Rich Indian novel!
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
I found the background to this novel set in 1950's Jaipur fascinating. I knew nothing about henna work, well a few vague suppositions, but I was totally engaged by the art Lakshmi practised. I became immersed in her culture. I marvelled at how Lakshmi included henna motifs from other people she'd met, telling their stories. I was totally present as she combined her seemingly magical talent with traditional herbal medicine and her art. The Mindfulness of henna application comes to my thoughts.
Lakshmi had fled an abusive husband. The shame brought upon her family meant she'd been repudiated by her parents. She didn't even know she had a younger sister. Imagine Lakshmi's shock when her husband Hari turns up with this unknown sister, Radha, a young girl of thirteen.
Over the years Lakshmi has built up her business and is nearing her goal of building and owning her own house. Her wonderful assistant, a cocky, shrewd, street kid Malik is a stand out gem and a strong secondary character.
Now this sister, this puzzling girl who is stubborn and strong willed, who has been used to fending for herself and retaliating when she was scorned has thrown her plans askew. The changes wrought to Lakshmi's life are catastrophic to her peace of mind, although eventually enlightening. I will confess my feelings about sister Radha are mixed, as are Lakshmi's.
Lakshmi has built up a clientele of high class, wealthy ladies and is on the verge of bringing off a financial coup, taking her services beyond that of henna artist to marriage broker and more, including coveted access to the palace. Radha threatens this.
Lakshmi had learned from Hari's mother to mix traditional herbal concoctions to benefit her ladies in healing and well being. The darker side is that she also mixes herbs for those very same ladies' husbands and sons to give to their mistresses and even female household servants if necessary. Lakshmi is building towards her goals from mixed sources. In the end those Lakshmi trusted are but paper cutouts and the goals she had, turn to ash. Gossip and vengeance take hold.
I was absorbed by this look at a culture unknown. The realization that though we may do things differently there is still love, jealousy, revenge and redemption for all.
I was shocked by the sordidness of the scene within Lakshmi builder's home and as repulsed by that situation as she, even as she recognizes the builder's wife as a fellow traveller.
This is such a rich and colorful novel--in culture and characters. I was drawn by so many aspects that were startling and unexpected, woven seamlessly throughout. Along with Lakshmi I was alternately pleased, puzzled, hurt and shattered. Truly, Lakshmi's moment of triumph, and reconciliation to the truth of her gift is both redemptive and uplifting.
An amazing read!
A Harlequin - Mira ARC via NetGalley
*****
Lakshmi had fled an abusive husband. The shame brought upon her family meant she'd been repudiated by her parents. She didn't even know she had a younger sister. Imagine Lakshmi's shock when her husband Hari turns up with this unknown sister, Radha, a young girl of thirteen.
Over the years Lakshmi has built up her business and is nearing her goal of building and owning her own house. Her wonderful assistant, a cocky, shrewd, street kid Malik is a stand out gem and a strong secondary character.
Now this sister, this puzzling girl who is stubborn and strong willed, who has been used to fending for herself and retaliating when she was scorned has thrown her plans askew. The changes wrought to Lakshmi's life are catastrophic to her peace of mind, although eventually enlightening. I will confess my feelings about sister Radha are mixed, as are Lakshmi's.
Lakshmi has built up a clientele of high class, wealthy ladies and is on the verge of bringing off a financial coup, taking her services beyond that of henna artist to marriage broker and more, including coveted access to the palace. Radha threatens this.
Lakshmi had learned from Hari's mother to mix traditional herbal concoctions to benefit her ladies in healing and well being. The darker side is that she also mixes herbs for those very same ladies' husbands and sons to give to their mistresses and even female household servants if necessary. Lakshmi is building towards her goals from mixed sources. In the end those Lakshmi trusted are but paper cutouts and the goals she had, turn to ash. Gossip and vengeance take hold.
I was absorbed by this look at a culture unknown. The realization that though we may do things differently there is still love, jealousy, revenge and redemption for all.
I was shocked by the sordidness of the scene within Lakshmi builder's home and as repulsed by that situation as she, even as she recognizes the builder's wife as a fellow traveller.
This is such a rich and colorful novel--in culture and characters. I was drawn by so many aspects that were startling and unexpected, woven seamlessly throughout. Along with Lakshmi I was alternately pleased, puzzled, hurt and shattered. Truly, Lakshmi's moment of triumph, and reconciliation to the truth of her gift is both redemptive and uplifting.
An amazing read!
A Harlequin - Mira ARC via NetGalley
*****
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