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annamay1021's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Miscarriage
elderwoodreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
Personally I found this better than the second book in the trilogy but worse than The Henna Artist. The Henna Artist captured me so strongly and I adored Lakshmi's story. I think this is a satisfying ending to everyone's stories but it did drag quite a bit for thr last hour of the audiobook. If you're on the fence about continuing after reading the second book I recommend at least trying this one out, I think it was worth my time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Racism, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Sexual content
betag1013's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Alcohol, Classism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Death of parent, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Death, Grief, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, and Emotional abuse
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Infidelity
goldenlake's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Bullying, Classism, and Infidelity
arthur_pendrgn's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
How can partners successfully change the boundaries of a marriage? Or children change the boundaries with their parents? Or friends adjust their friends adjust their friendships? How do adults overstep bitterness and forgive themselves and others for the sublimation of their dreams? Can adults balance being accountable to themselves and still be responsible for others?
This works as a stand-alone novel. Joshi fills in the backstory but not in a tedious way (Well, maybe it is for those who have read the others.)
The science of perfume making was interesting to me, but I like to get behind-the-scenes knowledge of things I had never thought about.
This works as a stand-alone novel. Joshi fills in the backstory but not in a tedious way (Well, maybe it is for those who have read the others.)
The science of perfume making was interesting to me, but I like to get behind-the-scenes knowledge of things I had never thought about.
READING PROGRESS
Finished Reading Add a date
June 27, 2023 – Shelved
Post a comment »COMMENTS
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This is the 3rd book in the Henna Artist series, the Jaipur Trilogy. I liked this one almost as much as the first. It is the story of Lakshmi’s younger sister, Radha. In the first book, she became pregnant young and was sent off to Paris. Her baby was given to one of Lakshmi’s friends to raise.
In this book, she has been living in Paris and is a mother of two daughters. She works as a Perfumist, helping to create scents. She is put in charge of developing one for a piece of art, Olympia, 1863 by Edouard Manet. While working on this scent, some of her things mysteriously change. She also is given some freedom to develop the scent, and she goes on a journey which also helps her find herself.
I liked how the story of the perfume merged with her past in several ways. Alka Joshi definitely has a beautiful way of telling a story.
“The measure of us isn’t in the day-to-day. And it’s not in our past or our future. It’s in the fundamental changes we make within ourselves over a lifetime.“ part 2, 52%
“We can’t go back and change anything, beti. But think of what the past has taught you. What it’s taught me is that keeping secrets has a cost.“ part 3, 63%
“I mix my Olympia formula again. I sniff the blotter. It’s her. The goddess of the divan herself. Proud. Wounded. But not defeated. … I realize Olympia is also me, isn’t she? I’ve given my best, but I’ve been used.“ part 3, 75%
“This is a woman betrayed. She doesn’t want revenge. She wants merely for her pain to be witnessed, noted.“ part 3, 78%
In this book, she has been living in Paris and is a mother of two daughters. She works as a Perfumist, helping to create scents. She is put in charge of developing one for a piece of art, Olympia, 1863 by Edouard Manet. While working on this scent, some of her things mysteriously change. She also is given some freedom to develop the scent, and she goes on a journey which also helps her find herself.
I liked how the story of the perfume merged with her past in several ways. Alka Joshi definitely has a beautiful way of telling a story.
“The measure of us isn’t in the day-to-day. And it’s not in our past or our future. It’s in the fundamental changes we make within ourselves over a lifetime.“ part 2, 52%
“We can’t go back and change anything, beti. But think of what the past has taught you. What it’s taught me is that keeping secrets has a cost.“ part 3, 63%
“I mix my Olympia formula again. I sniff the blotter. It’s her. The goddess of the divan herself. Proud. Wounded. But not defeated. … I realize Olympia is also me, isn’t she? I’ve given my best, but I’ve been used.“ part 3, 75%
“This is a woman betrayed. She doesn’t want revenge. She wants merely for her pain to be witnessed, noted.“ part 3, 78%
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
kimveach's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
5.0
This book is an excellent end to The Henna Artist trilogy. I loved reading about Radha's life in Paris and her work as a perfumist. The author expertly wove in elements from the previous books. This book had plot, emotion, and information (on the perfume industry.) It's what I always hope to get from a novel.
The only thing I didn't like in this book (or the previous two) was the liberal use of Hindi and French words without explaining what they meant. There is a glossary in the back of the book, which is cumbersome. And not all words/phrases were there! Many of the words were not able to be deduced in context. It hurt the book's flow to flip back to the glossary page by page. This book series is not the only one where this happens. Editors should realize that this is not fair to readers. This may work better on a Kindle, though I don't know if the Kindle translate works for Hindi.
The only thing I didn't like in this book (or the previous two) was the liberal use of Hindi and French words without explaining what they meant. There is a glossary in the back of the book, which is cumbersome. And not all words/phrases were there! Many of the words were not able to be deduced in context. It hurt the book's flow to flip back to the glossary page by page. This book series is not the only one where this happens. Editors should realize that this is not fair to readers. This may work better on a Kindle, though I don't know if the Kindle translate works for Hindi.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Classism, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Infidelity, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Child death and Pregnancy
citruslimon's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Infidelity
Minor: Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Racism, and Misogyny
dev921's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Abandonment
Moderate: Infertility, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion and Toxic friendship