***EXCELLENT*** Six stars if I could !!

This book is far from what normally listen to, and in the beginning (based on some disturbing facts) I wasn't sure I could listen. But I was instantly hooked on the story, and especially the characters. The narration was perfect, and I can't remember ever feeling such a sense of loss when a book ended, just because I didn't (don't) want the story to end. I HIGHLY recommend this one.

62 people found this helpful

Good overall, however!

I enjoyed this story, having lived in Shanghai for more than a year. The tea ceremonies were authentic, and I learned things about the tea industry that I was unaware of. My only problem, and it was a big one for me, was the voice of the young girl. We are introduced to Haley really at birth. Her speaking parts begin as a young child. Even at eight years old, she was sounding more like a five year old! Also, anyone who has spent time with young children realizes that their thought processes are rarely, if ever, as sophisticated as Haley's. I am specifically referring to the therapy session when it appears she more the "therapist" than the therapist!! What really became annoying to me was that she maintained this five year old voice throughout the remainder of the book, going into her mid twenties! My husband came in while I was listening to one of her dialogues and asked if she was a two year old!! By the end of the book, I was more than ready for it to be over. This was very unfortunate since I am a big Lisa See fan, and have always enjoyed her other narrators. Usually there is a perfect Chinese speaker who carries off the story beautifully. Not this time.

59 people found this helpful

A beautiful story

Lisa See is such an amazing writer. She has a gift for taking her reader into the lives, minds and hearts of her characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, even doing some research into the Ahka people, pu-erh tea and tea cakes. I loved the main character and how her culture influenced her life even when she lived in the modern world. The ending was beautiful. I would highly recommend this book.

40 people found this helpful

Loved it!

Would you listen to The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane again? Why?

I would! There is so much content in the book that I'm quite sure I missed some finer points.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the history of tea. My only wish was that Lisa should have made actual "tea" recommendations to accompany each section in the book. It would have been so amazing to be drinking a tea while reading different sections of the book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many to mention.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The real history of tea!

Any additional comments?

This book lived up to my expectations. It is beautifully written, and I really cared for the characters. I was sad when I was done.

36 people found this helpful

Informative, Interesting, Intriguing

I learned a lot about the history of tea and the customs of this remote village. I was surprised that some of the customs were being practiced as recently as they were. I loved the story and the main character, Li-Yan. She was intelligent, dutifully paid for the mistakes she made. She persevered, remained true to her heritage. Loved the ending. Satisfying and not drawn out.

28 people found this helpful

loved it!

excellent story and narration of 2 young woman's lives, the best narration I've heard yet, makes story easy to follow, wonderful characters

26 people found this helpful

Literary Dregs

If I hadn't run out credits, I would never have completed this book. A mishmash of storylines ... unrelated subjects just sort of tossed in - as padding? And ohhhhh, the subject of tea. Tea - tea - tea.

Making it even more irritating was the voice of daughter. The narrator sounded like she was taking hits on a helium balloon.

Seriously, Lisa See poured out the dregs of her abilities into a misleading title, and everyone's pretending it's delish. No. It isn't.

21 people found this helpful

Great Beginning, Tepid Ending

Lisa See stories, while entertaining, always educates and inspires me to learn more the culture and subject that she writes about. I have enjoyed at least five of her books, but this one fell a little short in one aspect and that is the abrupt and somewhat contrived ending. For such a well woven and intriguing beginning and development, the interaction of the characters and the plot in the last third of the novel were executed dispassionately, like a outline of story she would have liked to present, but she ran out of time or interest. The narrator for the primary character, Li-yan was excellent but I found the narration for her daughter, Haley was a bit to overly juvenile once Haley became an adult. Although I made these criticism, I still found this story well worth the credit because of this unique subject and insights to a segment of Chinese cultural society that most of us are unfamiliar with. Lisa See never fails to entertain, inspire and reveal a little more of the world to us with her novels. I anxious await her next book.

21 people found this helpful

Best story this year

Enchanting and mesmerizing the story of a tribe connected to their land and harvesting tea and a baby given up for adoption. A baby growing up in America always searching for her biological mother grows to become interested in tea and the enfolding conclusion is both gratifying and complete.

16 people found this helpful

Good all around read

Very much liked the story and narrator. Nice easy listen. Going now to purchase more from this author.

13 people found this helpful