The Henna Artist (2020) by Alka Joshi revolves around Lakshmi, a gifted henna artist in 1950s Jaipur, who escapes an abusive marriage to build her own life. She services the high-class women of Jaipur, maintaining their secrets as she navigates through the social strata. However, her past catches up when her husband arrives with Radha, her previously unknown younger sister. The situation worsens when Radha falls pregnant by a wealthy patron's son, threatening Lakshmi's hard-earned independence. After several trials and revelations, Lakshmi and Radha ultimately forge a deeper bond. The novel concludes with Lakshmi's vision to create a sanctuary for women to gain independence, mirroring her journey.
Despite The Henna Artist only releasing in 2020, the novel has already spawned two sequels (with more on the way). The Henna Artist received exceptionally positive reviews when it was published. In their review, Publisher's Weekly spoke glowingly of the novel. They wrote, "Joshi's evocative descriptions capture India's sensory ambiance (horse-drawn tongas, pungent cooking fires, incense, and colorful saris), drawing readers deep into her moving story. Joshi masterfully balances a yearning for self-discovery with the need for familial love." Many reviewers felt similarly about the novel. They felt that the characters, especially the novel's protagonist, were relatable and well-drawn and that the novel was well-written.
