The Henna Artist

Author: Alka Joshi

Publish Date: March 03, 2020 by Mira Books

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review:

A Jaipur based Henna Artist Lakshmi Shastri is great at her work. This book narrates her tale of struggles for fulfillment in the society. This book is a beautiful canvas that portrays both the beauty, charm and the ruthlessness of a society.  

Lakshmi escaped from an abusive marriage at the age of 17 has described her journey as a Henna Artist and an Herb expert. She knows the home remedy for almost everything. Thirteen years later now, 30 years old, in 1955 she serves the elite crowd of Jaipur woman with her services as a finest and most requested Henna Artist in town.

Lakshmi is striving her dreams for an independent and better future when she stumbles upon her husband Hari, she left 13 years ago along with her 13 years old sister Radha whom she never knew existed.

She accepts the guardianship of her little sister and then her circumstances change drastically and the dreams she was nurturing for so long are about to shatter completely if she doesn't act competently.

This book is so beautifully written and is an adventure to the pink city of India, Jaipur. The description is breathtaking of the beautiful palaces and grandeur residing in them. The author has elegantly described the royal family, elite class, upper-middle-class, and also the poor.

Being a person from Indian origin I could definitely relate and understand it in a better way. India is a land of holidays and celebration and we apply henna for every occasion as mentioned by the author herself in the book.

If you are into women fiction then I will definitely recommend this book to you.

Synopsis:

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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