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Jan 04, 2018cknightkc rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I can easily lose myself in any Lisa See novel, and THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE is no exception. Once again See has done her research and crafted a compelling tale which not only entertains but expands readers’ appreciation for Chinese history, culture, and traditions. Many universal themes like family, particularly mothers and daughters, coming of age, love, sacrifice, and redemption are present here. In addition the author incorporates many issues so relevant in today’s world within the intricately woven plot: women’s rights, the effects of globalization on society, as well as the consequences of adopting Chinese girls by the West. At the heart of the novel is the role tea plays in the lives of the protagonists, and my one criticism is that there are times when See describes all things “tea” to excess (its cultivation, processing, marketing, and so on) that the narrative flow gets bogged down. Comparisons to wine are obvious. Of course I’m not a tea drinker, but if anything could prompt me to become one it would be this excellent book.