"THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE," by Lisa See, Scribner, $27, 384 pages (ages 14 and up)
Following in the tradition of her previous novels, Lisa See's "The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" is a Chinese historical fiction rich with tradition, intricate details and moving themes.
The story begins following Li-Yan as a young child in a remote Yunnan village in 1988. See immerses the reader in the lives of Li-Yan's family, their tea business and the surrounding Akha people. As Li-Yan grows up, she discovers more and more that she doesn't agree with all of the strict traditions of her people and her education motivates her to see past the boundaries of what she knows.
When Li-Yan delivers a baby out of wedlock, her midwife mother breaks many rules to help Li-Yan hide what transpired and take her daughter to an orphanage in the closest big city. They both do this to protect Li-Yan's future, but when the baby's father returns to the village, desiring to marry her, the loss Li-Yan has been feeling intensifies.
Meanwhile, the baby, now named Haley Davis and living with loving adoptive parents in California, grows up wondering about her past and her family roots. Through email transcriptions, group therapy notes, school essays and thesis research papers, See gives the reader glimpses into Haley's life and how incredible coincidences pull a daughter to her unknown birth mother.
The details of "The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" lend to a truly immersive experience in both the setting of a small, Chinese village, but also into the minds and emotions of characters dealing with curiosity, regret, longing, grief, joy, success and belonging.
The portrayal of Chinese immigrants in two completely different situations gives the reader insight into stories that make up America's tableau.
The way See uses tea to complete threads of a winding story is lovely and intriguing. The idea of coincidence and fate forming each living person's story evokes thoughtfulness, hope and introspection.
"The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" doesn't include any swearing, but does have some violence, including a scene with a tiger mauling a man. There are also graphic sexual scenes and conversations, along with some sexual innuendo.
If you go …
What: Lisa See book signing
When: Wednesday, April 5, 7 p.m.
Where: The King's English, 1511 S. 1500 East
Web: kingsenglish.com
Note: The signing line is for those who buy a copy of the featured book from The King's English.
Tara Creel is a Logan-native-turned-California-girl and mother of four boys. Her email is taracreel@gmail.com, and she blogs at taracreelbooks.wordpress.com.