5/5
This book was fantastic! It was deeply emotionally riveting, and had a lot of characteristics of Indian society that I hadn't known about. While I probably wouldn't recommend basing your opinion and getting your knowledge of India from this book solely, it does speak a lot about the cultural ways in which society progresses and is seen in India. This is especially true about girls and women; the book highlights a lot of ways in which girls and women are oppressed in India; how they have trouble finding work, gaining status, bearing pregnancies, etc.
Basic plot: Lakshimi, a well-known henna artist in the higher societies of Jaipur. Lakshimi has run from her abusive husband, and after several years has managed to establish herself. She is slowly becoming wealthy enough to build her own house, a dream she has been working on ever since she ran from her hometown. Her sister comes to visit, and from there Lakshimi's world sort of spirals.
This book was excellently written. Like I mentioned earlier, it shows a lot about Indian society (and about society in general) and how so many people refuse to respect women based on their choice in work, their clothing, their status, etc. So many people look down on Lakshimi because she touches women's feet while she is drawing her henna.
There are also so many well-written characters. The relationship between Lakshimi and her younger sister blossoms, then wilts, then flowers, as they make their way through Jaipur and try their hardest to get by. It's very emotionally driven; as Lakshimi makes her way through the world, you both feel bad for her and mad at her at the same time, in a way. She's definitely a character you can empathize with, but at times you feel yourself wondering why she's making certain decisions. And then you remember she's a woman in a world where women are treated pretty poorly.
Overall, I believe this book would be great for someone who likes reading about strong, driven, female characters. Lakshimi's life and story was fascinating to read.