Recently read: ‘The Henna Artist’

My book club is reading The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi this month. In this novel, Lakshmi has worked as a henna artist for Jaipur’s elite women for years after fleeing an abusive marriage, carefully constructing her own life and independence as she saves to build a house of her own. Unexpectedly, the sister she didn’t know she had comes to her door. In trying to protect her sister and provide her opportunities, Lakshmi’s plans rapidly unravel.

This book ticks many boxes for me: historical fiction in an international setting featuring a strong woman. (See also The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See.) I appreciate Lakshmi’s struggle for autonomy and ability to overcome obstacles, for which the 1950s setting, the period following India’s independence, seems fitting. I also felt a strong sense of place thanks to the vivid descriptions.

However, the novel missed opportunities to delve into the sisters’ new relationship. In most instances, their interactions are simply terse and uncomfortable. It seems like they never got to know each other, or really made attempts to. The relationship seems one-sided because the reader only hears Lakshmi’s take. Because of this, the novel felt surface-level at times. I think alternating perspectives would have rounded out the story.

I was glad to read a novel set in a country to which I haven’t traveled and whose cultures I know little about. I know more now about the cultural importance of henna and marriage in society, as well as what women’s lives might have been like during the time period.

Recently read: ‘Burnt Shadows’

Yesterday I finished reading Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie. I actually bought this book in Oxford, England about 3 years ago, and forgot about that until I noticed the price on the back was in pounds.

I enjoyed the book, which explores the relationships between a Japanese woman who survived the bombing of Nagasaki, a bright, young Indian man with dreams of becoming a lawyer, an upper-class British family experiencing the collapse of an empire and a marriage, and their children. These relationships endure despite conflict between nations – Japan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States – in pivotal points in history. It was quite fitting that I finished the book on Sept. 11, as the novel progresses through the aftermath of 9/11.It was an educational book for me as well; aside from the United States, I don’t know much about the other countries that are central to the plot of the book.

Shamsie writes beautifully, I think. Within her writing there is wonderful imagery, and I would definitely read more of her novels.