Source: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for using the mobile app JellyBooks a try. No review of the book was requested or required.
Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is one of my all-time favorite novels, and I have to say, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane is just as good. Just as powerful. Just as amazing.
This novel introduces readers to the Akha minority in China who live in remote mountain villages, sticking with the old traditions and life, long into the modern era. They are not immune, however, to the growing commercialism and modern technology of the world today. Tradition meets modernization. It is both bitter and sweet. Lisa See captures all of this in her novel as we see the community change through the eyes of Li-yan and her family.
Li-yan's teacher, Zhang, takes an interest in her, as she's proven to have an aptitude for success in school. He is a remnant from the Cultural Revolution years before, forced from the city to a rural area where he has since made his home.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane is rich in history as well as culture. Although tea is not something I drink often or know much about, I could not help but become more and more curious, reading about the collection of leaves and the fermenting process of tea produced in the Yunnan Province. The growing popularity in Pu'er' tea, not just in China but world-wide puts the province on the map. Author Lisa See weaves these historical tidbits into the novel in such a way as to make them an essential part of the novel, never boring, and always fascinating.
The first part of the novel takes place during Li-yan's childhood. The reader gets a good feel for her life and family, and also about the Akha culture and beliefs. It was in this early part of the novel I came across a scene that broke my heart into tiny pieces. I had to set the book aside for awhile after that. Whenever we hear or read a story, we always carry with us our own values and personal stories. We can try to set them aside or at least be aware of them when reading about another culture, but there are certain practices and beliefs we may still struggle with or come into direct conflict with our own. I found that to be true reading Jesmyn Ward's Salvage the Bones when it came to the dog fighting. Lisa See's book might have found me in the same place (completely different scenario/no dog fighting), but Li-yan's own struggle with it helped with that. In fact, that one incident is what shapes Li-yan's future choices, for better or worse.
The novel follows Li-yan into her adulthood, as she gives birth to a child, makes the painful choice to abandon the child, and later search out the child. It is a heartbreaking story. Li-yan's culture plays a huge part in the initial choice she makes.
In alternating chapters, readers are introduced to Haley, Li-yan's daughter, who is adopted by a white American family. I liked how Lisa See shares Haley's story alongside her mother's, a chance to see some of the cultural struggles Haley faced, not only as an adopted child but also being raised by parents of a different ethnicity.
This is a beautiful novel that covers a lot of ground. It is well researched and touches on many issues that would make this one perfect for a book club discussion. Lisa See has a gift for creating such real characters and offering us an intimate view into their lives. It is impossible not to become emotionally invested in these characters' lives. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane has so much heart; it is a story about mothers and daughters and the strong bonds of family. It is about tradition as well as progress. And it is about love and fate, as well as being about our choices and their consequences. I loved this book from beginning to end. I hope you will too if you read it.
You can learn more about Lisa See and her books on the author's website. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Stephanie - I hope you like The Tea Girl as much as I did!
Adding this one to my list. I love your summary paragraph, Wendy!
Jenclair - Thank you! I hope you like this one if you read it.
I loved Snow Flower too and you've made me want to read this soon. I can tell you loved it.
Kathy - I enjoy all of Lisa See's books, but Snow Flower has always been my favorite. Now this one too.
Lisa See is a gifted storyteller; I should really read more of her books. And this one has such a great title! I read Shanghai Girls and loved her writing, but thought the story itself was a bit sad.
Lark - She really is. I need to read the rest of her books still. I love the title too. I think all her books are a bit sad, although I'd like to think there is a lot of hope in them too.
This sounds glorious and beautiful and just absolutely wonderful. I have several Lisa See books but haven't read any of them. It sounds like this and Snow Flower are must reads.
Katherine - It is beautiful! I just love her books. I hope you do give her work a try some day.
I haven't read anything by Lisa See yet. This does sound like one of those books that really make a big impact. Glad you enjoyed it so much!
Carole - Thank you! She's one of my favorite authors. I love her writing and stories.
I'm intrigued by the story and the setting, too. I'm a big tea drinker so I'm interested by the tea production, too. I'm glad you enjoyed this book and I'll have to add this to my wishlist.
Melody - I hope you get a chance to read it. It was such a good book.
What a lovely cover. Lisa See used to be an auto buy author for me, but been a while since I read her. I really must catch up!
Kelly - I am really drawn to the cover too. As much as I love her books, I still haven't read all of them. Someday . . .
This sounds like a wonderful book. I haven't read any Lisa See books yet, but clearly I need to give her a try.
Lark - I hope you do give her books a try!