An Invitation to Tea

by Monica Lang

A woman marries an English tea planter and describes her life in India. An autobiography of marriage in the early part of the 20th century which has its romance in an Indian setting and the strong, kind character of George, the author's husband. She had known him as a boy when he was sent to school in England, and, in spite of her love for him, had never realized what it would mean to be parted from her family and to live an isolated jungle life. She married him in Bombay, elephants almost wrecked their train en route to their home, and her depression grew as loneliness, fear and silence took over when George kept watch on the 900 acre tea plantation on the Assam Burma frontier. But a wise doctor helped her to discipline herself, George taught her how to live at ease and a baby rounded out the picture.

Genres: India, Memoir, Nonfiction, History, Biography

284 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1952

Reviews

[Dorcas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to tell you this is an excellent autobiographical book. I also have to tell you (without spoilers) that something very sad happens in this book and somehow it's made worse by knowing it really happened. I hope that knowing this at the outset might soften the blow.

On to the story. 

When Monica is a child, her parents host a boarding school student during school breaks and holidays (his parents being stationed in India), and over the course of time George goes from being 'one of her brother's friends' to 'nurturer and protector from said brothers' to 'hero who catches tigers' to eventual tea plantation overseer/ husband.
I love that their friendship and soul binding goes all the way back to childhood, and the fact that there really is never any doubt in their minds that one day they will end up together.

But marrying George means leaving her family for years at a time and facing the unknown: wild animals, monsoons, long periods of loneliness as George is overseeing tea, and learning the native language. There's sickness to be born, pregnancy in the jungle, and that heart wrenching of all trials, sending ones own child thousands of miles away to school back in England...

Beautiful story.

 If you're anything of an India aficionado like me you must read this. Even if you cry.

Suitable for all readers.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica has the best voice. She is the kind of woman you would want for your very own friend. She has common sense galore but also class, style and grace. You cannot help but adore her let alone like her.
And to think it all really happened.
I think my eyes were really opened by Elizabeth. To get dropped off like that by Mom and Dad and then know your parents had another child must have been so tough. I just can't imagine how hard that must have been on both parents and kids.
Loved everything I learned about India and I loved how tolerant she was of people who were different from herself.

196: Eventually, however, the realization would be borne in on me once again, and each time with a stronger sense of conviction, that no matter where one was, or in what state of life, or country of the world, there were always problems to be faced battles to be waged and victory to be won.

220: Monica's fathers advice: Priceless.

276: I wanted to rise again. With all the strength of my being I wanted to meet and master this, the worst challenge of my life.

I was so happy to end my summer with this book. It felt so right.

[Sheila Woofter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this multiple times a I grew up and remember it as an incredible book. I'll try to read it again and see if I still think it is a five.

Just finished it. A lovely book. Considering the time it was written (1952) and the time of the story (1930-1945) it is just as I remembered it. Not politically correct by any means, but a moving story of a woman who gave up life in Great Britain to marry and move to a tea plantation in India. Amazing life. Well worth re-reading.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems to be my best luck to choose another read that portrays a strong woman. Talk about survival of the fittest! I believe this woman's solid childhood set the stage for her to confront and conquer her fears of living in the jungle. The dangers were real and she handled them perfectly with the support of her loving husband. This autobiography reads as a novel in colorful, descriptive scenes that put you in Lang's place as she struggles with the elements of living on a tea plantation in the Myanmar (Burma) jungle. Lots of frightening encounters with fantastic weather, animals, sickness and death. This woman is a real heroine in my eyes, even though she didn't learn to cook until she came to live in the United States. What a role model for girls everywhere!

[Adil Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars, because this book reads like my mother reminiscing about her childhood.

[Alison B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and have recommended it to someone else already. Very refreshing. My mother first read this book when she herself was going out to India (in the early 1950's) and was going to marry my father who was already working there. The book was very well written and I was impressed with how positive the author was about people she met. I will read this book again.

[Scarlet Cathel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most heartwarming and breaking stories. Definitely one of my favorite books.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! It will definitely be one of my top favorites of all time.

[Carmen Unruh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Fascinating descriptions of her life. Ends differently than I expected.

[Ava Unruh · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly recommend

[Je9 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a book about Monica's own life told as a novel so big points for that. Well written, satisfying romance but squeaky clean. I enjoyed it. As life can be, there were some tears.

[Megan Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up for $2 at a boutique in Louisville. I thought it was a novel. I ended up discovering a poignant, enlightening, endearing, amd heartbreaking true story.

[Jolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't decide between 4 and 5 stars. I want to save 5 stars for the very best, and yet feel like this one could almost be there? It made me cry, which few books do. Not saying that is such merit except that I really cared about the people. (it's a true story) I would recommend this book to anyone!

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

As others have said, this is a romantic autobiography, written by an educated upper middle class woman who went out to India to marry a man she had first known as a much younger adolescent. She spent the rests of her life there. The descriptions and narrative are excellent, the author warm, human, and thoughtful. That said, I did find some of her remarks stereotypical: "childlike" and "simple" natives. . .their "need" to have Mother England to guide them. . .the inability to see that British attitudes and practices were often demeaning and heartless. I don't mean this to her discredit: Monica Lang was a product of her times. The spirited, free-thinking heroine is most often fictional; Ms. Lang, while harboring some typical attitudes is nonetheless appreciative and loving of her adopted home, and I did enjoy her book very much.

[C. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the trite descriptions come to mind, but are so true with this novel...beautifully written, compelling, smooth reading, a delight to read...
I find myself wanting to know what happened to Ms. Lang and, more especially, to her children. The book was published in '52 and she was at least middle aged then. I rarley seek more information about an author, but this true story captured my heart.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is honestly my favorite book. I received it as a gift for my 17th birthday from a dear friend and it has become a tradition to read it at least once a year. Monica Lang is one of my heros, she has lived a full life that is unimaginable and yet true. This sweet story should be cherished and enjoyed by everyone!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written romantic view of the British Indian tea planters' society in the early 20th Century. It's a true story of the strong love between George & Monica and the tragic events in their lives. Learning about the country of India and customs of it's people where they lived was a truly educational experience. A pleasure to read & one I couldn't put down.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic view of the British Indian tea planters' society in the early 20th Century. Lovely.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It has the characteristics and plot of a novel, and yet it is true. One of the few books that has made me cry.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love portrayed in this book is inspiring.. And it's true!

[Lydia Calhoun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Looking for others similar to it!