This is a beautifully written novel set in Jaipur (known as the pink city), India during the 1950s. This is a fascinating time period as only less than a decade ago, India gained its independence from Britain and India & Pakistan became two separate nations.

In this novel, the author shows the realities of the elite and the poor during this time period (much of it still the same today) and shows us how the caste system and traditions of this time period impacts a persons outcomes.

I felt so much compassion for the female ‘main character’, Lakshmi. She is of a higher caste, but ‘fallen’ from that caste and struggled through most of her life and ended up the Jaipur. In Jaipur, she paints henna on rich clients while gaining their trust. Her life changes when she learns she has a younger sister and now cares for the sister.

What a beautiful book! I felt like I was transported to 1950s India.

Rich Indian novel!

I found the background to this novel set in 1950's Jaipur fascinating. I knew nothing about henna work, well a few vague suppositions, but I was totally engaged by the art Lakshmi practised. I became immersed in her culture. I marvelled at how Lakshmi included henna motifs from other people she'd met, telling their stories. I was totally present as she combined her seemingly magical talent with traditional herbal medicine and her art. The Mindfulness of henna application comes to my thoughts.
Lakshmi had fled an abusive husband. The shame brought upon her family meant she'd been repudiated by her parents. She didn't even know she had a younger sister. Imagine Lakshmi's shock when her husband Hari turns up with this unknown sister, Radha, a young girl of thirteen.
Over the years Lakshmi has built up her business and is nearing her goal of building and owning her own house. Her wonderful assistant, a cocky, shrewd, street kid Malik is a stand out gem and a strong secondary character.
Now this sister, this puzzling girl who is stubborn and strong willed, who has been used to fending for herself and retaliating when she was scorned has thrown her plans askew. The changes wrought to Lakshmi's life are catastrophic to her peace of mind, although eventually enlightening. I will confess my feelings about sister Radha are mixed, as are Lakshmi's.
Lakshmi has built up a clientele of high class, wealthy ladies and is on the verge of bringing off a financial coup, taking her services beyond that of henna artist to marriage broker and more, including coveted access to the palace. Radha threatens this.
Lakshmi had learned from Hari's mother to mix traditional herbal concoctions to benefit her ladies in healing and well being. The darker side is that she also mixes herbs for those very same ladies' husbands and sons to give to their mistresses and even female household servants if necessary. Lakshmi is building towards her goals from mixed sources. In the end those Lakshmi trusted are but paper cutouts and the goals she had, turn to ash. Gossip and vengeance take hold.
I was absorbed by this look at a culture unknown. The realization that though we may do things differently there is still love, jealousy, revenge and redemption for all.
I was shocked by the sordidness of the scene within Lakshmi builder's home and as repulsed by that situation as she, even as she recognizes the builder's wife as a fellow traveller.
This is such a rich and colorful novel--in culture and characters. I was drawn by so many aspects that were startling and unexpected, woven seamlessly throughout. Along with Lakshmi I was alternately pleased, puzzled, hurt and shattered. Truly, Lakshmi's moment of triumph, and reconciliation to the truth of her gift is both redemptive and uplifting.
An amazing read!

A Harlequin - Mira ARC via NetGalley

Lakshmi finds her life uprooted when she has to save it. She's in an abusive marriage and her only option for a new life is to flee her small village.

In Jaipur, she tries to rebuild her shattered life. She is a henna artist, healer, and businesswoman. Clients are hard to find at first despite her skills in these areas of work and the city's prostitutes are her first clients.

When things start to look up and she becomes more settled and successful in her job and work for wealthier clients, she sees a person she never would again- her husband and what is the connection between her and a young girl?

The novel takes place after India's independence from Britain. It's such a colourful, rich novel and I felt I was into 1950's India.

Every single character, be it prostitutes, or Maharanis or even Lakshmi's young assistant, Malik were so well created. And don't forget Madho Singh, a talking parrot.

In The Henna Artist, Joshi has created an enthralling, immersive novel and her huge wealth of knowledge and understanding of the places and period in history as well as the amazing descriptions make this an unputdownable novel.

She usefully includes a character list and also a glossary (everything included there is helpfully italicised in the text, but as VoiceOver read the book out I was able to identify the words).

The pacing of the novel was fast and busy, just like what I imagine the city of Jaipur to be, but I was swept up in the book so it was enjoyable.

