Title: The Tea Planter’s Wife
Author: Dinah Jefferies
First published August 27, 2015
435 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780241969557 (ISBN10: 0241969557)
Rating: 3.79
Overview
The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies is a gripping novel set in 1920s Ceylon. Gwen Hooper, a young Englishwoman marries a charming tea plantation owner and widower.
However, she soon realizes that her husband is hiding terrible secrets about his past, including what happened to his first wife. As Gwen tries to adapt to her new life on the plantation, she discovers clues to her husband’s past, but he refuses to discuss them.
Just when Gwen thinks she has found her footing, disaster strikes, leaving her with a terrible choice. Will she keep the secret hidden or reveal the truth before it’s too late?
This page-turner will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
Exciting news! Richard and Judy have chosen “The Tea Planter’s Wife” for their autumn book club 2015. Santa Montefiore praised the book, saying, “It’s my ideal read: mystery, love, heartbreak, and joy – I couldn’t put it down.” Richard Madeley also had high praise, calling it more than a typical love story.
Set on a tea plantation in 1920s Ceylon, the book tells the story of Gwendolyn Hooper, a 19-year-old bride to a wealthy widower. But her dreams of a happy marriage are overshadowed by strange occurrences, including an old trunk of dresses and a neglected gravestone.
Her husband refuses to talk about them, and Gwendolyn begins to feel like a stranger in her own marriage.
Kate Furnivall, a renowned author, had this to say about Dinah Jefferies’ first book, “The Separation”: “A powerful story of love and loss that is utterly captivating. I was drawn deep into the world of Malaya and England in the 1950s in this intense exploration of what it means to love.
Beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric, Dinah Jefferies skillfully captures this fragile moment of history in a complex and thrilling tale. The Separation is a gripping and intelligent read.”
Jefferies drew on her own experiences, including the sudden death of her son in 1985, to write “The Separation.” Her childhood spent in Malaya during the 1950s also influenced her writing, and she expertly captures the vibrant and colorful atmosphere of the country. Although she has lived a varied life, including working as an au pair for an Italian countess and living in a rock ‘n’ roll commune, Jefferies began writing while living in a small 16th-century village in Spain.
Editoral Review
The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies is a historical fiction novel that transports readers to Ceylon during the 1920s. Published in 2015, this book tells a story of love, loss, and the secrets that we keep from those we love.
Jefferies is a British author known for her vivid descriptions of far-off places and times, and The Tea Planter’s Wife is no exception. Her rich prose paints a picture of the lush forests, misty mountains, and sprawling tea plantations of Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon).
However, amidst this idyllic backdrop, lies a sinister mystery. The novel follows the story of Gwen, a young woman who has just arrived in Ceylon to join her new husband, Laurence, who is the tea planter of an estate near Kandy.
From the moment she arrives, Gwen feels unsettled by the secrets that the people around her seem to be keeping. As she uncovers more about Laurence’s past and the dark history of the plantation, Gwen begins to fear for her life and the life of her unborn child.
Jefferies’ writing is immersive, and readers will feel as though they are transported to the exotic setting she portrays. However, while the author’s prose is beautiful, the plot itself can be somewhat predictable, and the pacing can be slow in places.
Certain plot points may feel repetitive, and some characters are not fully realized. Despite these flaws, The Tea Planter’s Wife remains an engaging read, offering a captivating storyline that will keep readers invested until the very end.
The novel also sheds light on the complex colonial history of Ceylon, highlighting the fraught relationships between the British planters and the local Sinhalese and Tamil populations. This context gives the story added depth, allowing readers to reflect on the complicated legacies of imperialism that still shape the world today.
In the end, The Tea Planter’s Wife is a well-crafted novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and those interested in exploring the nuances of colonialism. Although it may not be perfect, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, and it is undoubtedly a worthwhile read.
For those who enjoy lush descriptions of far-off lands, complicated love stories, and historical fiction that grapples with relevant themes, The Tea Planter’s Wife is a must-read.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
