Sophia C. reviewed on 4/23/2012 + 289 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

The Teahouse Fire offers a sweeping look at a time of tremendous historical upheaval: 19th century Japan emerging from the Tokugawa Shogunate into the Meiji Restoration and opening up to the western world. Aurelia is the first-person fictional memoirist born in New York to a French mother and is brought to Kyoto, Japan by her missionary uncle. By a twist of fate she ends up adopted by the Shin household, masters and teachers of the Japanese tea ceremony. Aurelia, renamed Urako, is a servant-cum-confidante to Yukako as she navigates the family through uncertain times. The story is a bit slow-going at first as Aurelia is confused by the language barrier. Having studied the Japanese tea ceremony, Ellis Avery infuses the story with detailed but relevant accounts of chado. In fact, Avery does a very good job of incorporating the historical moment into the story arc instead functioning as a mere backdrop. There is a large supporting cast of characters, including many strong female characters, but they each have a role to play in this small world. I found the ending a bit contrived, but then so is the entire premise for this moving story about historical change, family obligation, longing, and love.

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