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A review by kindredspiritreads
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book had been on my TBR since it was published so when @theshamelessbookclub announced it as their October pick, I decided to finally read it!
The Henna Artist follows Lakshmi in 1950s India as she escapes an arranged marriage to build a life of her own using her talents as a henna artist and herbalist. When her estranged husband shows up at her door with a sister she never knew she had, Lakshmi’s carefully planned world is turned upside down and she must fight to look after her sister while maintaining her independence as a single woman.
What a book! I love reading books that are set in countries I’ve never been to with cultures I’m unfamiliar with. Joshi does such a great job of immersing her reader in India and I really appreciated the glossary of terms and information about henna and the caste system that she included at the back of the book.
Lakshmi is a loveable but complex protagonist and it was so captivating to watch her growth throughout this book. There is also a great cast of vibrant characters to flesh out this story and I enjoyed getting to know each one. The central theme of a woman’s right to choose her life’s path was so well done and Joshi’s storytelling painted a vivid picture of the many obstacles that could stand in a woman’s way in 1950s India. I was rooting for Lakshmi with every step forward and grieving with her for every two steps back.
I will definitely be recommending this book to friends and family and I can’t wait to read the sequel!
The Henna Artist follows Lakshmi in 1950s India as she escapes an arranged marriage to build a life of her own using her talents as a henna artist and herbalist. When her estranged husband shows up at her door with a sister she never knew she had, Lakshmi’s carefully planned world is turned upside down and she must fight to look after her sister while maintaining her independence as a single woman.
What a book! I love reading books that are set in countries I’ve never been to with cultures I’m unfamiliar with. Joshi does such a great job of immersing her reader in India and I really appreciated the glossary of terms and information about henna and the caste system that she included at the back of the book.
Lakshmi is a loveable but complex protagonist and it was so captivating to watch her growth throughout this book. There is also a great cast of vibrant characters to flesh out this story and I enjoyed getting to know each one. The central theme of a woman’s right to choose her life’s path was so well done and Joshi’s storytelling painted a vivid picture of the many obstacles that could stand in a woman’s way in 1950s India. I was rooting for Lakshmi with every step forward and grieving with her for every two steps back.
I will definitely be recommending this book to friends and family and I can’t wait to read the sequel!