Alka Joshi

Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist--and confidante--to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own. Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow--a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.

The Henna Artist

A NEW NOVEL BY THE AUTHOR OF THE HENNA ARTIST, A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK "Captivated me from the first chapter to the last page." --Reese Witherspoon on The Henna Artist In New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi's intriguing new novel, henna artist Lakshmi arranges for her protégé, Malik, to intern at the Jaipur Palace in this tale rich in character, atmosphere, and lavish storytelling. It's the spring of 1969, and Lakshmi, now married to Dr. Jay Kumar, directs the Healing Garden in Shimla. Malik has finished his private school education. At twenty, he has just met a young woman named Nimmi when he leaveS to apprentice at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their latest project: a state-of-the-art cinema. Malik soon finds that not much has changed as he navigates the Pink City of his childhood. Power and money still move seamlessly among the wealthy class, and favors flow from Jaipur's Royal Palace, but only if certain secrets remain buried. When the cinema's balcony tragically collapses on opening night, blame is placed where it is convenient. But Malik suspects something far darker and sets out to uncover the truth. As a former street child, he always knew to keep his own counsel; it's a lesson that will serve him as he untangles a web of lies.

A Novel

The Royal Jewel Cinema

It’s the spring of 1969, and Lakshmi, now married to Dr. Jay Kumar, directs the Healing Garden in Shimla. Malik has finished his private school education. At twenty, he has just met a young woman named Nimmi when he leaves to apprentice at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their latest project: a state-of-the-art cinema.

Malik soon finds that not much has changed as he navigates the Pink City of his childhood. Power and money still move seamlessly among the wealthy class, and favors flow from Jaipur’s Royal Palace, but only if certain secrets remain buried. When the cinema’s balcony tragically collapses on opening night, blame is placed where it is convenient. But Malik suspects something far darker and sets out to uncover the truth. As a former street child, he always knew to keep his own counsel; it’s a lesson that will serve him as he untangles a web of lies.

In New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi’s intriguing new novel, henna artist Lakshmi arranges for her protégé, Malik, to intern at the Jaipur Palace in this tale rich in character, atmosphere, and lavish storytelling.

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur

Perfumist of Paris

The final chapter in Alka Joshi’s New York Times bestselling Jaipur trilogy takes readers to 1970s Paris where Radha’s budding career as a perfumer must compete with the demands of her family and the secrets of her past. Paris, 1974. Radha is now thirty-two and living in Paris with her husband, Pierre, and their two daughters. She still grieves for the baby boy she gave up years ago, when she was only a child herself, but she loves being a mother to her daughters, and she’s finally found her passion — the treasure trove of scents. When her friend’s grandfather offered her a job at his parfumerie, she quickly discovered she had a talent — she could find the perfect fragrance for any customer who walked in the door. Now, ten years later, she’s working for a master perfumer, helping to design completely new fragrances for clients and building her career one scent at a time. She only wishes Pierre could understand her need to work. She feels his frustration, but she can’t give up this thing that drives her. Tasked with her first major project, Radha travels to India where she enlists the help of her sister, Lakshmi, and the courtesans of Agra — women who use the power of fragrance to seduce, tease, and entice. She’s on the cusp of a breakthrough when she finds out the son she never told her husband about is heading to Paris to find her — upending her carefully managed world and threatening to destroy a vulnerable marriage.

The Perfumist of Paris

From the New York Times bestselling author of THE HENNA ARTIST, this sweeping novel follows a young Anglo-Indian nurse who embarks on a journey from her home in Bombay, through Prague, Florence, Paris, and London, to uncover a mystery and prove her innocence after a famous painter dies in her care.

When renouned painter Mira Novak arrives at Wadia hospital in Bombay after a miscarriage, she's expected to make a quick recovery, and Sona is excited to spend time with the worldly woman who shares her half-Indian identity, even if that's where their similarities end. Sona is enraptured by Mira's stories of her travels, and shocked by accounts of the many lovers she's left scattered through Europe. Over the course of a week, Mira befriends Sona, seeing in her something bigger than the small life she's living with her mother. Mira is released from the hospital just in time to attend a lavish engagement party where all of Bombay society. But the next day, Mira is readmitted to the hospital in worse condition than before, and when she dies under mysterious circumstances, Sona immediately falls under suspicion.

