The Tea Planter's Wife

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Gwen is the new bride of Laurence Hooper, the widowed owner of several tea plantations in Ceylon. He's very secretive about the death of his first wife, and Gwen is not allowed to talk with the workers in the tea fields. Gwen is also confused about Laurence's relationship with a beautiful American businesswoman. His devious, emotionally needy sister is not trustworthy. Eventually it is Gwen herself who is keeping information from Laurence that could possibly destroy their marriage. Variety said "The jungle campaign against local terrorists is depicted against a • commonplace domestic drama" and said "later action sequences compen- sate for the lame opening." [29] Legacy [ edit ] Warned by Laurence “to stay away from work matters” for her own safety, not to wander unaccompanied, and only allow Naveena, the Sinhalese servant woman to see her in her nightgown, Gwen feels like her husband is treating her like a child.

U doba u kojem se odvija radnja, Ceylon (današnja Šri Lanka) bio je kolonija Velike Britanije u kojoj je „šačica“ britanske elite, uglavnom plantažera, uživala u luksuzu i raskoši svojih imanja, dok je lokalno stanovništvo jedva preživljavalo radeći na plantažama (u jako lošim uvjetima, uz okrutne kazne, često bez ikakve medicinske pomoći) ili kao kućna posluga. Pravila su strogo određena; nema kontakata s mještanima, oni znaju „gdje im je mjesto“ iako, već '40.god. sve je više nemira, rasplamsava se borba za neovisnost te Englezi počinju shvaćati da se stvari mijenjaju i da dolazi novo doba kojemu se moraju (čim prije) početi prilagođavati. I have to say that I felt that the written style is heavy and not easy to follow. The first chapter of the book is difficult to get into, and the way the author has written it does not help. There are some scenes where people have some difficulties, and are dealing with their not insignificant problems; you are full of sympathy for the characters, but the writing does get in the way. The Tea Planter’s Wife is a story of guilt, betrayal and untold secrets vividly and entrancingly set in colonial era Ceylon. A haunting, tender portrait of a woman forced to choose between her duty as a wife and her instinct as a mother...A highly atmospheric story, rich in details of time and place, suppressed secrets, and passions. Love, hate, and the heartbreaking misunderstandings caused by allowing the past to fester in darkness all add up to a good read.’ When Laurence arrives Gwen tells him that she has met Savi, who was very kind. Laurence frowns but says nothing. He doesn’t need to; Gwen feels his displeasure. At nineteen years of age Gwendolyn Hooper was young to be leaving home and venturing half way across the world to live in a new country. But her recent marriage to Laurence meant leaving her home in London and joining him in Ceylon where he owned a large and prosperous tea plantation. Her journey by sea was long and tiresome but her excitement was great. Her arrival though was fraught with worry and concern when Laurence wasn’t there to meet the ship. When a young coloured man by the name of Savi Ravasinghe came to her aid, leading her to a hotel to wait in the cool interior, she was grateful. But little did she realize that Savi would feature in her life in the future...

Laurence's sister, Verity, shows up and throws a monkey wrench into the work. She is a very unpleasant woman who does incredibly mean things. Gwen gets pregnant and it is the birth that changes their lives for ever. It is really an unique situation that I never had heard of before this. The Tea Planter’s Wife is an exemplary novel, written with a lush literary prose, which pulls me deep into the landscape and historical setting of colonial Ceylan.

Dinah Jefferies

A wonderful book, deeply touching, and an unforgettable read that swept me away. I loved it." - Kate Furnivall, author of The Italian Wife Vagg, Stephen (23 September 2020). "The Emasculation of Anthony Steel: A Cold Streak Saga". Filmink. Cu el plecat toata ziuam ea incearca sa inteleaga cum decurg lucrurile la ferma si de ce exista atat de multe diferente sociale. In momentul in care ramane si insarcinata, lucrurile se complica, autoarea reusind sa-mi dea palpitatii. My ideal read; mystery, love heartbreak and joy—I couldn’t put it down.” —Santa Montefiore, author of The Beekeeper’s Daughter

Life continued with Gwen loving Ceylon and her marriage to Laurence – the occasional problems were fairly easily sorted out and with Gwen in charge of the house, she enjoyed running things as she saw fit; it was Laurence’s way of showing his trust in her. But would their happiness remain? The speed that the unexpected disaster hit had her reeling; but there was no way Gwen could divulge the truth – her sanity depended on it. What would happen to Gwen? Could she keep the secret that she knew would mean the end of everything she had worked so hard for? This is the story of a nineteen year old girl, Gwen, who travels to her new husband's, Laurence, tea plantation in Ceylon in 1925. She settles into a new life in a new country with only a few bumps. The setting is beautifully brought alive by the author and you can close your eyes and see the vivid landscape. The tea plantation is also brought to life and the process of making tea is actually quite fascinating. Phillip to see 'Cruel Sea' premiere". The Argus (Melbourne). No.33, 225. Victoria, Australia. 27 February 1953. p.16 . Retrieved 5 September 2020– via National Library of Australia. But in the delivery room, while Laurence is away, Gwen is faced with a terrible dilemma – and a choice she feels she must hide from Laurence at all costs. Can she keep such a powerful secret? How will he ever forgive if he finds out what she has done? Who did you think the woman in the prologue was and where did you think she was going? Did your perception of this character change as you read the novel?Bez obzira na onu staru mudrost da se „knjiga ne sudi po koricama“ u slučaju „Supruge vlasnika plantaže čaja“ upravo je naslovnica bila ta koja mi je „zapela za oko“ kada sam prvi puta vidjela najavu za ovu knjigu.. Onda sam brzo išla provjeriti što piše u sadržaju, čisto da budem sigurna da se ne radi o nekom tipičnom „ne podnosimo se, a onda shvatimo da se ludo volimo“ ljubiću koje ja baš i ne ljubim,🙈 iako sam nekako od prve imala osjećaj da je ova knjiga (puno) više od toga. I osjećaj me nije prevario…Ipak su tu godine čitalačkog iskustva pa se razvije onaj „osjećaj za filing“ kojim, vjerujem, svatko od nas može prilično brzo procijeniti da li se radi o knjizi koju želi čitati ili ne. Brian McFarlane, An Autobiography of British Cinema by the Actors and Filmmakers Who Made It, Methuen 1997 p 26