The Henna Artist is a colourful, richly layered novel about shattered lives and how woman pieces hers back together against the hustle and bustle of Jaipur. The difference between her village and the city are marked as one would expect but Lakshmi fights on, through good times and bad, to find new roots and stability again.

Be prepared for a novel so rich in Indian history and culture that it's a delight for the senses. Join Lakshmi on a journey of a lifetime.

The Henna Artist is a deliciously different historical novel.

Yes, the time period is important to orientate the reader, but what leaps off the page are the characters as well as the sights, sounds and smells of India: brightly coloured buildings and clothing as well as highly fragrant cooking and customs specific to the country at the time.

The novel is one of adventure, or finding opportunities in the most unexpected of places, of risk taking to save your life and of forging new bonds and meeting new people.

Lakshmi is brave and strong and is really someone I liked and rooted for all the way through the novel.

5 stars- as rich and colourful as it is unsettling and beautiful, The Henna Artist is the best historical novel I have come across in a long time.

Thanks to Alka Joshi and MIRA books for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

Lakshmi Shastri has spent years rebuilding her life. In Jaipur, India, in 1955, Lakshmi is close to achieving her dreams. She finally has a robust and stable client list, women who pay handsomely for her henna artistry, as well as her herbal lore. The house she designed is near completion, and the opportunity to earn the last funds needed to pay for the final touches is right around the corner. The arrival of a thirteen year old sister that Lakshmi never knew existed threatens to upset everything that she has been working for.

The Henna Artist tackles a number of issues without losing sight of the narrative. The evolving role of women in India, the end of British control of the country, religious tension, the caste system, and familial relationships are all essential elements of the novel, but at no point did I feel like I was being lectured. The story was engaging, and Lakshmi is a character flaws as well as strengths. His is a four star, rather than a five star, book for me because as much as I enjoyed it, it didn't quite have the “can't put it down” factor.

Recommend for: historical fiction fans who want a non-Western story, or those who want to visit modern history that isn't one of the World Wars.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

1950's India is the setting and from word one, I felt transported to that time. Everything from the scenery, to the cultural norms of that time and place, surrounds the reader. It's rare that a historical fiction novel captures all of that so effortlessly. I read it in just two long binge sessions- highly recommend.

The publisher and Netgalley provided me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Lakshmi is achingly close to grasping the safety and security she has worked so hard to find. When she left her abusive marriage, and settled in the city of Jaipur, she had every intention of completely abandoning the ghosts of her past. This historical examination of a woman's quest for independence was compelling and relatable.

Lakshmi's carefully orchestrated plans for her future go awry when her abandoned husband tracks her down. He has her younger sister in his clutches, and uses her as leverage.

This tangled web that explored the complex issues of the familial bonds of responsibility and obligation kept me enthralled. The setting and language were evocative, lush depictions of 1950s India. The characters fully developed and unforgettable. The plot is rich in detail, and exquisitely captures the experiences and emotions of the cast.

Lakshmi's story will ensnare readers.

Harlequin was kind enough to give me an early look at The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi and it is firmly in my top 5 books I’ve read this year. I love books that transport you to new places and Alka Joshi’s descriptions of 1950’s India are so detailed that you can smell the spices, feel the dusty roads, and see the colorful saris. The Henna Artist is a compelling story told through the eyes of Lakshmi, a woman who left an abusive arranged marriage only to be ostracized by her own family. Striving to create a life that will win back the good graces of her family, Lakshmi works long hours attending to the needs of the women of the wealthy upper class. I was immediately invested in Lakshmi’s happiness and future and fascinated by Joshi’s descriptions of the different social castes in Indian society. Lakshmi firmly believed in a woman’s right to choose, whether it was the right to choose your own husband or when and if you wanted to have children. I absolutely loved spending time in this complicated world with Lakshmi. Gorgeously written, The Henna Artist is a heartfelt look at family, honor, and loyalty.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

Lindas Book Obsession Reviews "The Henna Artist" by Alka Joshi, MIRA, March 3, 2020

Alka Joshi, Author of "The Henna Artist" writes a poignant, emotional, and riveting novel. The Genres of the Novel are Fiction and Historical Fiction. The story takes place in India in the 1950s. The author describes the characters as complex and complicated. There is evidence of the division of classes, and the difference between the poor and rich. There also is the conflict of tradition vs. modern thinking.

Lakshmi is known for her exquisite henna designs and makes her living by being a henna artist to the women in the village. She also is familiar with certain herbal remedies. Lakshmi left an abusive husband and is struggling to survive by her talents. Lakshmi's clients are wealthy and she has to be very careful to prevent any gossip. Lakshmi has dreams and goals of being independent and is building a house.

