The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly - Review

Let me just start my review by saying that this may be the best book I've ever read. Not since 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' has a novel captivated me as 'The Tea Rose' by Jennifer Donnelly has done.

I do not feel I can do this book justice by providing any sort of plot synopsis as this is one of the richest, most plot-heavy, character-developed novels I've seen in a long time. If you're looking for a general summary of the book jacket, you can start here: Synopsis

This is not your typical 'women's lit'. True, the main character is a woman, and despite all the hardship she endures, she still pines over her childhood love. But unlike typical women's lit, this novel sends a message of independence and female empowerment. Our heroine makes it her life's mission to avenge her father's death, and in her quest forsakes marriage in favor of career (which was a big deal in the 1890s) and rises to be the most powerful tea baroness on two continents. It is only after she has fully realized her potential and accomplished her goals that she can return to London to enact her revenge and reclaim the love she lost years ago.

In short, this book made me want to visit London, learn the true story of Jack the Ripper, cherish my loved ones, start my own business, and of course, read the second book in this series - 'The Winter Rose'.