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The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

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The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

By: Lisa See
Narrated by: full cast
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About this listen

A thrilling new novel exploring the lives of a Chinese mother and her daughter who has been adopted by an American couple.

Li-yan and her family align their lives around the seasons and the farming of tea. There is ritual and routine, and it has been ever thus for generations. Then one day a jeep appears at the village gate - the first automobile any of them have seen - and a stranger arrives. In this remote Yunnan village, the stranger finds the rare tea he has been seeking and a reticent Akha people.

Li-yan, one of the few educated girls on her mountain, translates for the stranger and is among the first to reject the rules that have shaped her existence. When she has a baby outside of wedlock, rather than stand by tradition she wraps her daughter in a blanket, with a tea cake hidden in her swaddling, and abandons her in the nearest city. After mother and daughter have gone their separate ways, Li-yan slowly emerges from the security and insularity of her village to encounter modern life while Haley grows up a privileged and well-loved California girl. Despite Haley's happy home life, she wonders about her origins, and Li-yan longs for her lost daughter. They both search for and find answers in the tea that has shaped their family's destiny for generations.

In her biggest seller, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, See introduced the Yao people to her readers. Here she shares the customs of another Chinese ethnic minority, the Akha, whose world will soon change. A powerful story about a family separated by circumstances, culture, and distance, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane paints an unforgettable portrait of a little known region and its people and celebrates the bond that connects mothers and daughters.

©2017 Lisa See (P)2017 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction United States Stranger Adoption Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Village

What listeners say about The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

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fasinating story

This is a lovely story of different cultures and beleifs and of generational mother traditions.

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2 people found this helpful

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Brilliant

At times I felt as if the story was both documentary and novel but whichever it was I was still engrossed by the authenticity of the characters, the regions, the cultural and spiritual practises, the love of family and the tea which bound them all together.

I am a great lover of tea and this story evoked many of my own tea journeys as I 'travelled' the many pathways of all the beautiful women in the story.

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Incredible

One of the best books I’ve listened to in a long time. Such a thought provoking and beautiful story.

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Beautiful book

I loved reading this book and didn't want to put it down. Gave me a much greater insight into the culture in China - it makes you love Chinese people. And tea - I had no idea there was so much to tea. Interesting insights into the commercial world of tea, and into the connoisseur aspects. But best of all, insights into the traditions of ancient tribes, consideration of seeming superstitions, constant reference to the gods, and honouring them. The characters are brilliant, and you just want to meet them in person. I guess you can - there are lots of people with values and awareness of finer laws. A great book, right to the end.

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Identity, a spiritual path and love.

I loved this book. I once visited the Akha tribe in northern Thailand and I was touched by their beauty and confidence. This story made me feel so deeply about the importance of understanding one's roots and the coincidences and crossed paths that brought you into existence. It was a beautifully told narrative that spoke very frankly about concepts of identity. I strongly recommend this book.

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Tea perfection

Loved this. Has made me want to investigate history of tea! Interwoven story lines -beautifully told.

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Sun and Moon

Wow what a beautiful story. A must read if you love history culture and love

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Stunning read

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An amazing journey into the life and culture of those untouched by civilisation - insight into cultural mores and the resilience of women and the power of a mothers love, of living a true life and

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Great story

Loved this one. So intriguing. Only dislike was the ending. It needed another 10 minutes. Too many questions unanswered

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History

Perfect wonderful story. I would want it to go on and on. I learnt so much about Chinese ethnic groups

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