“The Henna Artist” by Alka Joshi

Read via Kindle (after my puppy chewed up the hardback!)

I am extremely partial to historical fiction, and this masterpiece did not let me down. Set in 1950s India, I was transported not only to another time but to a completely new culture.

Synopsis:

In this book, we follow the journey of Lakshmi, a 30-year-old woman who has escaped her abusive husband and grim future in rural Ajar and built a new life for herself in the big city- Jaipur. Over the thirteen years she has been living in Jaipur, Lakshmi has gained both business and trust from the most elite women in the city as a result of her unparalleled henna skills. Lakshmi is on the brink of success, with her clientele growing and her very own house almost complete.

Until…

Lakshmi’s world is flipped upside down upon the unexpected arrival of not only her husband but a sister she never knew she had. Can she navigate this new life of being a mother figure to her teenage sister, fending off an ex-abuser, all while continuing to build her henna empire?

Rating: 4.5/5

Review:

I heard of this book through Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club on Instagram. (This is a wonderful place to find books centered around strong female protagonists written by female authors!) In an “Instagram live” session Reese hosted with the author, Alka Joshi mentioned that it took her a decade to write this novel. This shows complete dedication, with no details left without research. I was in complete awe at how Joshi was able to transport me into Lakshmi’s world from the very first chapter. I was completely captivated, and sad whenever I would have to put the book down (or turn off my kindle!)

I loved how easy and fun it was to learn about a new culture through this novel. The use of unfamiliar terms throughout the book was slightly frustrating. There is a glossary of the Hindi and French terms listed at the end of the book, however, it is quite extensive and, to put it bluntly, annoying to have to go back and forth between it and the page I’m reading. Nevertheless, I learned a lot and eventually got used to the words.

Tip: Don’t get caught up on the character descriptions at the beginning of the book! I promise the characters come to life very quickly, like any other book.

Conclusion:

I highly recommend “The Henna Artist!”

Grab a cup of chai tea & a cozy blanket and get ready for an inspiring look into the complex life of our heroine, Lakshmi!

Amazon: The Henna Artist: A Novel

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