Beautifully detailed, the journey of Lakshmi, The Henna Artist transports the reader into 1950’s India, engaging all of your senses. When Lakshmi escapes an abusive husband from an arranged marriage she uses her strength, wisdom and knowledge of herbal remedies to build an intricately woven life with the Indian elite as a henna artist. I struggled not to rush through this page turning adventure as to savor it like one of Lakshmi’s treats with a warm cup of chai tea.