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    The Henna Artist: A Novel
    Unavailable
    The Henna Artist: A Novel
    Unavailable
    The Henna Artist: A Novel
    Audiobook10 hours

    The Henna Artist: A Novel

    Written by Alka Joshi

    Narrated by Sneha Mathan

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    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.

    Editor's Note

    Reese’s book club…

    Alka Joshi’s novel is the Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine book club pick for May 2020. “This vivid story is so rich and complex… reading about Lakshmi’s journey from escaping an abusive marriage to becoming one of the most sought-after henna artists in Jaipur captivated me from the first chapter to the final page,” Witherspoon wrote on the club’s website.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateMar 3, 2020
    ISBN9781488208096
    Unavailable
    The Henna Artist: A Novel
    Author

    Alka Joshi

    Born in India and raised in the U.S. since she was nine, Alka Joshi has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. Joshi's debut novel, The Henna Artist,  immediately became a NYT bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub pick, was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, & is in development as a TV series. Her second novel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur (2021), will be followed by a third in 2023.

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    Reviews for The Henna Artist

    4.5/5

    1,011 ratings58 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Excellent! I am so excited that there are more to follow!
    • 5/5
      A beautiful story of love and loss and family set in a fabulously rendered 1950s India. The characters were well developed and real. The narrator was gifted in her delivery. The story swept me away to a faraway land in another time. Loved it.
    • 5/5
      Loved it! Rich plot and very well read. Also rich of Indian culture
    • 5/5
      Great story. Very touching. The narrator was amazing as wel
    • 5/5
      The audio book is great & the book is an easy read
    • 5/5
      Such a great book! The writing style of the author really made you feel like you were one of the characters in the story.
    • 5/5
      I really love the richness of the writing of this author. You never knew what was going to happen next. I hope there's a second part. Very lovely.
    • 3/5
      A very westernized story set in India. It read like a Mira Nair movie, written to appeal to people who have an exotic image of India and all things Indian.
    • 5/5
      I enjoyed listening to this book so much! The story was a mixture of beauty, sadness and hope. I looked forward to hearing what would happen next. Beautiful!
    • 5/5
      Beautifully written story. Eye-opening story about what it was like in 1950s Indian. What went on in the lives of the poor & the rich and most importantly how they intertwined.
    • 5/5
      Highly recommended. A powerful and engaging story. The narration is beautifully done. I love these historical novels that immerse us deeply in a time and place, in this case, post-Independence Jaipur India. Sites and smells and details help to set the stage for a very compelling tale.
    • 5/5
      A book I could not leave for a minute. Pure pleasure
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this story and the nuanced views on women’s reproductive rights in 1950s India. Also the narrator was excellent! Her pronunciations and cadence were a joy to listen to.
    • 5/5
      What a marvelous wonder this book is! It really is amazing. Such a vivid world of complicated people. Like looking in a kaleidoscope! I’m still in awe of all that is packed into this story. I had some hesitation when I started it but it was so immensely captivating. I fell in love with these characters. They are so real, so vivid.

      I was so relieved to find there was a second book. I had to read it immediately after finishing this one. And it was even more enjoyable than this first stupendous story.
    • 5/5
      Interesting and I Loved it. Worth sharing, look forward to finding more from this author.
    • 5/5
      Extraordinary story beautifully told great way to learn about a different culture. And A strong and impressive Female character. Highly recommend
    • 5/5
      The characters were so dear and special. I loved this story.
    • 5/5
      this was a delightful read, and the narrator did it justice.
    • 3/5
      I was fascinated listening to the different beliefs and culture of a society I know very little about. Narrator had a soothing voice. However I am only giving it 3 stars as the story line was a little weak.
    • 5/5
      I loved this so much! Absolutely wonderfully written and narrated work!
    • 5/5
      Such a captivating and beautifully written story. Loved the twists and turns, the funny bits, as well as, the heart breaking ones. The beautiful narration only adds to the experience this book is!!
    • 5/5
      Wonderful book giving insight to a life. I have not known
    • 4/5
      Well written, good pace, excellent character development. I enjoyed it.
    • 5/5
      A great and easy book to listen to. Really enjoyed it
    • 4/5
      Interesting premise, but with an expected ending. I felt that it was too beautifully (and unrealistically) wrapped. My favorite part would be learning about the herbs and its healing properties! Wow!
    • 5/5
      One of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Really looking forward to the second!
    • 5/5
      Captivating, colorful story that I didn’t want to end. Fascinating read on so many levels!!!
    • 5/5
      Just absolutely marvelous. Love the narrators voice and the story gives so much information about the class issues .
    • 5/5
      Easy read. Story took you right in and kept you
    • 5/5
      Smart, interesting and adventurous!
      I was hooked from the very beginning.