Very difficult start: infuriating superstition and ignorance, then tragic consequences thereof. Thanks to reviews and encouragement from friends, I kept reading, and am glad I did.

The story is sweet and well told. Almost entirely first-person narration, very effective: a strong voice with quite satisfying growth over time. Rich and fascinating cultural details. Rather more about tea than I’d ever imagined wanting to know—I am firmly Team Coffee—but to my surprise I ended up appreciating those parts. Appreciating the book and its characters quite a lot.

The infrequent (and mercifully brief) shifts into epistolary or dialog narration were awkward, even cringey at times. But, okay, we need exposition, and I appreciate keeping the book under four hundred pages. What disappointed me most was that the story arc was too pat. Too many convenient coincidences. They added to the overall tender tone, but made it feel fluffier. Maybe if you go into it with that expectation you’ll be more forgiving than I.

Oh, be sure to read the author’s Acknowledgments at the end. Impressive.