The story of two women who's lives intersect in late-nineteenth-century Japan. "The Teahouse Fire" is a portrait of one of the most fascinating places and times in all history-Japan as it opens its doors to the West.

It is all seen through the eyes of Aurelia, an American orphan adopted by the Shin family, after their daughter, Yukako, finds her hiding in their garden. She becomes her closest companion.

I plan on reading this book and setting it free.

To imawinn2 from your Secret Santa. Merry Christmas! Can you believe I've had this on my bookshelf since 2008 and never read it? My daughter read it and gave it back. Saw it on your wishlist and thought, I've got to read it now. Enjoy!

Oh my! I thought I had entered this, all those years back. I am so sorry! Well, I finally got a perfect chance to read this book as I have an Asian Bookbox coming my way. This is was not a fast moving read but one that took its time, detailing the Japanese tea culture through the eyes and time honored rituals of the Shin family and their adopted American orphan daughter, Aurelia. The two main characters are Aurelia and her "older sister" Yukako. The Teahouse Fire is a story of romance, cultural traditions, political change during the late 19th century, and a Japanese woman who is determined to break barriers and move her family teahouse business forward with the changing times. Yukako knows that in order to survive, she will have to use her wits and patience to bust through old social norms while adopting Japan's new Western ideas .

I enjoyed this story but, as I said before, it is a very detailed, descriptive, and slower paced one. Those who prefer a more fast paced tale may not enjoy it as much. If you are one who would like to know about the intricacies of the ancient art of Japanese tea rites/ceremonies, you will appreciate this book.

I am putting this book into AlterEgoZoe's Asian Themed Bookbox. Happy Travels!

Pulled from the Asian themed bookbox.

Haven't read this, it's still sitting on my shelf, but I just noticed the author's name. Ellis Avery died somewhat recently, I just saw an obituary for her. She went to my college (Bryn Mawr College) and died quite young. I wondered why I knew the name when I saw her obit. Looks like a good book to sink into on winter evenings. Maybe I will pull this out and read once the cold and snow are here. (with a mug of good tea, of course.)