The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

As the trusted confidante of the wealthy, Lakshmi must always protect their secrets, even if it means keeping her own hidden. Escaping an abusive marriage, she ventures alone from her rural village in the 1950s to the bustling pink city of Jaipur. There, she becomes the most sought-after henna artist and advisor for high-class women. Though renowned for her original designs and wise counsel, Lakshmi must navigate carefully to avoid the envious rumors that could destroy her reputation and livelihood. Pursuing her dream of independence, she is taken aback when her estranged husband appears years later with a young girl in tow - a sister she never knew existed. Suddenly, Lakshmi's carefully constructed walls of caution come crumbling down. The Henna Artist offers a captivating and thought-provoking glimpse into a world that is both alluring and brutal. "I was captivated from beginning to end." - REESE WITHERSPOON "With skilled hands