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The Henna Artist
- Narrated by: Sneha Mathan
- Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins
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The Henna Artist
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Editorial reviews
A vivid and emotive work of fiction, The Henna Artist takes you to the Pink City of Jaipur, India, in the 1950s and along on a young woman’s desperate search for freedom, fulfilment, and a chance to shape her own destiny.
Long cursed as 'the bad luck girl', Lakshmi finally takes action to change her fate. At age 17, she flees her abusive marriage, travels alone to Jaipur and applies her ingenuity and remarkable talent to a livelihood. She becomes a highly sought out henna artist, earning the admiration and trust of wealthy, upper-class women. While taking great pride and pleasure in her work, Lakshmi is careful to avoid the jealous gossips that could ruin her reputation. She is also plagued by the fear that the secrets of her past — and her husband — will one day catch up with her.
The Henna Artist tells the gripping story of a young woman’s journey to build a life for herself in a society struggling between the traditional and the modern, beauty and brutality. In her debut novel, Alka Joshi masterfully weaves a coming of age tale against a lush backdrop of India in the post-Raj era.
Born in India, Joshi emigrated to the United States with her family as a child. She fell in love with her native country and discovered her calling as an author when she returned to India with her mother as an adult. Surrounded by India’s rich, vibrant culture, she wanted to learn more about its history and her mother’s life there as a girl and a young woman. A deeply personal novel, The Henna Artist was born from that experience and the questions they sparked, which led to extensive research and several return trips to India.
Sumptuously narrated by Sneha Mathan, this ambitious, bold, beautifully-crafted audiobook will hook you from the first word and take you on a journey through India. The Henna Artist is a moving story of courage, escape, destiny and finding your own path. The next instalment in Lakshmi’s journey, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, is available now.
Publisher's Summary
A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick
"This vivid story is so rich and complex...reading about Lakshmi's journey from escaping an abusive marriage to becoming one of the most sought-after henna artists in Jaipur captivated me from the first chapter to the final page." (Reese Witherspoon)
Escaping from an abusive marriage, 17-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....
Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow-a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.
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.
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What listeners say about The Henna Artist
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Heather
- 18-01-2022
Excellent
I have really enjoyed this book, the narration was great, storyline interesting. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- julee latimer
- 26-04-2022
Wonderful
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Could almost smell the oils and herbs, taste the food and see the sights. Highly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- paula astrinos
- 22-09-2023
Lovely all round thank you
What a truly lovely story and the narrators voice & tone was just right. Thank you!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Julie Findlater
- 16-11-2023
Transported to India
I loved this book! The story, entrancing; the narrator, sublime. Highly recommend, perfect for a lazy holiday read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tania Gammage
- 15-08-2021
The Henna Artist is totally addictive
Loved this immensely, finished in 2 days, couldn't stop listening til it was finished x
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 10-08-2021
A masterpiece
This is the best book I have listened to in 2021.
The story is compelling, has brilliant twists and turns & is full of rich culture.
Highly recommend this to everyone!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- bethelcallin
- 27-08-2021
BofB
What a wonderful story or is it a diary story? I did love the timeline as it conjured up more visible pictures of the era & attitude of ppl of that time. 🚐🪶
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 02-09-2021
Great read
Must admit I really enjoyed every page of this book. Not my normal genre but so glad I came across this title and decided to listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 26-09-2021
Addictive and enriching
A beautiful story of sacrifice, love, passion and family. This audiobook was an addictive and colourful depiction of 1950s India. Highly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 06-01-2022
I loved every second!
This book is just so beautifully written and the audible performance by Sneha Mathan is perfection. From the beginning I knew I was hooked - the writing is so descriptive but not in an overly intense way making it a joy to listen to and I had several late nights where I couldn’t stop listening but at the same time I didn’t want it to finish. Thank you to Alka for writing such a quality piece of work. I can’t wait to listen to the next book!
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