The Henna Artist: A Reese's Book Club Pick (The Jaipur Trilogy, 1)

While Lakshmi claws her way towards the farthest she thinks she can get from her trauma and I love that for her in all her round-about ways I just can't get over the painful pregnancy parts. I get that it's probably realistic, that it makes sense, and all that bunk, but it also just lessened my love for the story with how much it went along with girls being pregnant, not young women, literal children. Feminine power in choosing when and how to be pregnant and raise children. Love it. Give me more always. And tell the stories of those that should never be repeated. But I won't be rereading this ever for the ick factor of it no matter how beautifully written.

I found myself thinking about life's choices and the path it brings you on while reading this book. Reading Lakshmi striving for a better life when the caste system and society culture is against her is a true struggle in India. It is a rare view when you take the pressure out of a parent in one's life but you still face the pressures of the Indian culture. As she weights her options when facing an injustice in a fair and just manner, it is frustrating as the outcome isn't always what she wants but to follow the path afterwards makes it a good novel. Lakshmi truly changed and inspired those around her, even though they may not have realized it for the first few years of interaction. I thought the epilogue at the end was the most beautiful touching part

5/5

Such a great story! It took me a bit to really get into it but after a few chapters I was hooked! It’s a story of strong Indian women in the 1950’s and their ability to survive despite the male dominated society they lived in. Worth the read! I can’t wait for the next story!

I love all of Alka Joshi's books and wrote about this one for Ms. Magazine https://msmagazine.com/2020/05/17/8-books-that-will-transport-you