The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. Fascinating fact-based novel about a minority culture in China and their rapid modernization due to changes in Chinese economic policy and the increased world interest in tea drinking. In the blink of an eye they went from living in the 19th century to the 21st, and the changes had a significant impact on their economy, spirituality and gender roles. My heart broke for the heroine Li-Yan several times, and I rooted for her to succeed in love and business despite her humble beginnings. I had two caveats that keep me from giving the book 4 full stars: 1) the sections of the book that attempt to show Holly's life as a Chinese-American adoptee are too brief to give the reader a full taste of her experience and character (she deserves her own book, frankly) and 2) there's maybe a wee bit too much information on how to make, brew and serve tea. Still a very rewarding read.