily get to those sections. There is a PDF available with all the show more information for those who choose to read the audiobook. I had to put my reading on hold and wait for the hardcover edition. The e-book was too hard to read. I wanted to look as I read and the paper book (hardcover for me) was the only way I could enjoy this book at the beginning. For most of the foreign words the translation was obvious and a few I knew, but I wanted to know exactly what each word meant as I read. I ended up referring to the extras less and less frequently but I did read all of the material.
It took me a while for this to become a page-turner but it did. The last/fourth section was utterly predictable but that didn’t diminish my reading enjoyment.
It was kind of a soap opera but I didn’t mind. I cared about so many of the characters and was concerned about what would happen with them.
Lovely Acknowledgments section. Fascinating history of henna section and a recipe for henna. Informative section on the caste system in India. Two food recipes that are vegetarian and could be veganized. They didn’t appeal to me much though even though I love most vegan Indian food.
This is a great book for those needing or wanting to start over or starting a new endeavor. Recommended also for readers who enjoy historical fiction and for readers interested in Indian culture/history.
4-1/2 stars show less
This is one book that is good to read as a paper book. In the front is a long list of characters. In the back is a very long list of terms and other info. It’s good to be able to easily get to those sections. There is a PDF available with all the show more information for those who choose to read the audiobook. I had to put my reading on hold and wait for the hardcover edition. The e-book was too hard to read. I wanted to look as I read and the paper book (hardcover for me) was the only way I could enjoy this book at the beginning. For most of the foreign words the translation was obvious and a few I knew, but I wanted to know exactly what each word meant as I read. I ended up referring to the extras less and less frequently but I did read all of the material.
It took me a while for this to become a page-turner but it did. The last/fourth section was utterly predictable but that didn’t diminish my reading enjoyment.
It was kind of a soap opera but I didn’t mind. I cared about so many of the characters and was concerned about what would happen with them.
Lovely Acknowledgments section. Fascinating history of henna section and a recipe for henna. Informative section on the caste system in India. Two food recipes that are vegetarian and could be veganized. They didn’t appeal to me much though even though I love most vegan Indian food.
This is a great book for those needing or wanting to start over or starting a new endeavor. Recommended also for readers who enjoy historical fiction and for readers interested in Indian culture/history.
4-1/2 stars show less
It's the 1950s, India is evolving and Lakshmi has decided to take her life into her own hands. Deciding to buck cultural and family expectations she leaves an abusive marriage to become a henna artist in Jaipur. She has worked hard and is close to gaining the life she's dreamed of when her husband appears with a surprise; her little sister she never knew she had.
I feel that this book really struck a chord with me because it had a deeper story that I was not expecting and it is incredibly timely. Lakshmi is not only a henna artist, but also helps women with their medical needs, up to an including abortion. The United States is currently going through a change in women's health rights and this book asks questions the US is struggling show more with now. What is the state of women's health? What rights do women have? Is it any one else's right to decide about another's bodies? I appreciate that this book has that dialogue and allows space for the reader to reflect on different perspectives. show less
I feel that this book really struck a chord with me because it had a deeper story that I was not expecting and it is incredibly timely. Lakshmi is not only a henna artist, but also helps women with their medical needs, up to an including abortion. The United States is currently going through a change in women's health rights and this book asks questions the US is struggling show more with now. What is the state of women's health? What rights do women have? Is it any one else's right to decide about another's bodies? I appreciate that this book has that dialogue and allows space for the reader to reflect on different perspectives. show less
In the years following her flight from an arranged, abusive marriage, Lakshmi has settled in Jaipur and slowly built up a successful business painting henna and providing other artistic and clandestine services to high-ranking ladies of the city. One day a surprise awaits her at the door: her younger sister Radha, whose very existence is a complete surprise, and whose presence threatens the life that Lakshmi has spent the last thirteen years building for herself.
