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There are currently 37 member reviews
for The Tea Planter's Wife
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Lynne B. (Exeter, NH)
Top Notch Historical Fiction
The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies is an excellent example of the best in historical fiction. Ms. Jefferies has carefully researched the tea plantation life in Ceylon from 1925 to 1934 and brings to life the dreams and struggles of the tea plantation owner and workers. The story of how race becomes a central focus for all involved is both touching, romantic and heartbreaking. This book brought to life a little known period in the history of Sri Lanka and the tea industry. I was enthralled with the beauty of the land as described by Ms. Jefferies and enjoyed the depth of the characters whom you come to love and hate. This book includes a bit of mystery with some surprises which are found to be based on historical fact. This is a story for those who love a good historical read where there is much to be learned and loved about the land, its history and the people who may have lived in that time period.
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Janine S. (Wyoming, MI)
Excellent and thought-provoking read
If you are interested in reading a story that will hook you from the first sentence, this is a book for you. From the very beginning you want to know more about the tea plantation, its current and previous inhabitants and their secrets. The author's lush descriptions of the plantation serve as a vivid and atmospheric backdrop to a story about human and race relationships in early 20th C Ceylon where the British rule and its attitudes affect the heroine's acclimation to her role as wife and mistress of a tea plantation. Gwen is faced with understanding and making sense of the differing perceptions of the native Ceylonese groups with those of her own and her husband, her sister-in-law and others she meets in the British company she socializes with. The perceptions of others often differ greatly from her own and at one point she has to grapple with a heart-wrenching decision of gigantic proportions as a result. The underlying story of race relationships is especially compelling as this issue is no different from those of today making the story line particularly compelling. You simply can't put the book down. In fact, if I could have, I would have read the book from start to finish to the end in one sitting, I was that intrigued. While an historical romance, don't be fooled; this story has substance. I highly recommend this book.
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Barbara H. (Thomasville, GA)
A lush trip to Ceylon!
I opened this book and was immediately absorbed into the story and the time period with absolutely no effort. There was no straining to get into the story or to determine who the characters were. The characters were completely alive and vibrant, each with a totally separate personality, and the scenery was so lush and vivid that I felt I was there as an interloper in the story.
I really loved this book....the incredible story flowed freely through the years as the heroine, who began as a young innocent bride, grew into a determined young woman molded by life's challenges that she faced in her marriage, her relationships with others, and in her own inner turmoil. Once again, with this story, readers are shown that life is not always as it seems and that we should persevere with what we feel is right – sometimes at a high cost. This is a wonderful story!
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Cathy M. (Milwaukee, WI)
Secrets Abound
For those of you who like reading books with secrets, you won't be disappointed in The Tea Planter's Wife for secrets abound. Although predictable and contrived at times, the suspense goes on right to the very end. It is important to pay attention to beautiful Ceylon. Through detailed descriptions of the land and weather, you can portend the future and suspense builds. You know something unfortunate is going to happen when Gwen gets lost in the dark forest or when monsoons take over the land. Gwen is a likeable character and we get to know her first as a young girl and then as a married women. We go through all her struggles and losses with her and hope she finds peace in the end. I would recommend this entertaining book.
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Ellen F. (Polo, IL)
Interesting but predictable
I'm director of a small, rural, public library and facilitate two book clubs. I also belong to two community book clubs so I've read and discussed hundreds of books. I'll start by saying I enjoyed the book but felt it was slightly predictable. Historical fiction is not my genre of choice and was delighted the author made the setting and characters come alive. Traveling will be a focus in my retirement and this book put Sri Lanka on the map for me.
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Veronica E. (Chesterton, IN)
Enjoyable
I liked the book. The descriptions of the countryside of Ceylon , the tea plantation, characters, all made this book a good read. It is what I would call and easy, soft, predictable read. The tragedy that befalls Gwen and Laurence and the suffering the family goes through, you can feel it in your heart. I liked Ms. Jefferies' writing very much. It is the kind of novel I like to pick up when I just need to read something softer, lighter. A sit until you finish kind of book. I have ordered it for our library and I look forward to recommending it to our patrons.
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Elaine
The Tea Planter's Wife
The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies gets you involved in the book from the first sentence. It was easy to read and the author made you feel you were living on a tea plantation. I enjoyed the new information about the tea business. This book was a good example of what all can go wrong when information is keep from each other and what it does to a family. A few good twist will keep you interested until the end. I recommend this book for a light summer read.
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