The Henna Artist

By: Alka Joshi

Narrated by: Sneha Mathan

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 complete Jaipur Trilogy:

• Book 1: The Henna Artist
• Book 2: The Secret Keeper of Jaipur
• Book 3: The Perfumist of Paris

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

Women's difficult decisions

A compelling classic! Strong women trying to make their own decisions about their bodies in the 1950s, India. This could be about any country, time period, or religion. Women trying to make choices about their own bodies.

Loved getting to view a little bit of Indian culture.

Loved the plot. Loved the narration. A very good book. Can’t wait to listen to the next book in the series.

Lovely and real

Beautiful story which reflects many true facts of life in India. Loved the Narrator and characters.