Before leaving the hospital in disgrace, Sona is given a note Mira left for her, along with her four favorite paintings. But how could she have known to leave a note if she didn't know she was going to die? The note sends Sona on a mission to deliver three of the paintings—the first to Petra, Mira's childhood friend and first love in Prague; the second to her art dealer Josephine in Paris; the third to her first painting tutor, Paolo, with whom both Mira and her mother had affairs. As Sona uncovers Mira's history, she learns that the charming facade she'd come to know was only one part of a complicated and sometimes cruel woman. But can she discover what really happened to Mira and exonerate herself?

Along the way, Sona also comes to terms with her own complex history and the English father who deserted her and her mother in India so many years ago. In the end, she'll discover that we are all made up of pieces, and only by seeing the world do we learn to see ourselves.

Six Days in Bombay

Um retrato vívido e irresistível da luta de uma mulher em busca de realização pessoal e profissional, em uma sociedade que oscila entre a tradição e a modernidade. A pintora de henna abre ao leitor a porta para um mundo — a Índia pós-independência — que é ao mesmo tempo exuberante e encantador, duro e cruel. Fugindo de um casamento abusivo, Lakshmi, de dezessete anos, acaba indo parar na vibrante Cidade Rosa de Jaipur, nos anos 50. Ali, ela se torna a artista de henna — e confidente — mais requisitada pelas mulheres da alta sociedade indiana. Mas, guardando os segredos dos ricos, ela jamais pode revelar os seus próprios... Conhecida por seus desenhos maravilhosamente intrincados e pelos conselhos sábios, Lakshmi deve agir com discrição e cuidado para evitar as fofocas invejosas que poderiam destruir sua reputação e acabar com seu sustento. Enquanto persegue o sonho de ser independente, ela é surpreendida por seu marido, que a localizou depois de muitos anos e ainda trouxe uma jovem espirituosa a tiracolo — uma irmã que Lakshmi nunca soube que tinha. De repente, a vida que ela criou para si com tanto cuidado é ameaçada. Lakshmi está determinada a seguir em frente e conquistar tudo o que deseja, mas o passado pode se colocar em seu caminho. Com personagens vibrantes, cenários suntuosos e prosa envolvente, A pintora de henna é uma leitura inesquecível. "Rico em detalhes e cheio de sabores e texturas, A pintora de henna é um fabuloso vislumbre da cultura indiana nos anos 1950." - BookPage "Um livro eloquente e emocionante... Joshi equilibra com maestria o desejo de autodescoberta com a necessidade de amor familiar." - Publishers Weekly "Um romance de estreia admirável e interessante sobre um tema necessário — o equilíbrio entre família e ambição pessoal —, que permite aos leitores escapar para um lugar repleto de prazeres sensoriais." - San Francisco Chronicle "Joshi construiu um vislumbre fascinante do passado, com uma heroína obstinada pela qual vale a pena torcer." - Booklist "Uma história inspiradora que salienta o poder da família. Para fãs dos romances de Kristin Hannah." - Library Journal

A pintora de henna

Aos dezassete anos, Lakshmi foge de um casamento arranjado e ruma a Jaipur, a vibrante “metrópole cor de rosa”. É lá que se reinventa como artista, conseguindo tornar-se tatuadora de hena das mulheres mais ricas da cidade, que a buscam atraídas pelo talento mas também pelos seus poderes de curandeira e pela sua discrição como confidente. Mas embora muitos segredos lhe sejam revelados, os dela têm de permanecer guardados a sete chaves. À medida que a popularidade de Lakshmi aumenta, também os seus esforços para proteger a reputação e a carreira se intensificam. A ameaça, porém, não tarda a bater-lhe à porta: o marido encontrou-a, tem um plano, e não está sozinho, vem acompanhado de uma menina de treze anos, Radha, a irmã que a Lakshmi não sabia ter. Radha é curiosa e rebelde, uma “combinação perigosa” que preocupa Lakshmi. Agora que as vidas de ambas estão intrinsecamente ligadas, será ela capaz de manter a liberdade que conquistou a pulso e, ainda assim, proteger a irmã? Exótico e envolvente, A Tatuadora de Jaipur é um retrato fulgurante de um país e de uma mulher. Há algo de mítico (e místico) na sabedoria ancestral de Lakshmi e na sua ânsia por liberdade numa sociedade que oscila ainda entre as velhas tradições e a modernidade, um mundo que é simultaneamente sumptuoso e fascinante, austero e cruel. Esta é uma história de amor-próprio e perseverança, de vingança... e perdão.

