17 December 2009

Thursday Tea: Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian

I have just started listening to Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. Although I'm not even hour in, I am already totally absorbed. The book begins in January 1945, with Anna Emmerich's wealthy family escaping Prussia as the Russians are bombing the countryside.

With the family is prisoner of war Callum Finella, a Scotsman, who had been assigned to do forced labor on the Emmerichs' farm. On their way to the safety of the Allied lines, they befriend the German solider Manfred, who is secretly an escaped Jew named Uri Singer.

The Tea. I'm drinking Adagio's Yunnan gold tea. This is a wonderfully scented black tea that Adagio describes as "easily identified by its luscious soft leaves and . . . unique peppery taste." This has been the perfect drink for the recent chilly afternoons. I've been brewing it strong and drinking it black and unsweetened.

The Assessment. I am sure that no one in Prussia in 1945 is drinking exotic tea. The Emmerichs may have had this China tea before the Russian invasion, but no one is drinking it now; they are lucky to have water.

What's on your reading list this week? And what's in that mug or glass?



Thursday Tea is hosted by Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog. Here's how it works: Tell us what tea you are drinking (and if you like it). And then tell us what book are you reading (and if you like it). Finally, tell us if they go together.

Source: Borrowed (see review policy).
FTC: I buy all teas myself, I am not a tea reviewer.

16 comments:

Sandra 12/17/09, 7:41 AM  

I really enjoyed this book, as well as Double Bind, and want to read more by this author. Enjoy your story.

Margot 12/17/09, 11:29 AM  

The plot of this book sounds super. Hope it delivers.

JoAnn 12/17/09, 11:44 AM  

I've found that I enjoy Bohjalian's books even more as audios. Before You Know Kindness was excellent. I'll check this out, too!

Literary Feline 12/17/09, 11:53 AM  

I'm looking forward to reading this one.

I am planning to settle in with my book soon--and a mug of hot mint chocolate with lots of marshmallows.

bermudaonion 12/17/09, 2:49 PM  

The book sounds wonderful. I could use some of that tea down here right now.

Steph 12/17/09, 7:53 PM  

I loved this book -- I must've read it about a year ago. One of the things I found so compelling was that it illuminated an aspect of World War II that isn't often written about.

Anastasia @ Here There Be Books 12/17/09, 9:03 PM  

Peppery-tasting tea? I'm not sure if I'm imagining that correctly. Is it really a really strong tea? I wonder if I can get it somewhere around here-- I really want to try it!

(Btw, your link to the tea actually leads to a Celestial Seasonings page.)

Whitney 12/17/09, 10:32 PM  

Peppery tasting tea? That sounds interesting. I've heard really good things about Skeletons at the Feast, I hope you continue to enjoy it.

Anonymous,  12/18/09, 4:16 AM  

It seems I'm not the only one drinking spicy tea on a cold winter erm... fall day!

I'm playing this week!

Beth F 12/18/09, 6:34 AM  

Oops! Link is fixed now!!

Julie P. 12/18/09, 8:59 AM  

Love the author, but I have to share a wonderful tea with you.

It's Harney & Sons Holiday Tea (spiced black tea.) It's just so yummy!

Greg Zimmerman 12/18/09, 12:28 PM  

Such tremendous characters in this novel - loved it. (Way, way better than Double Bind, which I thought was really poor.)

Greg

Jen - devourer of books 12/18/09, 1:00 PM  

I've read some of his work that I've really enjoyed, can't wait to hear more about what you think about this!

sanjeet 12/18/09, 3:09 PM  

Before You Know Kindness was excellent. I'll check this out, too!

Work from home India

Becca 12/19/09, 8:18 PM  

I really enjoyed Midwives. I look forward to reading this one, too.

S. Krishna 12/22/09, 10:28 AM  

I've only read one book by Chris Bohjalian (The Double Bind) and loved it. I'll have to try Skeletons at the Feast!

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