An unexpected and unwanted visitor introduces Lakshmi to a 13-year-old sister that she wasn't aware she had. Now she has the responsibility of an unpredictable and unknown sister. Little does she realize the problems that will occur.

I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of family,  holding strong to your convictions and hope. I would recommend this thought-provoking novel for readers who enjoy Historical Fiction.

After escaping an abusive husband of an arranged marriage, Lakshmi has curated a niche life as a henna artist and herbalist, carefully balancing her needs with the desires of her wealthy, high caste clients. Until...her ex-husband brings to her a sister Lakshmi didn’t know existed, along with the information that both of their parents are dead. A sister who can topple her meticulously constructed life, simply by being her naive, adventurous self. Joshi has created a picture of a precarious position within society that is specific to someone who provides a service that’s both decorative and healing, desired for its aesthetics and cultural significance. Although accepted into higher society, Lakshmi is still considered a servant to the most influential of her clients, and thereby afforded no protection against her sister’s impetuous actions. Not only has the author provided a compelling tale, but she has included a glossary of hindi words and a history of henna artistry. I was fortunate to receive a digital copy of this beautiful novel from the publisher Mira Books through NetGalley.

I enjoyed this book so much! I'll either love or dislike a historical book in the first pages and this one just in trapped me with its story telling. Loved learning more about Indian culture, especially after such big events in history with winning its independence from the British.
This book didn't turn out how I thought it was going to be but, I still entranced with following Lakshmi's story and her battling cultural norms and with facing hardships. The only thing that I wished this book had is little bit more romance but that's just my personal opinion.

This is a wonderful book and weaves the story of a struggling woman in a rich tapestry of recently-independent India. The story is set in the post independent times of mid 1950s in Jaipur. The cover is gorgeous. The prose is equally gorgeous and transports us back to those times, particularly in the elite and the lower-middle sections of the society.

Detailed review at: https://anups.net/2020/02/20/book-review-the-henna-artist-by-alka-joshi/

The Henna Artist brings parts of India to life. The powerful and wealthy live alongside the dreary and poor. Lakshmi, who runs away from her abusive husband, becomes a trusted henna artist. When her sister, who was born after she leaves home, shows up, her life is turned upside down. Beautifully written, The Henna Artist is an engrossing and important book.

Thanks to author Alka Joshi and publisher HarperCollins for a digital ARC of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

I loved this book. I don't have any firsthand knowledge about India but that didn't matter as there is a glossary at the back which lists all the words and phrases, plus a description of the caste system. I felt like I had been to India (and gone back in time as it takes place in the 1950's). But what makes this book so readable is the captivating story and the believable characters. I was engrossed from the first pages, caring about the henna artist Lakshmi, her sister Radha, young Malik, plus several others. The author provides vivid descriptions throughout - the clothes, the food, the smells, the sounds. The story was well-plotted and emotionally realistic with a satisfying ending. This is a book I'll be telling my friends to read.

Could not put this book down.I’m Indian and love Indian fiction but I have to say I’ve never read any that comes close to this.
Beautiful descriptions of henna throughout the book.This is the story of Lakshmi who runs away from her abusive husband to the city of Jaipur where she learns the art of henna and healing through herbs.She applies henna to the rich women and saves money to build a house.One day her estranged husband lands on her doorstep with a 13 year old sister who was born after she had left home.
So begins missteps and mistakes and one day she loses all her clientele.
Absolutely loved the rich vivid descriptions.Flawlessly written
Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC

Thank you Harlequin Mira for the eARC.
Lakshmi fled her abusive husband and her village for Jaipur, the Pink City, where she carves out a living by painting henna on the bodies of rich women. She's saving for her own house and is on her way to succeeding when a sister she didn't know she had ends up on her doorstep. The 13-year old changes Lakshmi's life; she now has to look after someone other than herself and it's a struggle. Her sister had a mind of her own and ends up in trouble. Palahniuk loses her clients one by one and the future looks dire.
This is almost like an Indian fairy story, it's luscious and describes life for women, rich and poor, in 1950's India beautifully. The chapters on food are so good...I lived in Mumbai for 2 years and absolutely loved it, becoming addicted to the food; so I made a vegetarian curry today!
After all the trials and tribulations the ending was perfect and satisfying. A really good book I recommend highly, 4.5 stars.