The Henna Artist: A Reese's Book Club Pick (The Jaipur Trilogy, 1)

I remember this being pretty good... but then I don't really remember the book all that well. So. Great book. Maybe not that memorable.

Fascinating story of life in 1950s Jaipur. Lakshi escapes a harsh marriage with the skills of herbal healing that her mother in law taught her. Through her story and those of her family and friends, we are invited into the harsh reality of life in this impoverished part of the world. Lakshi’s sister who she didn’t even know existed, finds her and we watch them feel their way to becoming a family.

While Lakshmi claws her way towards the farthest she thinks she can get from her trauma and I love that for her in all her round-about ways I just can't get over the painful pregnancy parts. I get that it's probably realistic, that it makes sense, and all that bunk, but it also just lessened my love for the story with how much it went along with girls being pregnant, not young women, literal children. Feminine power in choosing when and how to be...read more

I found myself thinking about life's choices and the path it brings you on while reading this book. Reading Lakshmi striving for a better life when the caste system and society culture is against her is a true struggle in India. It is a rare view when you take the pressure out of a parent in one's life but you still face the pressures of the Indian culture. As she weights her options when facing an injustice in a fair and just manner, it is frust...read more

5/5