Book Review: The Henna Artist

You know those times when you just want to find the perfect spot on your couch and snuggle in with a blanket and a cup of tea and sit for hours with a book that you can’t put down? The Henna Artist brought out that feeling for me.

It’s a complex story centered around Lakshmi, a sought-after henna artist in Jaipur, India in the 1950s working on creating the life of her dreams. Her job brings her into the homes of her clients where she learns intimate details of their lives, but she must tread carefully to maintain her status in the challenging caste-system of India. Her life becomes even more precarious when several facets of her past become part of her present and she is forced to come to terms with who she used to be, who she is now, and who she wants to be in the future.

There are many interesting characters, all with their own flaws, and they’re realistic, although some are more developed than others. There are many descriptions of life in the “Pink City” and the book gives you a good glimpse into life in India in the 1950s.

If you like stories about strong (but not perfect) women, stories about an ancient and artistic form of healing, and stories set in colorful India, you’ll enjoy this one. There’s a lot to talk about it, so it’s a great one for book clubs–check out our Book Club Guide for The Henna Artist!

(Trigger warning: as mentioned, A LOT happens in this book. If you have issues around spousal abuse, abortion, marital affairs, and/or childhood pregnancy and adoption, might be best to skip this.)

*I was given a version of this book for free in exchange for an honest book review.