Alka Joshi draws an evocative mid-century portrait of a woman fighting for independence and security in her debut novel, The Henna Artist. After fleeing her abusive husband, Lakshmi Shastri has made a name for herself drawing elaborate henna designs for Jaipur's wealthy women. Along with her intricate designs, Lakshmi provides special sweets and teas for her clients to cure headaches, stimulate desire and (secretly) prevent unwanted pregnancies. But just as Lakshmi is close to achieving financial stability, the arrival of her teenage sister, Radha, upends her carefully constructed world.
Narrated by Lakshmi, Joshi's novel takes readers from the elegant mansions of Jaipur's upper crust to the noisy, chaotic markets where Lakshmi and her savvy street-urchin assistant, Malik, buy the supplies for her business. Already juggling a full appointment book and overseeing the construction of her house, Lakshmi must also take charge of Radha, who has made her way to Jaipur after becoming orphaned. The sisters share the same fierce pride and dogged determination, which serve them well but cause them to clash often. Radha's impulsive decisions, and Lakshmi's reactions, will have far-reaching consequences for them both. Through her strong female characters--Lakshmi, Radha, Lakshmi's wealthy clients and even the city's two maharanis--Joshi's narrative highlights the personal, economic and social challenges of being a woman in a traditional but rapidly changing society. The Henna Artist is a lushly detailed story of family, womanhood and finding the courage to make difficult choices. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams