Perfumist of Paris
India

Perfumist of Paris

by Alka Joshi

Identity & Belonging Historical Fiction Fiction 2023

Summary

The Perfumist of Paris follows Radha, the younger sister introduced in The Henna Artist, as she builds a career in the world of perfumery in 1970s Paris. Having developed her talent for creating fragrances, Radha works to establish herself professionally while navigating marriage, motherhood, and the expectations placed upon her as an Indian woman living abroad. Her ambition to become an accomplished perfumer requires her to make difficult choices about the balance between her professional aspirations and her responsibilities to her family. As she encounters new opportunities and challenges, Radha must confront questions about independence, belonging, and the kind of future she wants to create. Joshi explores the relationship between creativity and self-expression, using the evocative world of perfume to examine memory, cultural heritage, and the complex process of developing an identity that embraces both personal ambition and family ties.

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About the author
Alka Joshi
Alka Joshi

Alka Joshi is an Indian-American novelist born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, in 1950. She moved to the United States with her family when she was nine years old, and her experiences navigating different cultures have influenced her exploration of identity, belonging, and women’s lives. Before becoming a novelist, she worked in advertising and marketing and later pursued creative writing. Her debut novel, The Henna Artist (2020), became a New York Times bestseller and was selected for Reese Witherspoon’s book club. Set in 1950s Jaipur, it follows Lakshmi, a skilled henna artist who seeks independence while navigating the social expectations and inequalities of post-independence India. The novel was followed by The Secret Keeper of Jaipur (2021) and The Perfumist of Paris (2023), completing the Jaipur Trilogy. Through richly detailed historical settings and compelling female characters, Joshi explores women’s autonomy, class divisions, family bonds, and the tensions between tradition and modernity. Her fiction brings the cultural richness of India to an international readership while examining universal questions of ambition and self-determination.

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Details
Published
2023
Author
Alka Joshi