The Colour of Tea – Reviewed by Kelly McDonald
Hannah Tunnicliffe
ISBN:
9781742610047
01-06-2011
Category:
Modern & Contemporary Fiction
Hannah Tunnicliffe’s first novel, The Colour of Tea, is simply superb! The main character, Gracie, finds herself once again living in a new country, whilst she follows her husband and supports him in his chosen career. Unable to communicate well with the locals, and finding the whole culture change a huge shock, Gracie turns inwards, before discovering a way to survive. In doing so she helps a multitude of other women, some local, some also far from home. I too live in a new country, with different cultures, languages and ways of life, so from the very first page I was drawn into Grace’s life as she struggled with her own journey. The characters were beautifully written, and very real. This story came across almost as a memoir. In fact, I had to read the credits to note that it was indeed a story, and not the retelling of Hannah’s own journey. You can tell that the author, Hannah, has lived in each city or country that she wrote of. Hannah Tunnicliffe was able to portray with her words not only the visionary aspects of the small island of Macau where the story is based, but was also able to capture all the senses of her characters life there. The sweetness, mixed in with the sour. You can almost smell the sweat and pollution in the air, your heart is torn by the tension between Gracie and her husband and what each heart desires, and you can taste the crisp tartness of the macarons her main character was so captured by! I personally have never tried macarons, but will do so at the very first opportunity. The Colour of Tea was a perfect holiday read. I am still thinking about it now, and not just for the benefit of writing this review.
The Colour of Tea is an uplifting, emotional and inspiring story, with a cast of wonderful characters. The story line is strong, and very believable. You are taken on a beautiful journey through the lives of a handful of very different women who all find in each others company, their own strengths and power. The Colour of Tea is easy to read, but definitely gives you something to bite on!
I give it 5 fairy stars!!
Reviewed by Kelly McDonald (Our resident fairy).
Posted on June 21, 2011, in Book Reviews and tagged Hannah Tunnicliffe, Kelly McDonald, Pan Macmillan Australia. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Comments.
Wow what a fantastic review, I have to agree the Colour of Tea is an amazi1ng story that keeps you glued to every word, sentence,page and delicious macaron! a MUST READ
Thanks Matt! I really really enjoyed this story.(and i owe you chocolate heeheee for such a nice response to my first review
Sure sounds like a great read – not to mention something you could relate to Kel. I’ll be sure to look out for it.
No worries Kelly, I am a little biased as the book is dedicated to me….yes that Matt…;-) Hannah and I both read your review and felt a great sense of accomplishment, excitement and contentment that you enjoyed it like so many others.
oh wow.. Matt, I am blushing! That is absolutely wonderful! As an aspiring writer my self…. i hope that one day i too can feel that sense of accomplishment! It must be absolutely nerve wracking for Hannah to have her work ‘out there’ for critic!! Give her a pat on the back for me, and i was absolutely honored to write this review.. .. . I’m currently residing in Germany, and have felt exactly like Gracie in some instances a million times!! I thoroughly enjoyed the story!