The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi is a novel that tells the story of Lakshmi, a young woman who escapes from an abusive marriage and makes her way to Jaipur in the 1950s. In Jaipur, Lakshmi becomes a highly requested henna artist for the wealthy women of the upper class. She also becomes their confidante, listening to their secrets and problems. However, Lakshmi must keep her own secrets hidden as well, as she cannot reveal her past to anyone.

Throughout the novel, Lakshmi faces many challenges as she tries to build a new life for herself. She must navigate the complex social hierarchy of Jaipur and deal with the expectations placed upon her as a henna artist. She also struggles with her own desires and ambitions, which conflict with the traditional roles assigned to women in Indian society.

As Lakshmi’s reputation grows, she attracts the attention of several powerful men who offer her opportunities for advancement. However, these opportunities come with strings attached, and Lakshmi must decide whether to compromise her values in order to achieve success.

Overall, The Henna Artist is a compelling story about one woman’s journey towards independence and self-discovery in a society that seeks to limit her potential.

• The Henna Artist

• By: Alka Joshi
• Narrated by: Sneha Mathan

A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick

“Captivated me from the first chapter to the final page.” (Reese Witherspoon)

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.

Escaping from an abusive marriage, 17-year-old Lakshmi arrives alone in the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most in-demand henna artist – and soulmate. – of wealthy upper-class women. But trusted with the secrets of the rich, she was never able to reveal hers….

Known for her unique designs and wise advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid jealous gossip that could destroy her reputation and livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who follows her years later, along with an ardent young woman – a sister whom Lakshmi never knew. Suddenly, the prudence she had carefully cultivated to protect was threatened. She persists, applies her talents, and uplifts those around her like her.

“Emotional and moving… Josh masterfully balances his thirst for self-discovery with his need for family affection.” (Weekly Publisher)

Find Jaipur’s Secret Keeper from New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi!

This debut novel is impossible to put down and swept me away on a tantalizing journey through 1950s Jaipur. I found the entire cast of characters fully realized in the author’s lyrical words, and the story replete with color and culture. I especially enjoyed the clever interplay of the audience’s realizations with the protagonist’s, along with her internal discourse as she is faced with the hefty weight of fate and external machinations balancing on a knife’s edge. Phenomenal book!

Audiobookss audio player

Hi everyone, please be noticed that the Audio player doesn't play next track on IOS version < 15.6. If you are facing that issue, just upgrade your IOS to version 15.6 to fix it. Enjoy!