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
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.
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.
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