The Henna Artist

By: Alka Joshi

Narrated by: Sneha Mathan

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

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 from New York Times best-selling author Alka Joshi!

©2020 Alka Joshi (P)2020 HarperAudio

Lyrical and inspiring

This debut novel is impossible to put down and swept me away on a tantalizing journey through 1950s Jaipur. I found the entire cast of characters fully realized in the author's lyrical words, and the story replete with color and culture. I especially enjoyed the clever interplay of the audience's realizations with the protagonist's, along with her internal discourse as she is faced with the hefty weight of fate and external machinations balancing on a knife's edge. Phenomenal book!

Delightful -descriptive and colorful. LOVED IT

I adored this book. The detailed descriptions of the area of the world where it takes place, specific traits and mannerisms of many characters made me crave my listening time

I feel like I truly know Gigi and her family now.

This book was very very good.
Note there is a context booklet at beginning I referred back to for a while to get to know the characterS

The narrator was exceptional to me

Absolutely one of the best books I have ever read

This book contains everything you could ever want in a good work of literature. I enjoyed every well written/read line. Don’t pass this one up!

What a great story

I loved this book. The development of the characters was excellent and their interaction made the book "sing". I was listening to the book while walking and each afternoon I couldn't wait to pound the concrete.

So Captivating

I adored this book. I found myself finding a lot of quiet time just so I could listen.

Totally recommend

I totally enjoyed The Henna Artist , the story wonderful and filled me with compassion for women. The narration delightful and I could not stop listening. Having also visited India many times it brought back beautiful memories.

Two thumbs up

This novel was very enjoyable. Great story that came alive with the narrator. I look forward to new books by Alka Joshi and other books read by Sneha Mathan

Beautifully captivating and heart touching!

I heard so many great things about this book and I can honestly say it does not disappoint. It follows the mIn character Lakshmi in 1950's India as she flees an abusive marriage to become Independent and successful in the city of Jaipur, but she runs into challenges as it is unacceptable for a woman to leave her husband and she must walk a fine line dealing with the women and other people she relys on for her success. Can she escape her past? Can she keep her past secret? Will she find the success and happiness that she worked hard for and deserves? This book is beautifully written, with descriptive world building, and wonderfully fleshed out characters. It's a heart touching and emotional journey with some parts that are infuriating, but the whole book keeps you turning the pages and wanting more. This audiobook was narrated by Sneha Mathan who did a beautiful job narrating the story. Her voice, her tempo, and her gift of storytelling lent such a wonderful flow to the story. I definitely recommend this book!

entrance to a culture

Loved everything about it. Thorough immersion in the difficult world of caste and manipulation in India, yet very personal struggle of survival.

The Henna Artist

A glimpse into an Indian woman's journey through the cast system of the 1950's . I enjoyed the subtle education of the India culture. The story is well presented and believable. The author gives insight to how our own self image can shift when influenced by circumstance.