Tea, Love and War

The most riveting read I have experienced in years - I could not put the book down. I am about to reread it again in case I missed anything - beautifully written - this would make a wonderful film. Highly recommended to anybody who loves the unusual and loves biographies.

This is an extremely well written and absorbing book which tells a truly moving story; highly recommended.

THIS REVIEW WAS SENT BY AMY, A STUDENT AT LEICESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2013 A book review by Ami Ganatra, Year 9D Whilst the author compares his book to a ‘patchwork', ‘Tea Love and War' is more a tapestry of literature in my opinion; a mycelium of threads expertly woven together to form a dramatic epic novel. The book provides a very interesting outlook on much of 20th century life with particular focus on World War 2; the author David Mitchell through his mother Mary, explores the rich and remarkable history of his family life, in places ranging from India to Malaya to England. Initially, the story begins with loose threads. Fragments of an Anglo-Indian girl's life at a convent school are introduced in the first couple of chapters. This gives the reader something to bear in the mind whilst the core of the first book narrates the stories of Stuart and his sister Mary Poyser. They both voice their experiences as Stuart travels to work on a tea estate in India and England braces itself for war. Whilst Stuart finds himself falling in love with an Indian teenager on one hand, he is diligently managing busy tea factories on the other. Mary becomes a devoted sports enthusiast in England and gains more senior sporting positions as her life goes on. From the start, both their stories are fascinating and engage the reader immediately. As war erupts, the story becomes more turbulent both in England and abroad and one is shown a more personal side to life then. Love lives are turned around, as the war spreads; just as war subsides in one part of the world, it begins to gain pace in another. As the years pass, life goes on and almost every page of the book continues to captivate the already engrossed reader. Thereafter, the story develops further. New characters come to the forefront, the story now being looked at from their eyes. The author's powerful writing style frequently evokes the reader's more emotional side; no sooner is the reader crying with sympathy at the moving climaxes than they are cringing with nausea at the gory descriptions. All in all, by the story's conclusion, the loose threads throughout the book eventually intertwine harmoniously, coming together for a deeply satisfying and happy ending. The art of putting together such an in-depth true story, and relating it in such an eloquent manner is in itself admirable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel, and found that there are many messages I could take away from it. Firstly, that life goes on inexorably. The characters contend with the many problems they faced, and one must apply that to life today. The other is that one must not give up easily. I quote from the front cover, ‘Searching for English Roots in Assam'; this is the quest in the book that took an entire lifetime, but still was never given up. The universality of the novel means it can appeal to nearly all ages and both genders, and can give one a real insight into life in the heart of the 20th century. I believe that David Mitchell has crafted a truly brilliant book, which has shown me a very different perspective on a period that I have read numerous books about. This book is also extra personal to me in that it features my home city, Leicester – I feel I cannot pass by Morland Avenue again without mentally exclaiming "That was in ‘Tea Love and War!'” In all, I heartily recommend ‘Tea Love and War' by David Mitchell.

These are a few of the many letters, emails and messages I have received from readers - to whom many thanks for your input. 'I finished the book last night - great read - great book - congratulations' 'I have been enthralled by your book, an extraordinary story with equally excellent structure. Your have brought together the many strands and rendered the true tale with great style - well done. It must surely become a best seller. Congratulations on a wonderful read' 'Congratulations! I loved the book and all the people in it. You covered times that I personally lived through and your research in every area was mind boggling.' I have just finished reading Tea, Love and War and I want to tell you that I found it absolutely riveting - and superbly written.' ' L loved it and just couldn't put it down - something that I haven't done with or to a book since very early days of reading. Congratulations and thanks' 'the way in which the story is told will hold, entertain and also educate the reader' 'We both thought it to be one of the best books we had read for a long, long time' 'Well done - a really good read, and I did shed a tear in a couple of places - what a story. I do feel it would make a wonderful film.' 'I thoroughly enjoyed David Mitchell's book on heart-wrenching survival under heartbreaking conditions. His research on India and the tea plantations was exhaustingly well done. Surely this has the bare bones of a movie in the future.' I hope some Hollywood mogul picks up your story and puts in on screen' 'Congratulations, I have just finished reading your literary masterpiece and loved it. I was riveted to Ann's story and what she had to go through particularly in her early life. The tragedy of war and later happiness so vividly portrayed by the family story. Well worth putting on paper.' 'I enjoyed it enormously. Three brilliant stories, all very well told. Thank you very much' 'I have just finished reading your book and would like to congratulate you on an extraordinary publication. It is a fascinating story and one which I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. I will be quite amazed if it does not become a best seller and even a film! It is one of the best books I have read - I could not put it down'

This book is one of those that you cannot put down. I have been reading it up till 2.00 am. Superbly written, it is a dramatic story, and makes us eternally grateful for those who gave their tomorrow for our today.