Teatime for the firefly paperback changing hands bookstore. Dec 30, 20 teatime for the firefly is accurately categorized as historical fiction rather than genre romance, and while the relationship between layla and manik is important to the story, there is little conflict since they are married early in the book. It seems shona patel has tamed the english language into complete submission and can do whatever she likes with ither seamless writing is an absolute pleasure to read. And then there are book like teatime for the firefly which transport you totally into a whole new world. Teatime for the firefly by shona patel reading guidebook. Sarah archers future as the dutiful wife of a british more.
Buy a cheap copy of teatime for the firefly book by shona patel. The only quibble i had with this book is that on occasion the descriptions would go on a tad long, bogging us down a bit in the details. This is my blog about the two favorite things that i love, tea and books. It takes them a while to become intimate, and the scenes leading to that moment are sweetly depicted. Teatime for the firefly by shona patel fantastic fiction. It is a delicate love story and all the characters stay with you for a long time after you out the book down. It piqued my interest because it is set in 1940s assam. Books similar to teatime for the firefly teatime for the firefly. Praise for with lyrical prose and exquisite detail, shona patels novel brings to life the rich and rugged landscape of indias tea plantation, harboring a sweet love story at its core. Read teatime for the firefly by shona patel available from rakuten kobo. Work as a tea planter means signing a three year contract not to marry.
Review of teatime for the firefly judith starkston. Shona patels debut novel is a fishoutofwater love story told partially through letters, and set within an exotic and enchanting world where social upheaval and the threat of world war ii lingers on their doorstep. Several events i attended this year served assam tea. Shona patels debut novel is a fishoutofwater love story told partially through letters, and set within an exotic and enchanting world where social.
Despite being born under an inauspicious horoscope, she is raised to be educated and independent by her eccentric grandfather, dadamoshai. And, by cleverly manipulating the hand fortune has dealt her, she has even found love with manik deba man betrothed to another. Patel has won several awards for creative writing and is a trained graphic and architectural designer. Teatime for the firefly by shona patel, paperback barnes. I was captivated by the description of the fireflies visiting at teatime. I was invited to over 50 book related events in the past year and most of them hosted tea parties and insisted on serving the very same assam tea i drink. Teatime for the firefly is a story set in the lush and green tea plantations of northeastern india in 1947. Shona patel, the daughter of an assam tea planter, drew upon her personal observations and experiences to create the vivid characters and setting for teatime for the firefly. Readers want to drink the same tea i drink, even though i insist its no fancy tea just good, strong assam ctc. This was a book of over 300 pages and each book was many chapters each.
Maniks career and arranged marriage were charted for success. A sweeping epic romance set in the british raj for fans of richard and judy book club pick dinah jefferies and global bestseller lucinda riley. Teatime is a source book for all who love tea and who want to enrich life with the serenity of teatime. This book was well written and the story line kept you captivated all the time. Teatime for the firefly is a work of fiction but the characters and situations are drawn real life. Find books like teatime for the firefly from the worlds largest community of readers. What made the experience of listening to teatime for the firefly the most enjoyable. Most interesting was the cultivation of tea not something one reads about very often also the lengths the english would immigrate to develop commodities for their use and control of this market it also touched on the beginning of the dissention between muslim. Teatime for the firefly kindle edition by patel, shona. Teatime for the firefly ebook by shona patel rakuten kobo.
Jan 01, 20 teatime for the firefly creates a vivid portrayal of the exotic world of the assam tea plantations and indian life during both wwii and the momentous upheavals immediately following the war. When manik leaves his civil service position to become a tea planter there is a great uproar in laylas small neighborhood. Goodreads members who liked teatime for the firefly also liked. A video about teatime for the firefly by shona patel 173 views 1 person liked it. Teatime for the firefly is a debut novel from shona patel that was published last year.
See more ideas about tea time, novels and book worms. Around the world in 80 books meet your next favorite book. Not a real problem for me but for readers who prefer lots of action it could be a bit daunting. Teatime for the firefly is accurately categorized as historical fiction rather than genre romance, and while the relationship between layla and manik is important to the story, there is little conflict since they are married early in the book. I have never forgotten her vivid descriptions of india and the wonders she depicted on the pages of books such as the far pavilions and shadow of the moon.
