Monday, August 27, 2018

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Lisa See



The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

By Lisa See

(Tansley Reads Rating: 70%)
Icebreaker

What photo would you send in your Christmas card this year?

 

 

Questions

 

1.  The relationship between Ci-teh and Li-yan was complicated, it alternated between competitive and caring.  Was this truly a friendship?

 

2.  So-sa (Li-Yan’s mother) puts aside many traditions and taboos for Li-yan. How can the mother reconcile this with her strong beliefs in the Akha ways?  Why do you think Li-yan’s mother allowed her to let the baby live?

                     

3.  Do you think San-pa followed Li-yan to kill her or bring her back?

 

4.  Why is Li-yan so devoted to and protective of Deh-ja?

 

5. Teacher Zhang could have returned to the city after his time of punishment was served, but he instead chose to remain in the mountains, seemingly unhappy in his work. Why?  Why does Teacher Zhang encourage Li-yan to complete her education?

 

6.  After San-pa dies and Lin-ya eventually gets to the college, she obviously has interactions with other students, but she doesn't seem to have any friends.  Why?

                     

7.  On page 285, during the therapy session with the 5 girls, Dr. Rosen introduces the idea of "grateful –  but – angry” . How can that phrase be applied individually to the characters of Li-yan, Jin and So-sa (Li-yan's mother)?

 

8.  When asked if she sees herself as Chinese or American, Haley responds saying she is 100% Chinese AND 100% American. How can this be?

 

9.  Tobacco is the gift that is given to a Chief or to Elders when visiting a First Nation community. It is a sign of respect. On page 289 Tea Master Sun and Mr. Huang exchange cigarettes, although were told neither man smokes. Why cigarettes?

 

10.  Why didn’t Mr. Huang reveal himself to Li-yan as the silent partner in her tea business? Why didn't he use the partnership to pressure Li-yan to take him to her grove?

                     

11.  How did you feel about the way the author ended the story?  What do you imagine happens next?

 

12.  This novel uses a number of devices to tell Haley’s story, including letters, a transcript of a therapy session, and homework assignments. Did this style of storytelling enrich your experience of the narrative?

 

13. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane begins with the Akha aphorism, “No coincidence, no story.” What are the major coincidences in the story? Are they believable? How important are they in influencing your reaction to the novel as a whole?

 

 14:  Quick round: What did you think of the book? Is there anything you want to discuss that we missed?

 

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