The Tea Lords : a novel of Java by Hella S Haasse

The Tea Lords : a novel of Java by Hella S. Haasse

Paperback. 352 pages.

Approximate measurements: 19.5cm x 13.5cm x 2.5cm

We’re very intrigued to find this, a fiction book focusing on Java with insight into its history told throughout this story set on a plantation.

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“A compelling piece of innovative historical fiction” ~ The Sunday Times.

Born into wealth and privilege, Rudolf Kerkhoven is destined to follow his father's footsteps into the Dutch colonies, with its uncleared jungle foothills and potential for riches. When he arrives in Java he is immediately smitten by the landscape and the life, and over the seasons, Rudolf's dedication and diligence gradually transform the land into a productive estate for tea, coffee and quinine. When he meets the independent-minded Jenny and their two sons are born, Rudolf is happier than he thought possible.

But for Jenny, the damp austerity of their home, her fertility, her father's secret, and the native spirits of the land grow to overshadow their marriage and the life they've strived for together. Lusciously atmospheric and masterfully drawn, this is an unforgettable story of aspiration, determination, rivalry and romance on a tropical plantation.