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caitlinnnn44's review
emotional
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
3.0
amadacla's review against another edition
5.0
Un meraviglioso romanzo in cui immergersi, capace di trasportarti in una dimensione geografica, storica e sociale profondamente avvolgente. C’è tutta la potenza e la magia del buon libro, che ti trascina in un’altra realtà, come se la stessi vivendo con i protagonisti. Una bellissima storia che insegna a rialzarsi dopo una sconfitta e ad investire sempre sui valori che ci rendono veramente fieri.
Lakshmi è una donna nata e vissuta in India che, sopravvissuta a scelte coraggiose di emancipazione femminile, lascia, suo malgrado, un segno indelebile in chi la incontra, a dispetto dei suoi meravigliosi disegni creati con l’henné che invece sono destinati a sparire con il tempo.
Il suo carisma la rende magnetica e sono tante le persone che si affidano a lei consegnandole fiduciose speranze, desideri, ambizioni, vanità, e persino il destino di vite.
La conoscenza della giusta combinazione di ingredienti e dell’accurato dosaggio di oli essenziali, erbe aromatiche, piante medicinali, nonché di riti e superstizioni, per curare i suoi clienti l’ha appresa dalla sua Saas (suocera) che, ironia della sorte, ha dato a Lakshmi gli strumenti per affrancarsi da un marito padrone.
Ma trattasi di nozioni rese ancora più efficaci perché sorrette e ispirate da un talento fondato su una speciale sensibilità verso le debolezze e le forze altrui, su una percezione dell’animo ed empatia che desta ammirazione anche nelle rivali.
Come essere capaci di riconoscere e mettere al servizio degli altri i nostri talenti, lo insegna questa eroica protagonista.
Lakshmi è una donna nata e vissuta in India che, sopravvissuta a scelte coraggiose di emancipazione femminile, lascia, suo malgrado, un segno indelebile in chi la incontra, a dispetto dei suoi meravigliosi disegni creati con l’henné che invece sono destinati a sparire con il tempo.
Il suo carisma la rende magnetica e sono tante le persone che si affidano a lei consegnandole fiduciose speranze, desideri, ambizioni, vanità, e persino il destino di vite.
La conoscenza della giusta combinazione di ingredienti e dell’accurato dosaggio di oli essenziali, erbe aromatiche, piante medicinali, nonché di riti e superstizioni, per curare i suoi clienti l’ha appresa dalla sua Saas (suocera) che, ironia della sorte, ha dato a Lakshmi gli strumenti per affrancarsi da un marito padrone.
Ma trattasi di nozioni rese ancora più efficaci perché sorrette e ispirate da un talento fondato su una speciale sensibilità verso le debolezze e le forze altrui, su una percezione dell’animo ed empatia che desta ammirazione anche nelle rivali.
Come essere capaci di riconoscere e mettere al servizio degli altri i nostri talenti, lo insegna questa eroica protagonista.
lawnerd15's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alishasyed10's review
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sam5's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
emmasbookishself's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
“Today’s henna artists continue to create an increasingly elaborate, intricate and unique designs even in the absence of a special occasion. The ability of an artist to customize the design to the wearer, no matter their geographical location, allows the art of henna to transcend culture, religious beliefs or ethnicity.”
Lakshmi Shashtri escapes an arranged and abusive marriage at the age of seventeen, to the beautiful city, Jaipur. Over the course of thirteen years Lakshmi has taken what she learned from her former Saas (mother-in-law) and gives women in her community choice over their bodies, healing and different therapies. She also learns the practice of henna, and has built a well-known business with high-end-clientele.
Lakshmi has hopes of bringing her parents to Jaipur so they can indulge in this life that she has built. However, a sister she didn’t know existed turns up with her husband Hari, and Lakshmi’s life is turned upside down. The ambitious woman that she is begins to understand that her sister showing up is a gift, and guides her through some tough choices and loss but by the end Lakshmi’s heart and home and overflowing with love.
Reproductive choice and freedom, the class system and social standing, family relations and culture are at the heart of this story.
Lakshmi Shashtri escapes an arranged and abusive marriage at the age of seventeen, to the beautiful city, Jaipur. Over the course of thirteen years Lakshmi has taken what she learned from her former Saas (mother-in-law) and gives women in her community choice over their bodies, healing and different therapies. She also learns the practice of henna, and has built a well-known business with high-end-clientele.
