72 pages • 2 hours read
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
400
Novel • Fiction
China • 1990s
2017
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See follows Li-yan, a young girl from a remote Akha village in China, whose life transforms dramatically as she navigates cultural traditions, unexpected pregnancies, adoption, and her ambition for education and success in the tea business. The novel deeply explores themes of identity, mother-daughter bonds, and cultural evolution. Sensitive topics include cultural taboos and intense emotions surrounding adoption.
Emotional
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Inspirational
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
128,184 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See is widely praised for its rich cultural detail and emotional depth, providing an insightful look into Chinese ethnic minorities and adoption. The narrative, however, can be predictable, and some readers found it overly sentimental. Despite minor flaws, its compelling characters and heartfelt story resonate with many.
Who Should Read The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane?
Readers who enjoyed Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club or Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere will be captivated by Lisa See's The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. Ideal for those who appreciate rich family sagas, cultural exploration, and emotional journeys spanning generations.
128,184 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
400
Novel • Fiction
China • 1990s
2017
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.