June

Who knew tea could be as complicated as wine pairings and taste depends on the soil used? This memoir, travel guide and look into food industry provides a fascinating guide into how to prepare loose leaf tea and the best way we could support farmers who are struggling against industrial market. And yes, The Tea Lady is all for the revolution against tea bags and to nourish yourself with good cuppa. And no, she insists she is not gassing you up. And I’m all for it.

This was an unexpected surprise for me. There were so many hurdles to achieving a great time with this book. It is filled with short sentences to provide momentum, the main character Quoyle is stunted because of abusive relationships and has a low self esteem until he meets Partridge and then his aunt. Following a series of bereavements, he returns to his ancestral home of Newfoundland, Canada. And what happens here is more of a bundlingsroman. Or more accurately a tale about the people of Newfoundland- found family story as well. But be aware there is plenty of fishing jargon, ordinary folk, little to no plot and an abrupt ending. And it worked for me.

I would recommend to those who like witty character studies of ordinary people in a neglected rural village struggling with modern life. Go on with no expectations especially as it is an award winner book and those can be notoriously boring.