With vintage inspired graphics and over 150 excerpts from vintage and modern literature, And Then It Was Teatime takes you into the drawing rooms, parlors, and gardens of characters you might have long forgotten about or might not ever have had the chance to become acquainted with. And all are waiting for you…with cup in hand.
The story of tea, which continues to unfold even today, is a lengthy one of many twists and turns. But, tea has also had its part to play in many other stories. Ever since its introduction in Europe centuries ago, authors the world over have allowed part of their action to take place at teatime. They have chosen to write lengthy prose about tea and they have referenced tea in private diaries and letters. The words of writer Arthur Gray are certainly true: After all, tea is the drink! Domestically and socially it is the beverage of the world...what other product can compare with tea in the high regard in which it has always been held by writers whose standing in literature, and recognized good taste in other walks, cannot be questioned?
It was at tea where Daisy Miller tormented Mr. Winterburne, where Jane Eyre first met Mr. Rochester, and where Mr. Chips got to know the new boys at the beginning of each semester. While the "mere chink of cups and saucers" has indeed tuned the minds of many characters to happy repose, others have found the tea hour to be fraught with emotion and sometimes even danger. Still others have lost or found love. There is often much more brewing than tea at teatime! And yes, the tea hour is not without its own humor.
So how should you read this book? I think you should do as was suggested of Boswell’s Life of Johnson, for like that book, this is not one to be read through from the first page to the end on first acquaintance. Rather, "Open it at random, read here and there, forward and back, wholly according to inclination so that you may truly tear the heart out of it."
Excerpt
Whoever thinks of taking coffee into a sick room? Who doesn't think of taking in the comforting cup of tea? Can the most vivid imagination picture the angels (above the stars) drinking coffee? No. Yet, if I were to show them to you over the teacups, you would not be surprised or shocked. Would you? Not a bit of it. You would say: "That's a very pretty picture. Pray, what are they talking about...?"
Professional Reviews
And Then It Was Teatime, BookPleasures.com
...take an enjoyable walk across the sundry scenes of teatime depicted in some of the much celebrated works of English literature. Through the common flair of this universal drink, the author connects her readers to the history of ideas and the view and norms of our past. A remarkable job of its own kind! Laurie Nienhaus’ book renovates the passion for two fine things in its readers: a nice cup of tea and fine literature.
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