Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Henna Artist

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

33 reviews

sknappy1's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Hands down, one of the best books I've read in decades. It takes place in the 1950s in Jaipur, and Joshi tackles important women's issues, especially reproductive struggles, including contraception, abortion, infertility, teen pregnancy, and adoption. The main character, Lakshmi, left an abusive marriage and struck out on her own. She has created her own successful henna business, climbing up the ladder by serving the higher-up elite women of Jaipur. On the side, she also creates herbal remedies for women to help them have control over their own lives, such herbal teas to prevent pregnancy, abort an unwanted one, or to increase fertility for those struggling to conceive. Years later, a sister that she didn't even know that she had shows up at her door. Everything changes for her as she takes her sister under her wing and as the two learn to understand one another. So much about social status is discussed in this book as well. There are moments that will break your heart. Lakshmi is a strong and clever main character who fights for her success and independence, as well as for that of the women around her. The Henna Artist is a beautiful, moving, and engaging book that had me hooked from the beginning. Highly recommend. Five stars.

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sedgewren's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

A heartwarming, dynamic story with believably flawed and sympathetic characters that are entwined in India's deep culture and caste hierarchy. The audiobook was narrated and produced beautifully. All the loose ends were neatly tied up, which was satisfying but I found it slightly too neat. Malek and the parakeet were my favourite characters, and I greatly enjoyed the vibrant depictions of Rajasthani traditions and society.

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readingnormal's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A nice historical fiction read. It was interesting to read from the perspective of 1950s India and the author does a good job of weaving the culture and norms of the time while also challenging some of ways in which those norms oppressed and also how some people might overcome marginalization at the time. The characters are well written because they all have strong motives and different ways about achieving their goals. It can feel a bit slow at different parts and bit rushed at others but there’s good development.

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sleepybears4237's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book. I flew through it, eager to know the secrets of each page. The characters are flawed, and lovable. The stories are fraught with emotion and complications.

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