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The Henna Artist: A Reese's Book Club Pick (The Jaipur Trilogy, 1)
A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER
A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB PICK
"Captivated me from the first chapter to the final page."--Reese Witherspoon
Vivid 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 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.
"Eloquent and moving...Joshi masterfully balances a yearning for self-discovery with the need for familial love."--Publishers Weekly
Look for The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and The Perfumist of Paris from New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi!
A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB PICK
"Captivated me from the first chapter to the final page."--Reese Witherspoon
Vivid 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 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.
"Eloquent and moving...Joshi masterfully balances a yearning for self-discovery with the need for familial love."--Publishers Weekly
Look for The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and The Perfumist of Paris from New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi!
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Community Reviews
Thank you to Tabatha for hosting us in your beautiful backyard and feeding us delicious tarts! And thank you to everyone for playing along with the changing rules as we byob, social distance etc.
I think everyone universally enjoyed the Henna Artist. It is a great read that compels the reader along with the story and evokes a different culture with descriptions of delectable food and beautiful designs. What a missed opportunity not to practice our henna together! This was one that I liked more the more we talked about it. She was not the “best writer ever”, but we all enjoyed the read!
Good. I appreciated that the MFC had to do a lot of self reflection to figure out what was important to her and life
This was an engrossing, thought provoking read set in an interesting place and time - India, in the 1950s after successfully winning freedom from British rule. After escaping an arranged and abuse marriage at the age of 15(?), Lakshmi uses the skills taught to her by her mother in law to carve out an in demand position as a henna artist, confidant, and herbalist for the wealthy of India. All of this becomes threatened when the sister she didn't know she had seeks her help out of a very neglected and abusive situation at Lakshmi's home town. Her sister's presence threatens Lakshmi's tenuous position in the closed, gossipy and restrictive existence in Jaipur, India.
I really enjoyed this story, and I completely understood and sympathized with the main character. I know there will be people offended by Lakshmi's choices to survive, but I found her to be very smart to carve out her livelihood though desperately needed skills in a society that was so rigid and limiting for women. I had a very hard time relating to her sister Radha, age 13, who came off as a pouty whiny teen - which is what she was, I know, but i couldn't relate to her dreamy ideals and her actions which hugely impacted Lakshmi's life and future. The relationship between Lakshmi and Radha nicely evolved however, and Lakshmi found a new satisfying way to use her skills and make a good life for herself and her sister in the end. I picked up the 2nd book, as I am interested to read about her young helper Malik growing up.
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