The Barbarian Who Stayed For Tea

by Chris Lines

Taipei, 1895. James Burnaby, a down-on-his-luck, ex-barrow boy from the East End of London is trying to make a living as a tea trader in the far-off land of Formosa (Taiwan).

He is faced with numerous challenges, however, chief among them navigating the tricky waters of the alien world around him and the well-heeled British trading elite who view his sudden arrival on the island ten years ago with immense suspicion.

Just as it seems his fortunes are going to take a turn for the better, the new life he has created for himself is thrown into chaos as the Sino-Japanese War threatens to land directly on his doorstep.

Unsure if he should stay on the island or seek refuge in the British colony of Hong Kong, the line between Burnaby's troubled past and present begins to blur ever more in this humourous and touching tale of redemption, struggle for acceptance and clash of civilisations.

469 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2017

Reviews

[Jane Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of lighthearted historical novels that concentrate on an exciting story rather than get bogged down with pages and pages of unnecessary factoids. For that reason, the Barbarian who stayed for tea, really fitted the bill for me as the author has created a really realistic historical world without falling into the trap many of many historical novelists - i.e. showing off how much research they have done and making everything really heavy going.

It's a slow burner which is also what I like because the payoff is always greater with books like that. Character development seemed good and I learnt a lot about this period of history without even realising it. I think the part I enjoyed the most was the humour which ran though it. Sometimes it was an off-the-cuff irreverent comment which I read and then thought "hang on" before reading it again and laughing out loud. Sometimes I knew a joke was coming but it still had me in stitches.

I finished the book in two weeks whilst on holiday which is quick for me and I guess a testament to how much I enjoyed it. It was really moving towards the end but I think the author's strengths really lie in his sense of humour.

[David Blithe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended the book by a friend who knew that I had an ancestor who used to be a British trader in Asia during the 19th Century (much like the protagonist in this book except my relative apparently exported sugarcane and not tea).

I didn't know much about Formosa during this time and even less about the Sino-Japanese war but I learnt so much from the book as well as a a lot about Britain's role in history during this time. I also wasn't expecting to laugh as much as I did either! The author has a great sense of humour and it really shines through the characters and the situations they find themselves in. Definitely shades of Flashman at times... Everything seems really well-researched and the way the protagonist's history and past unravels as well and his road to redemption is also surprisingly moving.

All-in-all, I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading future work from the author.

[Jane Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is written based on the true incidents that happened in the past. Chris has well researched it and written it, which attracts the reader.