Reese's Book Club | May '20: The Henna Artist
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi is the Reese's Book Club x Hello Sunshine pick for May 2020! Here is a brief description from GoodReads: “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…”
For more information about the Author, Reese’s Book Club, or my SPOILER FILLED thoughts on the book - scroll down!
my rating:
Here are some links to purchase the book and/or learn more about Alka Joshi:
Book: amazon.com
Audiobook: audible.com
Alka Joshi’s Website: thehennaartist.com
Alka Joshi’s Instagram: @thealkajoshi
If you would like to find out more about Reese's Book Club and/or follow along as well, here are some helpful links!
Reese's Book Club x Hello Sunshine Website: hello-sunshine.com/book-club
Complete List of Monthly Picks: hello-sunshine.com/post/reeses-book-club-all-picks
Instagram: @reesesbookclub
Goodreads: goodreads.com
*** spoiler alert ***
my thoughts on the book below
What a lovely book! I really enjoyed reading about Lakshmi, about India in the 50’s, and about the dynamics of family and relationships within that culture at the time. The entire time I was reading, I was rooting for Lakshmi to succeed and get what she wanted. That is why I found Radha so intolerable and the book actually frustrated and angered me.
I know that the moral of the story was that Lakshmi needed to become her own woman, not one obedient to the wealthy women she serviced, but seriously - Radha was such a major pain in the ass! To completely destroy everything Lakshmi had worked so hard for and feel no remorse for it?! She was the one who came to Laskshmi, she was the one who was taken in without question, she was the one who knew the consequences of certain actions and proceeded with them anyways because of whatever reasons she may have had. Hell no.
I’m really glad that everything worked out in the end, and I’m really glad that they both ended up with family, which is what they really wanted and need - but sweet baby Jesus, did it really have to be that damn hard? Yes, they would have never ended up in the Himalayas without Radha getting pregnant and that arc would have never happened without that one life changing experience - but Lakshmi had been through so much and sacrificed so much and didn’t deserve to fall so hard for things she didn’t do.
I’m more upset about the social and cultural circumstances than I am with Radha, really. Any kind of injustice towards women infuriates me and I would never have survived if I was born earlier, regardless of what country or culture. But, it was and is a reality for SO MANY, and I can’t imagine having to traverse those unfair, unjust, undeserved hurdles. Sigh.
What did y’all think of the book? Aside from my indignation, I really loved it. I loved Lakshmi and I loved the ending and I wish we got to find out more about the good doctor and what happened with him and Lakshmi. Leave me your thoughts in the comments below!