The Drink and Dream Tea House by Justin Hall

The Drink and Dream Tea House

Justin Hall

Filled with lyrical prose, this is a delight to read. The descriptions of China for the last fifty years are gritty and honest, a delightful change from most in this genre. The leading character returns home, hoping to find his lover from his youth, but all he finds are lies and deceits from his family and neighbours surrounding the disappearance of his former lover.

Extract
Da Shan retraced the journey back to his hometown like he was returning to childhood. He'd left seven years before, on a spring day when wisteria flowers weighed heavily on the branches and afternoon butterflies danced in the sun. It had been a beautiful warm day nad he'd left thinking never to return.
Parallels
  • The Lily Theatre by Lulu Wang
  • Shanghai Baby by Wei Hui