THE HENNA ARTIST by
Alka Joshi
India in the 1950’s was not a welcoming place for an
unwilling bride who is also poor and desperate.
Lakshmi, the unwilling bride, takes matter into her own hands and runs
away – successfully. She is taken in by a group of prostitutes in a brothel and
taught the art of Henna. Lakshmi has great skill and is soon able to launch out
on her own with help from a businessman who acts as her banker.
Lakshmi is set to achieve all of her dreams when a sister
she did not know she had shows up on her doorstep seeking protection. The two women clash over talent and fulfillment
as Lakshmi’s world is endangered by innocence and guile. A young beggar boy
Lakshmi had taken on as partner may help one of the two sisters.
India, in all its beauty and cruelty, is ever present in
this tale of women in a closed and oppressive society. THE HENNA ARTIST is well
written with interesting and multi-dimensional characters and a compelling plot.
5 of 5 stars
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