Joshi's narrative is exquisitely written, the kind of prose you want to read slowly and savor (which I admittedly struggle to do). Because Lakshmi has so much going for her at the beginning of the novel, there is an almost palpable sense of foreboding accompanying the text, show more which made me feel somewhat stressed during my reading, but I really enjoyed the book overall. I'm looking forward to reading further in the series and learning more about Malik and Radha as they receive their own books. show less
Joshi's narrative is exquisitely written, the kind of prose you want to read slowly and savor (which I admittedly struggle to do). Because Lakshmi has so much going for her at the beginning of the novel, there is an almost palpable sense of foreboding accompanying the text, show more which made me feel somewhat stressed during my reading, but I really enjoyed the book overall. I'm looking forward to reading further in the series and learning more about Malik and Radha as they receive their own books. show less
I simply loved this book. I never needed to look at the Character's Page because they were so well defined, I never was confused as to who was who.
The locations in India, their traditions and caste system were both clear and troublesome.
The circumstances of the characters made me emotional ranging from incredulous to sorrow and even a little angry.
It certainly had all the characteristics of a novel I won't soon forget.
The locations in India, their traditions and caste system were both clear and troublesome.
The circumstances of the characters made me emotional ranging from incredulous to sorrow and even a little angry.
It certainly had all the characteristics of a novel I won't soon forget.
Beautifully written, I found myself immersed into the life of henna artist Lakshimi Shastri. I felt her struggle and determination to escape the life she was born into. Married to a husband who beat her she had the courage to leave everything behind and seek out a new life in a new city. Life was going well until the younger sister she didn’t know existed enters her life, bringing secrets from the past that Lakshimi had buried.
Joshi’s writing drew me in and allowed me to be a part of Lakshimi’s life. I loved the descriptions of the works of art she drew upon women’s bodies. I felt the oppressive heat, smelled the flowers and scents of cooking food. I felt fear and happiness, anger and longing, desperation and defeat. Such a show more roller coaster of emotions. The characters were so real to me, eliciting the same emotions I would have had had I truly known these people.
Secrets, lies, manipulation, redemption. This is a look at what it took for Lakshimi to survive. Joshi does not shield us from the hard world Lakshimi faced. She gives us Lakshimi with all her flaws. Her doubts, her betrayals. Finding and making her own family. This was a journey I was honored to be on with her.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for the advance copy to read and review. show less
Joshi’s writing drew me in and allowed me to be a part of Lakshimi’s life. I loved the descriptions of the works of art she drew upon women’s bodies. I felt the oppressive heat, smelled the flowers and scents of cooking food. I felt fear and happiness, anger and longing, desperation and defeat. Such a show more roller coaster of emotions. The characters were so real to me, eliciting the same emotions I would have had had I truly known these people.
Secrets, lies, manipulation, redemption. This is a look at what it took for Lakshimi to survive. Joshi does not shield us from the hard world Lakshimi faced. She gives us Lakshimi with all her flaws. Her doubts, her betrayals. Finding and making her own family. This was a journey I was honored to be on with her.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for the advance copy to read and review. show less
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- Canonical title
- The Henna Artist
- Original title
- The Henna Artist
- Original publication date
- 2020-03-10; 2020-3-3
- People/Characters
- Lakshmi Shastri; Radha; Malik; Parvati Singh; Samir Singh
- Important places
- Jaipur, India
- Epigraph
- The traveler has to knock
at every alien door to come to his own,
and one has to wander through all the outer worlds
to reach the innermost shrine at the end.
—from the poem Journey Home by Rabindranath T... (show all)agore
When the Goddess of Wealth comes to give you her blessing,
you shouldn't leave the room to wash your face.
—Hindu proverb - Dedication
- For my mother, Sudha Latika Joshi, who championed my independence
For my father, Ramesh Chandra Joshi, who sang me the sweetest lullaby - First words
- Her feet step lightly on the hard earth, calloused soles insensible to the tiny pebbles and caked mud along the riverbank.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Behind us, from his cage, Madho Singh called out again: "Namaste! Bonjour! Welcome!"
- Publisher's editor
- Sagan, Kathy
- Blurbers
- Amirrezvani, Anita; Belfer, Lauren; Scofield, Sandra; Barbash, Tom; McGraw, Erin; Massey, Sujata (show all 9); Newman, Janice Cooke; McNeal, Laura; McNeal, Tom
- Original language
- English
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- 11,261
- Reviews
- 92
- Rating
- (3.96)
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- 9 — Czech, Dutch, English, French, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, Portuguese (Portugal)
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 35
- ASINs
- 8