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soliveri718's review against another edition
3.0
I finally finished this book after a month; usually I can fly through books but that was definitely not the case here. I have to say that I enjoyed reading a book that took place in Southeast Asia during the period right before WWII. It was interesting to see how the British interacted with the people in Ceylon as well as the cultural and racial attitudes of the day. That being said I found the book to be rather dry and slow to get going in the beginning.
Nevertheless the book did pick up and from there I was able to breeze through the rest of the story. On a whole I did not connect with any of the characters in the story. At times I found the main character Gwen to be likable. but at other times I felt that she was lacking. The story did keep me entertained though which is why I am giving it three stars.
Nevertheless the book did pick up and from there I was able to breeze through the rest of the story. On a whole I did not connect with any of the characters in the story. At times I found the main character Gwen to be likable. but at other times I felt that she was lacking. The story did keep me entertained though which is why I am giving it three stars.
winstonandbooks's review against another edition
2.0
The premise of this book had a lot of potential. A fascinating setting, a budding mystery, an interesting time period... but unfortunately the book fell short.
This book is SSLLLLOOOOWWWWWW. The characters are incredibly underdeveloped and border on stereotypes. The plot, while it had the possibility to be incredibly intriguing, turns out to be flat and thin. The book is heavily dependent on dialogue between characters (BORING dialogue) that does little to move the actual plot, which is quickly wrapped up in the end within - who would have guessed? - dialogue. Also, there is some major white savior complex going on in this book, which really turned me off.
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be "disappointing." I don't recommend it.
This book is SSLLLLOOOOWWWWWW. The characters are incredibly underdeveloped and border on stereotypes. The plot, while it had the possibility to be incredibly intriguing, turns out to be flat and thin. The book is heavily dependent on dialogue between characters (BORING dialogue) that does little to move the actual plot, which is quickly wrapped up in the end within - who would have guessed? - dialogue. Also, there is some major white savior complex going on in this book, which really turned me off.
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be "disappointing." I don't recommend it.
squeebacon's review against another edition
3.0
The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies, my first book by the author, was a very pleasant read. It takes place in the late 1920’s, mostly in the British Ceylon in Sri Lanka on a tea farm. The author describes the area so well; the lush garden and grounds about the house, the rows of tea leaves, and worker’s quarters. The main character (Gwen), who has spent all her time in England, is enraptured by the colors of the land and the clothing (mostly the saris that women wear) and the wonderful new foods/spices that she encounters. The book supported a well rounded amount of characters, which I was grateful for. I’ve been reading epic adventure novels recently with an overwhelmingly large amount of characters and names to remember and this book remedied that exhaustion. There were characters that supported Gwen and her recent marriage to Laurence (the tea plantation owner) as well a their child whereas there are a couple characters that are actually against Gwen and her presence in Ceylon. Throughout the book, without giving away too much, Gwen’s health and mental state deteriorates because of a secret she harbors based on one night’s events but she’s not the only one suffering. Laurence also is appears distant during times from his own secret about his previous wife. On top of this ongoing struggle, the tea pluckers are attempting to acquire more rights to better work conditions and home support. Then of course, the stock market crashes. These conflicts reminded me (and the characters) about the outside world activities and how they effected this isolated tea plantation and it’s residences.
captainbella's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
thelibraryofimagination's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this book through @thepigeonhole was such an enjoyable experience.
The Tea Planter’s Wife is the story of a woman, Gwen, who marries Laurence and moves to Ceylon to be with him. Laurence owns a tea plantation and Gwen is immediately immersed in its daily affairs. Not only does Gwen have to cope with the frustrations of the plantation, but the aggravation of not knowing the story behind the mysterious death of Laurence’s first wife. Unfortunately, Gwen also has to deal with Laurence’s selfish and sinister sister, the grumpy and uncooperative plantation manager and the suspicious financial advisor Christina. All of the new people in Gwen’s life put a strain on her that leaves her reflecting on who she is and what she is capable of.
This book is intriguing and beautifully written.
The intriguing part was the story itself. The mystery of the past was especially intense as it forced me to keep guessing as to what actually happened to Laurence’s previous wife: How did she die? Why was Laurence so unwilling to talk about her death? Ultimately, the reader is left asking these questions until the very end of the book. But any good reader could not read through without making predictions about what may have happened. Some may predict correctly, but the interesting thing is that the author leaves the reader guessing and you read on just to find out if you were correct.
The characters were captivating, especially Verity. Verity is Laurence’s awful sister, who constantly manipulates other characters for her own personal benefit. A truly awful character! Laurence left me wondering about his true affections for his wife and Gwen kept me rooting for her to stand up for herself, just once Gwen. Just once!
All in all the rich and lively characters drive the story forward.
