The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lisa See has taken historic events like China's one child policy and woven them into a story of family, forgiveness, and finding your way through this crazy life. I loved learning about the Akha (Chinese ethnic minority) people, their culture and traditions, and about an amazing, very expensive, chocolate flavored Pu'er Tea. The history and culture are well-researched, placing the reader right in the middle of all the growth and changes in the characters, the times, the opening up of relations between the U.S. and China, and in the country. Some readers have found fault with the story because of unlikely coincidences, but in the beginning the stage is set when the mother tells her family, “No coincidence, no story.” This is a beautifully told story with wonderful prose and it is an absolutely immersive read.

View all my reviews