Summary of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See | Conversation Starters

by BookHabits

Summary of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See | Conversation Starters

A Brief Look

Li-Yan grows up gathering and preparing tea leaves with her family in the Yunnan mountains in China, guided by the traditional beliefs of her Akha tribe. But forced apart from the man she loves and giving up her new-born baby for adoption, she soon questions the validity of her tribes’ traditions. Being one of the few educated in her tribe, she learns the tea business which enables her to leave and look for her daughter who now lives with her American family in the United States. Chinese tea gains international respect and she soon finds herself in the US. Will she find her long-lost daughter and will her daughter accept her?
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane is the sixth and latest of Lisa See’s historical fiction novels which all put China and its culture into focus. It is Goodreads’ Most Anticipated of 2017 in the historical fiction category. See’s 12 books, including three mystery novels, gained critical acclaim and became bestsellers.



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Genres: Audiobook

70 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2017

Reviews

[Helena Smrcek]

Loved this story. Filled with sorrow and hope. A window into a world I had no idea existed.

[Rebecca Smith]

Cliche, I know, but I did find myself making a cup of tea in the afternoon when I'd sit down to read this story. I think I need to go to some of the tea rooms in San Francisco's or Oakland's Chinatowns and see what this pu-erh tea is all about.

For me the author does a good job with her characters and I'm always interested in what's going to happen with them. This story may have wrapped things up a little too neatly but I probably wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

[Carol Chiligiris]

I enjoyed the book. Good information on the minorities in China and tea production. It was well written and a good story with a happy ending.

[Youmna M]

The book was eye opening to the primitive mindset to the tribal culture that lives in the mountains of china. It was impressive how the main character turned her life around and how tea is considered to be a gold commodity. It was initially hard to get into but after the first 50 pages, the book grips you and you won't be able to put it down. Great story accompanied by a human element that is touching.

[Pamela]

I don't normally write reviews but feel motivated to do so for this book. Since the synopsis of this book is readily available, I'll focus on what I enjoyed about it. The setting is fascinating. It spans a period of China's history that I am only vaguely familiar with - from just post-cultural revolution to nearly the current day. It covers a territory I'm completely unfamiliar with - the Yunnan Province, its diversity and its geography are enchanting. I knew of the varied "cultural minorities" (like a tribe in the US) in China, but knew very little about them. I'm fascinated now with the Akha and their culture, customs and people. It weaves in a topic that I am very familiar with - the abandonment and subsequent adoption of Chinese children (especially girls) and the one-child policy, which to my great surprise was not applied universally (did YOU know that?). There are three young women in my family who started their lives in China. I found it intriguing to consider the relinquishing parent's perspective and experience. The characters are extremely well built, and their experiences are glorious and gut wrenching. Finally, the topic of tea in this book is infused (pun intended) with feminine power, historical information and appeals to my foodie (is that word passe yet?) nature. I hope you'll read this book.

[Karen]

Not a book I would pick to read but it was a book club book for this month. Some of the superstitions of the Akha people were pretty bizarre. I was surprise after Li-yan marring Jin and having a son of their own, that those superstitions would be passed on to the boy. But as he had night terrors she would sit by his bed and whisper some of those superstitions. Even when she goes to have the baby, there are certain things that happen because of the superstitions of when Li-yan was with her Akha people. Certainly lots talked about tea - which sometimes I was less than interested in reading about it. I was disappointed that at the end when Haley goes to China with Sean that on their fourth night together and there is a sexual encounter. When Li-yan is with San-pa, there are times of sexual encounters. This lessons the book in my opinion. Because of religious background I have, I don't enjoy reading books that talk intimately about sex. Very interesting book but was disappointed with the abrupt end of the story. Mother and daughter face each other but no words are said or anything. That's just the end of the story.

[Lynne]

I did not read the summary, but rather the whole novel. It is all about tea. We are first introduced to tea as the livelihood of native tribes in the mountainous region of China. Li-Yan is born into one of these minority tribes and grows up in a culture that is dominated by arcane customs and superstitions. Because she is a female, she is very insignificant, even to the point where she is called "Girl;" her name is not used. Sexual practices are very open, and when she conceives and would marry, the father of her child has left the village. She delivers a daughter with the help of her mother, a midwife, and then takes her daughter to a shelter rather than killing her. A teacher in the village feels that Li-Yan has the potential to achieve independence and secures a position for her to be educated. She becomes a master of the tea business, with her own shop and the potential to secure a good livelihood for people in her home village. She marries and has a son, but remains hopeful that she may be reunited with her daughter.

[Colleen]

This was a fascinating story about tea, the tea business. Explores families growing up in the rural mountains and the culture and history of China. There was intrigue, love, tragedy, and hope in this tender story about a young woman and her quest to better herself but also torn between the culture she came from and the modern world. A lot of family dynamics, culture issues, and a fascinating history of tea and its value within the culture. Very enjoyable read!

[Bethbe]

Who doesn't love Lisa See? This epic story took a *tiny* bit for me to get into, but once I did, I was sucked in. Read it non stop, rushed home from work to sit and read. It was a great read, wonderful characters and what a great sense of place! And when I was done. I ordered some Pu'er tea and am now impatiently waiting for it to come.

[Elarka]

Lisa See was too busy focussing on the strange aspects of Chinese culture in a fairly sensational manner. I liked some of her older books but this one was just weird.

[Cj Jones]

i loved this tale.
Good characters,
Well done history and culture.
Enjoyable story

[Elisa]

Excellent story telling supported by excellent research!

[Janet]

Too much TEA details. too technical. not one of my favorite Lisa See books

[Colleen]

Great book!!

[Joe Ricca]

An emotional rollercoaster. If taken with a grain of salt an intersting glimpse into a Chinese minority culture.

[Pam]

To be fair, I went in with no to low expectations. I was quickly absorbed. I knew little about the culture of China during this time as well as tea in general. I found this book very interesting.

[Val Macd]

Very educational on the subject of tea and the different tribes and cultures of China.
Not as good as Snowflower and the Secet Fan.

[Vicki Micciche]

What is there not to love about a book by Lisa See. Great story and narration.

[Marylu Sanok]

The book was well written but I can't say I was thrilled with it.