Lakshmi has hopes of bringing her parents to Jaipur so they can indulge in this life that she has built. However, a sister she didn’t know existed turns up with her husband Hari, and Lakshmi’s life is turned upside down. The ambitious woman that she is begins to understand that her sister showing up is a gift, and guides her through some tough choices and loss but by the end Lakshmi’s heart and home and overflowing with love.
Reproductive choice and freedom, the class system and social standing, family relations and culture are at the heart of this story.
sim_4520's review against another edition
5.0
This book drag me on a marvelous journey taking place in Pink City, a unique place in Rajasthan named Jaipur… During your read, you smell all those herbs, visualize all those vivid colors, touch those exotic handcrafts, art pieces, and jewelry, and feel the soul of the city calling you! I felt like I was in an eccentric time travel.
The story centered on 17 years old Lakshmi, another victim of domestic violence, who left her old life behind by moving to Jaipur and becoming an aspiring Henna artist. She works too hard to gain a respectful place, earning her customers' complete trust with her talented work, saving every penny to own a house of her own shortly.
But her husband’s sudden appearance along with her thirteen years old sister Radha changes everything. She’s so close to losing everything she’s worked so hard. She came to face new challenges. Lakshmi has to face whatever she hears from her clients. She has to start a new journey in her life as Radha comes along.
The plot is amazing representing the high-class women on one side who are bound to the customs of society, being vulnerable but pretending to be powerful. on the other hand, there is Lakshmi and Radha, they both crossed the boundaries to design their life the way they wanted. The story writing style is beautiful and everything is represented realistic and beautifully in the book. no character disappointed me at any point.
Characters
♦️ Lakshmi: a 30- year old henna artist who is strong and beautiful, the way she dealt with every situation is amazing. I wish she could get all the happiness in life.
♦️ Radha: Lakshmi's younger sister who is as brave and beautiful as Lakshmi. She went on a whole new journey to Jaipur, being a teenager she is curious and naive and wants to experience everything, which gets her into trouble but in the end, she is mature like her sister.
♦️ Malik: Lakshmi's servant boy, who is smart and funny, he always stayed with Lakshmi. I like his character in the story.
These are the 3 main characters of the story, beside these 3 there are a lot of characters who contribute equally to the story.
I highly recommend someone open to taking a realistic, sentimental, meaningful, heartwarming, intense journey to enjoy a great written women’s fiction.
The story centered on 17 years old Lakshmi, another victim of domestic violence, who left her old life behind by moving to Jaipur and becoming an aspiring Henna artist. She works too hard to gain a respectful place, earning her customers' complete trust with her talented work, saving every penny to own a house of her own shortly.
But her husband’s sudden appearance along with her thirteen years old sister Radha changes everything. She’s so close to losing everything she’s worked so hard. She came to face new challenges. Lakshmi has to face whatever she hears from her clients. She has to start a new journey in her life as Radha comes along.
The plot is amazing representing the high-class women on one side who are bound to the customs of society, being vulnerable but pretending to be powerful. on the other hand, there is Lakshmi and Radha, they both crossed the boundaries to design their life the way they wanted. The story writing style is beautiful and everything is represented realistic and beautifully in the book. no character disappointed me at any point.
Characters
♦️ Lakshmi: a 30- year old henna artist who is strong and beautiful, the way she dealt with every situation is amazing. I wish she could get all the happiness in life.
♦️ Radha: Lakshmi's younger sister who is as brave and beautiful as Lakshmi. She went on a whole new journey to Jaipur, being a teenager she is curious and naive and wants to experience everything, which gets her into trouble but in the end, she is mature like her sister.
♦️ Malik: Lakshmi's servant boy, who is smart and funny, he always stayed with Lakshmi. I like his character in the story.
These are the 3 main characters of the story, beside these 3 there are a lot of characters who contribute equally to the story.
I highly recommend someone open to taking a realistic, sentimental, meaningful, heartwarming, intense journey to enjoy a great written women’s fiction.
thatnatiam's review
4.0
Fascinating read and insight into some traditional Indian culture and experiences. Great story too and beautifully written. Content warning: one sexually explicit scene.
astoms's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5