Now first it must be noted that the pot on the cover is not, in fact, the one described in the book. The mystery teapot is said to be "a magnificent Russian teapot" that was "gold and red and blue with little dancing bears etched around the sides." So there's that. The other surprise (and I don't believe I'm giving away too much here) is that June's beloved uncle died of AIDS. Well, I had a beloved uncle who died of AIDS, so that was another reason I was so interested in the book.
June and her older sister Greta have a very competitive relationship, and that's intriguing to me as well. I am very blessed to have a wonderful younger sister (definitely couldn't have made it through this past year without her), and yet I hear of so many women who have sisters who are just a nightmare to get along with. I can't imagine that, never having experienced it, so it's always interesting to me to read about the family dynamics when siblings don't get along.
I have tried to analyze why I liked this book, because I really shouldn't have: the uncle's death should have made me sad, the teapot artwork was misleading, and, oh yes, June mentions that she doesn't believe in God, which also made me very sad for her. And yet ... well, I loved June, and the book was just so beautifully written I found myself eager to see what happened after June got that teapot in the mail. The climax of the book was terrific, if utterly unbelievable, and yet it, too, was so well-written I didn't care about the believability factor. "Tell the Wolves I'm Home" is definitely not your usual fiction for the "tea party" crowd, but I do think some of you might enjoy it. If you've read this book, I'd love to hear your thoughts. In fact, if you've read anything good lately, I'd love to hear about it!
I'm glad the book was enjoyable, even though it wasn't what you expected. What am I reading? I just finished Susan Branch's "A Fine Romance", which was delightful, and Jeff Clemmons' "Rich's, a Southern Institution", which I also enjoyed, having grown up in Metro Atlanta, and worked for Rich's for 4years. Happy New Year and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteWow Angela, what an intriguing review. If I read much fiction I would probably search this out. I hope you are well. Have an enriching 2014.
ReplyDeleteIm 'in' Angela. Will read the book and get back to you. I just finished A Nantucket Christmas which was a nice read. Deb
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read. I just finished The Vintage Teacup Club that I received for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAs for sisters, I've always wished I had one, especially the type that would be a close friend. :-)
Happy New Year Angela.
Judith
Great review ... so intriguing, in fact, that I've placed a hold for my library's Kindle copy! I just finished The Christmas Angel by Jane Maas, which was quite good. Also, if you haven't come across The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, you should definitely find a copy. It was a delightfully told story, written as letters penned back and forth between various subjects. It draws you in from the get-go and doesn't let you go ... until the end, when you don't want to be let go at all! :)
ReplyDeleteI would like to read this! I'll look for it now.
ReplyDeleteAngela, it does sound like an interesting book, will see if our library system has it. I also read Susan Branch's "A Fine Romance," and hubby and I read aloud, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" several years ago, great book. My sister-in-law remembers eating potato peels as a substitute for cookies at the end of WWII when she was a little girl in Holland.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOh now I want to read this. It sounds like a book I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYou can find my favorite reads on my sidebar on my blog. Right now I am reading a book that I also hadn't expected to include AIDS, A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White. Really curious to see how it ends.
I don't know how I stumbled on to your blog - looking for tea recipes, I suppose. But I enjoyed your review of this book. I belong to a book club and was searching for a new title for my next selection. I came across this book and was pleasantly surprised by it. Having never read the author before, I didn't know what to expect. It was a page turner. I hope others that find themselves on your blog will seek this book out. Not for its "Tea" theme but for the pure enjoyment of reading a GOOD book.
ReplyDelete