A Tatuadora de Jaipur

Изрисувано с къна

Alka Joshi abre las puertas a los aromas, las texturas y los ecos de un mundo sensual y fascinante en una novela que es también un homenaje a su madre y a las mujeres de la India.

Una mujer en busca de sus sueños en la ciudad de Jaipur

La artista de henna

L'arte dell'henné a Jaipur

Alka Joshi’s The Henna Artist (2020) is a historical fiction novel set in 1950s Jaipur, India, featuring Lakshmi Shastri, a courageous, independent woman who escapes an abusive marriage to become a sought-after henna artist for wealthy upper-class women. She navigates a patriarchal society, balancing her secret, independent life with her role as a trusted confidante to her elite clientele. 

"A sparkling travelogue and a poignant journey of self-discovery all in one. . . . Alka Joshi is simply the best!" —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Rose Code From the New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist, this sweeping novel of identity and self-discovery takes readers from Bombay to Prague, Florence, Paris and London, to uncover the mystery behind a famous painter's death. When renowned painter Mira Novak arrives at Wadia hospital in Bombay after a miscarriage, she's expected to make a quick recovery, and her nurse, Sona, is excited to learn more about the vivacious artist who shares her half-Indian identity. Sona, yearning for a larger life, finds herself carried away by Mira's stories of her travels and exploits and is shocked by accounts of the many lovers the painter has left scattered throughout Europe. When Mira dies quite suddenly and mysteriously, Sona falls under suspicion, and her quiet life is upended. The key to proving Sona's innocence may lie in a cryptic note and four paintings Mira left in her care, sending the young woman on a mission to visit the painter's former friends and lovers across a tumultuous Europe teetering toward war. On the precipice of discovering her own identity, Sona learns that the painter's charming facade hid a far more complicated, troubled soul. In her first stand-alone novel since her bestselling debut, The Henna Artist, Alka Joshi uses the life of painter Amrita Sher-Gil, the "Frida Kahlo of India," as inspiration for the story's beginning to explore how far we'll travel to determine where we truly belong. Discover more novels from Alka Joshi: THE HENNA ARTIST THE SECRET KEEPER OF JAIPUR THE PERFUMIST OF PARIS

A continent-spanning historical novel of friendship, identity, and mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist

THE NEW YORK TIMES BETSELLING TRILOGY "Captivated me from the first chapter to the final page."—Reese Witherspoon "Powerful and evocative.” —Kate Quinn The Henna Artist A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK Vivid and compelling, The Henna Artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and cruel. Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own. Years later, she is confronted by her husband who has tracked her down with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. The Secret Keeper of Jaipur It’s the spring of 1969 and Lakshmi now directs the Healing Garden in Shimla. Malik, her protégé, has finished his private school education, and at twenty, he leaves to apprentice at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their latest project: a state-of-the-art cinema. Malik soon finds that power and money move seamlessly among the wealthy class, and favors flow from Jaipur’s Royal Palace, but only if certain secrets remain buried. When the cinema’s balcony tragically collapses on opening night, blame is placed where it is convenient. But Malik suspects something far darker and sets out to uncover the truth. The Perfumist of Paris Paris, 1974. Radha, Lakshmi's younger sister, is living in Paris with her husband and their two daughters, to whom she is devoted, when she finally discovers her passion—the treasure trove of scents. She has an exciting and challenging position working for a master perfumer, helping to design completely new fragrances for clients and building her career one scent at a time. She only wishes Pierre could understand her need to work. She feels his frustration, but she can’t give up this thing that drives her. Tasked with her first major project, Radha travels to India, where she enlists the help of her sister, Lakshmi, and the courtesans of Agra—women who use the power of fragrance to seduce, tease and entice. She’s on the cusp of a breakthrough when she finds out a secret she's kept from her husband for years is about to be revealed, upending her carefully managed world and threatening to destroy a vulnerable marriage.

