Dearest Gigi,
How are you?
I’m sending some drawings for you to pin up in your apartment. There’s you and me, a pink sky (of course), and Yok Lan having a cup of tea. I’m told the others are of cakes.
I’ve been looking at my messy desk and thinking of all the things I forget to ask or tell you about when we call; I get so distracted talking about the little one. We’ve booked our flights for Chinese New Year; did I tell you that already? We’ll be there for at least four weeks, but I might extend if I don’t have any orders I should get back for. Tell Yok Lan we’re going to bring over those chocolate biscuits she likes. As many as I can fit in the suitcase! I hope you two have room in those kitchen cupboards of yours.
Business is booming here, Gigi. I wasn’t sure about it at first, squeezing it in with swimming lessons and playdates and everything else, but it seems to work. It’s just cakes after all; although they can take a while, especially when certain people want to eat the icing or make finger paintings on the wall with the batter. I’ve got an order for the opening of a new Russian restaurant on Brunswick Street. I think I’ll make dark chocolate with kirsch-spiked ganache, perhaps covered with the tiny gold stars I used for the Lam wedding. What do you think?
I got the article about Marjory and the Macau Samaritan award; Don sent it over. Doesn’t she look like a supermodel? All white teeth and legs up to her eyeballs. You must tell her to stop wearing such short skirts when she’s photographed with the nuns; I swear she is the sexiest-looking Mother Teresa I ever saw. I keep imagining Rilla off to one side, hiding behind a potted plant or something. Thrilled but embarrassed. They are changing the world together, those two, one girl at a time. When I come over, I want to see the foundation’s new space. Perhaps we can have a little office warming? Give them my love, will you, and tell them we’ll be there soon.
Not long until another birthday party. I can’t quite believe it, can you? Four whole years since that day Rilla picked up the phone and said you’d had a girl. It makes me catch my breath to think how big four years old is when I still have that picture in my mind of a tiny baby. A tiny baby with dark eyes and a perfect mouth. It’s gone so fast. I still wish we could see you more, but we’ve got it just about right, haven’t we? That first year was the hardest. I don’t know who cried more—you or me or her. Sad tears, happy tears, grieving and accepting tears. We could have filled the Pearl Delta, couldn’t we? Thank God for baking and for Lillian’s. We all just had to get used to missing one another so much and find that balance. I’m glad we have. It feels so good to hear laughter in your voice.
She wants to know if she gets “moon bick-its” at Chinese New Year. She remembers them from the visit before last; Yok Lan was feeding her little slivers while she sat on her knee and watched the goldfish in the pond. I haven’t the heart to tell her they’re only for midautumn festival. We might have to make a special New Year macaron instead. Actually, I was thinking of a recipe last night. It might not be appropriate for children? Lychee flavor with champagne buttercream and a sugared violet. L’Amour et les Amis, Love and Friends. Just a thought …
I’d better go. I can see a small person and a tall person walking up the street. I think someone has a balloon in her hands. We can’t wait to see you. We miss you. Hope you like the drawings. We think of you every day, Mama Gi.
Your loving family,
Gracie, Pete, and Faith
X
* * *
I put down the pen and lay the letter over the drawings, vivid crayon in energetic swirls and stripes, wobbly lines formed into cakes and stick figures. I’ll post it tomorrow. I stand up and wave out the window. Pete sees me first. He shoots me a grin and lifts a hand. Faith looks up. Her dark hair falls back from her face, and her eyes catch mine. The smile stretches from cheek to cheek. The ribbon of the balloon is wound around her wrist. As she lets go of her daddy’s hand and runs toward the house, her balloon bobs along with her. Her laughter lifts and catches on the breeze, sounding just like Gigi’s. I press my hands against the window and watch her. She calls my name with a voice full of joy and youth.
“Mama!”