An honors graduate in english literature from calcutta university, ms. It piqued my interest because it is set in 1940s assam and described as historical fiction. I am almost certain that i will love the written version of this book but the narrator in this audible version is just horrible. In the mid1940s, an unconventional young indian woman manages to defy the odds and her own inauspicious legacy to marry the man of her dreams, then must adjust to life in a remote tea garden amid the nationalistic, racial and religious discord of the times. Teatime for the firefly is a charming tale of unexpected romance between two misfits in traditional indian society. Jan 29, 2018 my debut novel published by harlequin mira september 24, 20. Nov 07, 20 shona patels teatime for the firefly, a transporting novel of 1940s india looking at an unopened copy of teatime for the firefly, you may take it to be a delicate work of womens literature, something involving teadrinking and love letters, perhaps with an international flair. I am the daughter of a tea planter and i grew up in a tea plantation in remote assam. Teatime for the firefly creates a vivid portrayal of the exotic world of the assam tea plantations and indian life during both wwii and the momentous upheavals immediately following the war. May 27, 2015 teatime for the firefly has generated an overwhelming interest and enthusiasm for assam tea. Meanwhile here are some questions to get you started. I can also join in the discussion and take questions via skype or on speaker phone. Debut author shona patel describes what her book teatime for the f. Teatime for the firefly has drummed up some serious interest in assam tea.
During this volatile and transitional time in the countrys fight for independence, layla is astrologically doomed never to marry. To schedule an author visit, please send me a request on my contact form. Sep 24, 20 teatime for the firefly is a charming tale of unexpected romance between two misfits in traditional indian society. A world which we never knew about, which was hidden until someone as talented as shona patel shared it with us. Sep 24, 20 harlequin enterprises ulc is located at bay adelaide centre, east tower, 22 adelaide street west, 41st floor, toronto, ontario, canada m5h 4e3 and sends informational and promotional emails on behalf of itself and harlequin digital sales corporation. The book is written with a light and humorous touch, but does not minimize the chaos that beset india at that period. Sep 24, 20 teatime for the firefly paperback september 24, 20 by shona patel author. Teatime for the firefly creates a vivid portrayal of the exotic world of the assam tea plantations and. So far, definitely decided i wanted to read the tulip eaters and i was already 70 pages into this when i bought it. Despite being born under an inauspicious horoscope, she is raised to be educated and independent by her eccentric grandfather. Teatime for the firefly takes place during a transitional time. I listened to a little over 2 hours of this book today during my commute. Im always looking for unusual historicals, and a book set in 1940s india certainly qualifies.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading teatime for the firefly. The author stresses that while the book contains actual historical facts and references to real places that it is purely a work of fiction. Jan 26, 2018 teatime for the firefly is an engrossing and beautifully written story of a young woman who finds love, adventure, and a new life with her husband on a tea plantation in a remote area of india in the 1940s. Patel takes readers on a vivid tour of 1940s india, exploring the attitudes of the day and the traditions of the teagrowing region of assam. Books similar to teatime for the firefly goodreads. Teatime for the firefly book pima county public library. In many ways this book is like reading a beautifully written travel brochure which captures a place, a. Teatime for the firefly is a lovely book and a perfect companion with a cup of tea to curl up and read. Cussys patrons refer to her as bluet or book woman, and she delights in bringing them books as well as messages, medicine, and advice. For fans of alka joshis the henna artist, comes a compelling love story set against a culture grounded in tradition, ab. The author shona patel was inspired by her grandparents life when she penned this novel down. The story ebbs and flows gracefully, sure to keep readers actively engaged and fervently enticed.
Teatime for the firefly is a story of adaptation, survival and the power of free will to shape human destiny. Simply stated, teatime for the firefly is a true treasure. This book excites the palate with its depth and fullness. The magazine proclaims the pleasures of tea as a gourmet beverage, and offers informative articles that range from food features to tearoom profiles. Teatime for the firefly is an engrossing and beautifully written story of a young woman who finds love, adventure, and a new life with her husband on a tea plantation in a remote area of india in the 1940s. The tensions between british colonialism and indian aspirations for a free nation are played out against the intensely personal story of layla and manik.
A novel shona patel author, marisa vitali narrator, harlequin mira publisher get audible free. Teatime for the firefly follows the story of layla roy. Teatime for the firefly by shona patel book cover, description, publication history. This novel picks up the tradition of writing about british colonialism with that same romanticism mixed with realism that made her books so riveting. Teatime for the firefly is shona patels debut novel to be published by mira books in october 20. But by cleverly manipulating the hand fortune has dealt her, layla has found love with manik. Mar 03, 2014 teatime for the firefly is a debut novel from shona patel that was published last year. When this book appeared on netgalley i was intrigued.