The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, and The Perfumist of Paris

The Complete Jaipur Trilogy

"Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist - and confidante - to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own...Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow - a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does."--Publisher description.

Book Club Kit

"Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist--and confidante--to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own ... Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow--a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does."--Amazon.

(book Discussion Kit)

"A stunning portrait of a woman blossoming into her full power...this is Alka Joshi's best book yet!" --Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye From the author of Reese's Book Club Pick The Henna Artist, the final chapter in Alka Joshi's New York Times bestselling Jaipur trilogy takes readers to 1970s Paris, where Radha's budding career as a perfumer must compete with the demands of her family and the secrets of her past. Paris, 1974. Radha is now living in Paris with her husband, Pierre, and their two daughters. She still grieves for the baby boy she gave up years ago, when she was only a child herself, but she loves being a mother to her daughters, and she's finally found her passion--the treasure trove of scents. She has an exciting and challenging position working for a master perfumer, helping to design completely new fragrances for clients and building her career one scent at a time. She only wishes Pierre could understand her need to work. She feels his frustration, but she can't give up this thing that drives her. Tasked with her first major project, Radha travels to India, where she enlists the help of her sister, Lakshmi, and the courtesans of Agra--women who use the power of fragrance to seduce, tease and entice. She's on the cusp of a breakthrough when she finds out the son she never told her husband about is heading to Paris to find her--upending her carefully managed world and threatening to destroy a vulnerable marriage. The Jaipur Trilogy Book 1: The Henna Artist Book 2: The Secret Keeper of Jaipur Book 3: The Perfumist of Paris

Een prachtige historische roman voor de fans van 'Aria' De zeventienjarige Lakshmi ontsnapt begin jaren vijftig aan een gedwongen huwelijk. Ze verlaat haar boerendorp en komt terecht in Jaipur, de befaamde ‘roze stad’ in de Indiase deelstaat Rajasthan. Lakshmi weet zich staande te houden als hennakunstenaar, haar originele ontwerpen maken haar tot de favoriet van de rijkste vrouwen van de stad. Tijdens het schilderen hoort ze alle geheimen aan van haar klanten en ze moet heel voorzichtig en discreet opereren om niet het slachtoffer te worden van jaloerse en kwaadwillende concurrenten. Het lukt Lakshmi om onafhankelijk te leven, maar op een dag staat haar man voor haar neus met in zijn kielzog een jong meisje – een zusje van wier bestaan Lakshmi niets afwist. Ineens lijkt haar zorgvuldig opgebouwde wereld weer in te storten, en Lakshmi zal moeten vechten om haar vrijheid te behouden.

De henna-kunstenares

Efter att ha lyckats fly från ett arrangerat och våldsamt äktenskap tar sig den unga Lakshmi hela den långa vägen från sin lilla hemby till det pulserande Jaipur. Hon börjar försörja sig som hennakonstnär och snart sprids ryktet om hennes talang – och förmåga att lyssna och ge råd. Det dröjer inte länge förrän hon vinner de rika kvinnornas förtroende. De anförtror henne sina innersta hemligheter, samtidigt som Lakshmi aldrig kommer att kunna avslöja sina egna ... Men precis när Lakshmi äntligen uppfyllt sin dröm om ett självständigt liv dyker hennes man upp. Med sig har han hennes okända syster och plötsligt riskerar allt hon byggt upp att raseras. Hennakonstnären är en färgstark och gripande skildring av en kvinnas kamp för självständighet i ett samhälle som slits mellan det traditionella och det moderna.

Hennakonstnären

Sarah Haywood

Featuring two REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE book club picks, this exclusive collection includes compelling debut novels that will stay with you long after the last page. The Henna Artist Escaping from an abusive arranged marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way from her 1950s rural village to the vibrant pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the henna artist—and confidante—most in demand to the wealthy women of the upper class. Trusted with their secrets, she can never reveal her own… The Cactus For Susan Green, messy emotions don’t fit into the equation of her perfectly ordered life. But suddenly confronted with the loss of her mother and the news that she is about to become a mother herself, Susan’s greatest fear is realized: she is losing control. As her dismantled world falls further into a tailspin, Susan might have a chance at finding real love and learning to love herself, if only she can figure out how to let go.

Alka Joshi

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