As for the writing itself, Jeffries encapsulates the essence of Ceylon forcing the reader to embark on a sensuous journey from the very first page. There were many times I imagined the plantation as if I was there; feeling the sunshine on my face or the wind brush my hair and even smelling the exotic scents described.
If you want a book that is beautifully written, has engaging characters and an intensely mysterious story this is your next read!
The Tea Planter’s Wife is the story of a woman, Gwen, who marries Laurence and moves to Ceylon to be with him. Laurence owns a tea plantation and Gwen is immediately immersed in its daily affairs. Not only does Gwen have to cope with the frustrations of the plantation, but the aggravation of not knowing the story behind the mysterious death of Laurence’s first wife. Unfortunately, Gwen also has to deal with Laurence’s selfish and sinister sister, the grumpy and uncooperative plantation manager and the suspicious financial advisor Christina. All of the new people in Gwen’s life put a strain on her that leaves her reflecting on who she is and what she is capable of.
This book is intriguing and beautifully written.
The intriguing part was the story itself. The mystery of the past was especially intense as it forced me to keep guessing as to what actually happened to Laurence’s previous wife: How did she die? Why was Laurence so unwilling to talk about her death? Ultimately, the reader is left asking these questions until the very end of the book. But any good reader could not read through without making predictions about what may have happened. Some may predict correctly, but the interesting thing is that the author leaves the reader guessing and you read on just to find out if you were correct.
The characters were captivating, especially Verity. Verity is Laurence’s awful sister, who constantly manipulates other characters for her own personal benefit. A truly awful character! Laurence left me wondering about his true affections for his wife and Gwen kept me rooting for her to stand up for herself, just once Gwen. Just once!
All in all the rich and lively characters drive the story forward.
As for the writing itself, Jeffries encapsulates the essence of Ceylon forcing the reader to embark on a sensuous journey from the very first page. There were many times I imagined the plantation as if I was there; feeling the sunshine on my face or the wind brush my hair and even smelling the exotic scents described.
If you want a book that is beautifully written, has engaging characters and an intensely mysterious story this is your next read!
msnyderk's review against another edition
4.0
Good read. Loved the setting and how the author really put you there with her words. Different story and I didn't totally see the ending coming.
socorrobaptista's review against another edition
4.0
Uma bela narrativa cheia de malentendidos, medos, silêncios, que se intercalam com racismos e preconceitos, que podem levar à loucura ou ao suicídio. Muito lindo, chorei bastante ao final. Recomendo muito.
suehepworth's review against another edition
3.5
BOOK CLUB - my choice.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I was really enjoying it until the last couple of chapters, where I found the ending and explanations as to the birth of the colored children a bit weak. It was also a bit far fetched regarding the no memory of the "rape". Regardless, I thought the book to be well written, if a little old fashioned in places, with an unusual subject matter. What a secret to have and how heartbreaking for Lyoni to die. So, in summary, pleasant enough but not on my "must read" list.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I was really enjoying it until the last couple of chapters, where I found the ending and explanations as to the birth of the colored children a bit weak. It was also a bit far fetched regarding the no memory of the "rape". Regardless, I thought the book to be well written, if a little old fashioned in places, with an unusual subject matter. What a secret to have and how heartbreaking for Lyoni to die. So, in summary, pleasant enough but not on my "must read" list.
heatherhira's review against another edition
2.0
From the description I was expecting something along the lines of [a:Agatha Christie|123715|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1321738793p2/123715.jpg]'s [b:Endless Night|16366|Endless Night|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1329520805s/16366.jpg|1331617], and that level of intrigue was occasionally implied. However, I found the overall tone of the book distractedly inconsistent, especially when trying to balance the reality television level drama with passive character development. It felt as though the story could not decide if it were a class drama, a historical thriller, or an exotic epic.
Mind you, I read it rather quickly and it did not occur to me to give up partway. In that sense, I found the book engaging and the pacing was rather good.
The contrast of the outward conflicts (economic straights, social-political unrest) with the inward struggles (mainly guilt and depression) played well with the setting. While these conflicts--in addition to a central theme of racism--feature heavily in the plot, the handling of said topics when interspersed with the family drama often seemed overly trite, especially considering that every non-white character is portrayed as a saint and remains a flat character for the duration of the novel.
Mind you, I read it rather quickly and it did not occur to me to give up partway. In that sense, I found the book engaging and the pacing was rather good.
The contrast of the outward conflicts (economic straights, social-political unrest) with the inward struggles (mainly guilt and depression) played well with the setting. While these conflicts--in addition to a central theme of racism--feature heavily in the plot, the handling of said topics when interspersed with the family drama often seemed overly trite, especially considering that every non-white character is portrayed as a saint and remains a flat character for the duration of the novel.