The Henna Artist

What a great read!! Loved it from start to finish!

“The Henna Artist”, is an expressive tale filled with colourful characters, it enlightens the reader on the deeply rooted Indian caste system and the importance of henna as a cultural phenomenon. The storyline is compelling and intense in its portrait of Lakshmi’s struggle for fulfillment in a society rotating between the traditional and the modern. The author paints a picture as beautiful and intricate as Lakshmi’s designs, Lakshmi aims to balance impossible burdens, those curve balls that life throws our way. The setting is in northern India in 1955. The timing is significant since India had become an independent country just about a decade earlier. The nation’s struggle to achieve its own identity is mirrored in the struggle of the novel’s characters to define their own course in life, regardless of the caste they fall into. “The poor weren’t the only ones imprisoned by their caste”. At times the upper castes were so constricted, they too felt imprisoned, everything that glitters is not gold. Lakshmi flees from an abusive marriage at the young age of seventeen finally arriving to the pink city of Jaipur, gaining her independence over time, she is free, becoming a henna artist whose skills are in constant demand with the rich and powerful. The untimely arrival of Lakshmi’s husband Hari with her younger unknown sister Radha in tow turns her life completely upside down and inside out. The novel is mesmerizing, exotic and simply beautiful. What matters in the end is the significance of having the choice to live a fulfilling life, the ability to forgive and to muster the courage and strength to move forward releasing the heavy weight of the past. I throughly enjoyed the rich culture displayed within this book and how it showcases the intricacies in the art of henna as well as India’s food and traditions. Eloquently written, the freedom of choice is a powerful tool, sometimes the impact is positive and sometimes it is not, but there are lessons to be learned from it all, regardless. It’s a story that will captivate your heart. *The glossary of Indian terms proved to be very useful. They are located at the end of the novel. This novel has a couple of recipes at the end as well.

Alka Joshi brings to life India just after Independence. Easy to read, well written, a beautiful story that will remain in your memory for a long time. The characters are engaging and relatable. Enjoyed the story very much.

The Henna Artist is a powerful story set in 1950s India, following Lakshmi, a smart and independent woman building a new life as a henna artist in Jaipur. The writing is vivid, the characters are deeply layered, and the cultural setting is beautifully portrayed. I was completely drawn into Lakshmi’s journey of resilience, ambition, and self-discovery. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and strong female leads.

Book condition: received in perfect condition Book contents: This is not my usual genre and I usually prefer a more fast paced storyline. It felt a little dragged out at the beginning but towards the end I realised this was necessary to build a full picture. Overall I enjoyed this book, I felt that the story could have been a bit deeper. I am on the fence about whether I want to commit to the other 2 books