Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn is the first book in A Suitcase Sisters series. The book reads as a fictionalized travel blog and it works. Perhaps the best part of the book is that although the two main characters, Fern and Lily, have challenges in their lives, they are not trying to recover from major traumatic life events or have some massive cataclysmic thing occur. Instead, it is about two friends who travel to a remote destination and discuss events that are fairly common place in the lives of regular folks. In fact, it is done so well that the average person can relate to what the main characters are experiencing.
The author spends a great deal of time describing the events and activities that Lily and Fern participate in on their trip to Africa. It is obvious the author has experienced much of this herself. What comes across really well is the feelings one might have when participating in such an experience. Readers can almost pretend they know what it would be like to be in Africa with these women. The friendship they have is genuine and they are both strong and independent enough to choose to do some activities without one another.
This book is not a speedy or intense read, but rather it is an opportunity to journey to Africa while enjoying the rich friendship of two ordinary women. It is a relief to find a story that does not assume everyone needs therapy or major disasters to have an interesting story to tell. This is a gentle read and the type one could enjoy in a hammock or some other very comfortable location. Spend some time with the wonders of Africa and two women who are not perfect or famous, but rather are extraordinary, because they are ordinary.
Review of an Advance Reader Copy provided by the Publisher
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: A character says that another character was tortured; shots are fired at animals by poachers.
Sex/Nudity: Characters discuss the possibility of a person being unfaithful to a spouse.
Mature Subject Matter:
Death of a parent.
Drug/Alcohol Use:
None