Macarons
Macarons are tiny French confections made from the finest almond powder, egg whites, and sugar. They have charmed Parisians and Europeans for centuries, their crisp, sweet shells sandwiched together with creamy fillings. They are infinitely more elegant than cupcakes, daintier than tarts, prettier than pastries. Charming, meringue-like buttons, full of French couture attitude. The delight is in the changing flavors, inspired by seasons, whims, or moods. They are best enjoyed over a cup of tea and a conversation filled with secrets and gossip. These sweets have a cult following, and it is easy to see why; after your first, you will be hooked …
Acknowledgments
My grateful thanks to
• the wonderful team at Scribner; especially Whitney Frick, editor and champion of this book, I so appreciate your commitment and enthusiasm. My agent, Catherine Drayton, and the good folk at Inkwell, for your support. The nurturing team at Pan Macmillan Australia who first saw potential in Grace and Lillian’s and who worked so hard and taught me so much. To Brianne Collins, for all your generosity, tact, and insight. Because of your efforts, this dream is a reality.
• food writers and bloggers whose passion provided inspiration and distraction; especially Karen Chong of Mad Baker and Clotilde Dusoulier of Chocolate & Zucchini. Personal thanks to the gifted chef Anthony Poh, for patient and gracious instruction.
• my phenomenal friends; particularly those in Macau who were my family away from family, including but not limited to Gigi Kong, Veron Mok, Peta Lewis, Amanda Quayle, Monica Ellefsen, Kylie and Chris Rogers, Helene Wong, Faith and Paul Town, Lucie and Phil Geappen. A big thankyou to Deane Lam, for local information and friendship; the errors are all mine. To the people of Macau like Fran Thomas, Marjory Vendramini, and members of the ILCM, who try to make things a little better, thank you for your service and compassion. Warm embraces to friends in Vancouver who supported me during my juggling to get rewrites and edits complete, especially all “The Mamas.” I’ll never forget the special time and experiences we shared. Merci beaucoup to Rachelle Delaney and Helene Wong for assisting me with my (terrible) French and Ria Voros for kindhearted, sisterly buoying up. Faith and Lucie, all my love for cheerleading and inspiring me; Lucie, you are such a wonderful muse.
• my amazing whanau: Rob, Glen, Greg, and Kendall Tunnicliffe, who have believed in me and supported me, aroha nui and then some (always). Special thanks to Mum for all the flying, babysitting, draft reading, unconditional love and commitment; we love you, Nonna. To my Ballesty family, especially Paul and Wendy, who have welcomed and encouraged me so lovingly; I feel very blessed to be part of your tribe.
• my precious family: Wren Lillie, your mama adores you wholeheartedly, and Matthew Ballesty, my husband, true love, and best friend—thank you doesn’t do it justice. Somehow I am more me because of you. For cherishing me, having faith in me, and raising me up to the very last word, I love you very much.
About the Author
Born in New Zealand, Hannah Tunnicliffe is a self-confessed nomad. After finishing a degree in social sciences, she ventured from her homeland’s fair shores to live in Australia, England, Macau and, memorably, a camper van named Fred. A career in human resources and career development has been put on the back burner to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. She currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband, Matthew, and their daughter, Wren. The Colour of Tea is her first novel.
A Scribner Reading Group Guide
The Colour of Tea
Hannah Tunnicliffe
Introduction
Lost among the bustling, foreign streets of Macau, expat Grace Miller is an outsider in a strange land. Devastated by the news of her infertility and retreating from her unraveling marriage, Grace finds solace in preparing foods from her childhood and from her time spent in Paris with he
r impetuous Mama. Inspired by the dazzling displays of light on the Chinese New Year, Grace makes a bold decision to open her own small café. Among the casinos, yum cha restaurants, and futuristic high-rise apartment complexes, Lillian’s becomes a sanctuary of macarons and tea where patrons come together, bridging cultural divides, to share in each other’s triumphs and pain. But Grace’s dedication to the café comes at a price—propelling her to a rediscovery of what it means to love and herself.
Topics & Questions for Discussion
1. Hannah Tunnicliffe writes beautiful, tactile descriptions of food and the ritual surrounding food. What was your favorite or the most memorable passage about food from The Colour of Tea? Did Grace’s culinary efforts inspire you in any way?
2. What were your initial reactions to Grace and Pete’s relationship? How was their relationship impacted by their inability to start a family? Consider how both characters individually reacted to this news. Compare their relationship at the beginning of the novel to the epilogue. What has changed?
3. “I can feel so self-conscious here. So pale and tall. Too foreign. Sometimes it feels like I’ve been growing more and more foreign over the years.” How is Grace’s identity and sense of self influenced by her surroundings? How did the setting of Macau propel the narrative’s action?
4. Each chapter opens with a description of a decadent macaron—from the “Parisian Crêpe–Inspired Banana with Hazelnut Chocolate Ganache” to “Dragon Fruit Filled with Lemongrass-Spiked Buttercream.” How did these descriptions influence your reading?
5. Many of Grace’s memories of her mother, her childhood, and her relationship with Pete are connected to food. Why is food such a powerful anchor for Grace? What is your most vivid or favorite memory related to food?
6. “I guess some women have a journal; I have Mama. Ruby-red-haired Mama.” Discuss the letters Grace writes to Mama. What does Grace’s habit of writing letters that will never be sent tell you about her character? What did these letters reveal about Grace’s and Mama’s relationship?
7. Discuss the theme of motherhood and how it affects each character in The Colour of Tea. How does Grace act as a mother figure to Rilla and Gigi? Who does Grace look to as a mother figure or role model? How does Grace eventually come to terms with her relationship with Mama?
8. When Grace meets Linda for the first time, she thinks to herself: “I wish I were better at making girlfriends. Or at least understanding other women. Sometimes it feels like they are speaking another language.” Have you ever felt this way? How does Grace’s approach to relationships change by the end of the novel? Why are Grace’s female friendships so important to her?
9. Discuss the moment in the novel when Grace decides to open her own café. What drove her to this decision? How does Grace’s dream of running her own café help her let go of her dream of becoming a mother?
10. Which character are you most alike? Which character do you most admire? Whom do you think you would most likely be friends with?
11. When talking to Rilla about missing Australia and her previous life, Grace thinks to herself: “I hate this enduring need to make out that your life is perfectly blissful…. The oily lies and half-truths leave me feeling uncomfortable and queasy.” Do you think Grace herself is guilty of her own complaint? Do you think she is completely honest with herself about her own struggles? Why or why not?
12. Discuss Grace’s relationship with Léon. Why is Grace so drawn to him? What does he represent? How did you react to the fight between Pete and Léon at the tennis club? Was Pete’s anger justified?
13. Were you surprised by Pete’s confession of infidelity? Why or why not?
14. Discuss the scene where Grace finds out that Jocelyn and Rilla have been sleeping at Lillian’s. Did you understand why she felt betrayed? In your opinion, did Grace overreact? How does this discovery act as a kind of personal catalyst for Grace?
15. What did you think of the ending of The Colour of Tea? What has Grace learned from her past? From her mama’s mistakes? From her relationships with Rilla, Gigi, and Marjory? Did you have any lingering questions?
Enhance Your Book Club
1. Instruct each member in your book club to invent their own macaron and share your descriptions with the group. Reference the mouthwatering descriptions that introduce each chapter for inspiration! What flavors would you include? What color would your macaron be? If you are feeling adventurous, consider baking macarons for your book club’s meeting. For recipe ideas and tutorials on how to make these elegant confections, visit cakejournal.com/tutorials/how-to-make-macarons/ or www.marthastewart.com/318387/french-macaroons.
2. Write a letter you never intend to send, like Grace does to her mama. It can be to anyone—a friend, a family member, a historical figure, a celebrity, or even a fictional character from your favorite book. When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand? How did knowing the person you wrote the letter to would never read what you wrote influence you? Consider sharing your letters and discussing the experience with your book club members.
3. Grace is inspired to open her own café while watching fireworks on Chinese New Year, celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Rat. For more information about the Chinese Zodiac and astrology signs, visit www.astrology.com/chinese-astrology. Which animal are you and your book club members? Do you think they are accurate descriptions of your personality?
4. Visit www.HannahTunnicliffe.com to learn more about the author and to read her blog where she shares her inspiration and passion for writing and traveling.
We hope you enjoyed reading this Scribner eBook.
Sign up for our newsletter and receive special offers, access to bonus content, and info on the latest new releases and other great eBooks from Scribner and Simon & Schuster.
or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com
The Colour of Tea Page 29
