Chai Tea Sunday

by Heather A. Clark

Explore the true resilience of the heart and our raw determination to find goodness in a world fraught with adversity One woman’s courage in the face of personal tragedy is at the heart of Heather A. Clark’s debut novel. Thirty-three-year-old Nicky Fowler thought her whole life was mapped out ― a rewarding career as a third grade teacher, an adoring husband, and the perfect house in the suburbs ― but complicated fertility issues lead to a devastating tragedy. Nicky’s marriage crumbles and she’s left unable to cope with her now-changed life. When Nicky accepts a volunteer teaching position at an orphanage in Kenya, she finds that life there is unlike the world she’s known. Drought has brought famine, violence is everywhere, and the jaded orphanage director takes out her hatred on the parentless children. But Nicky finds strength in Mama Bu, her host mother, who provides wisdom and perspective over cups of chai, Kenya’s signature drink. Nicky comes to realize that she must do much more than teach the orphans ― she must save them.

Genres: Fiction, Book Club, Canada, Africa, Contemporary, Travel, Ebooks

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Heather currently lives in Oakville, ON with her husband, three children and miniature wiener dog, Duke. When not writing, Heather enjoys reading, travelling, spending time with her family and drinking red wine with her girlfriends.

Reviews

[Liralen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing, I'm afraid. The story of a woman who, after loss and subsequent separation from her husband, decides to go voluntour in Kenya.

I was more or less on board for the first while, although frankly Part I of the book—when Nicky and her husband are struggling to conceive and then facing the aftermath of loss—felt like overdramatic backstory. I don't mean to trivialise what she went through, because I know it's a real experience and painful for many...but it didn't make me sympathise with Nicky in the way it was meant to, and it felt like a prelude to the real story.

Except then...Nicky goes off to Kenya to volunteer as a teacher in an orphanage. She has a homestay family, who are kind and loving and provide Nicky with life lessons as needed, all the while getting zero character development of their own. They don't mind when Nicky expresses surprise that they have a television and cell phones; they don't mind when she points out their lack of screens in the windows; they don't mind when she tells the minister how glad she is to hear that he speaks English. Or when she expresses shock and sorrow, repeatedly, at how violent Kenya is. Instead they just love her—love how wonderful she is with the children; love how she overhauls the curriculum in a day(!) despite having no experience with multi-level education (i.e., multiple grades of students in a classroom); love how she helps eject the abusive orphanage director, then steps in to take her role, then immediately reconciles with her husband and decides to throw money at the problem instead.

Oh, I don't know. I'm probably not being fair. It's just...I don't know. Nicky berates her husband for not grieving in the way she wants him to, for not talking through things with her, and then when the going gets tough in Kenya she cuts off their delicate, freshly renewed contact. I'm not sure she ever really realises that she's in a pot-kettle-black situation. It's really frustrating to see her waltz into a situation, criticise, sop up praise for being white and educated, and then leave when it's convenient. Possibly more realistic (see above re: not being fair), but...if I give it a pass on that level, do I have to give it a pass for it being realistic that a Western character temporarily in a different country/culture might be oblivious to the lives of those around her? To their character arcs? Only Jebet gets much of an arc, and that's all backstory to explain why she's so abusive.

So...normally books set in Africa end up sticking around for a long time on my shelves, even if I find parts problematic, but, well. I've run out of space. This one just might have to get the boot.

[Joanne Guidoccio · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Heather Clark was pregnant with her second child, she started writing Chai Tea Sunday, a novel inspired by her Cousin Rachel’s teaching experiences in Kenya. Moved by stories of the remarkable orphans who gave so much unconditional love, Clark put pen to paper and crafted this tender and hopeful debut novel that can be easily read in one or two sittings.

Nicky and Eric Fowler appear to have it all. The elementary school teacher and lawyer have rewarding careers and live very comfortably in Toronto, within short driving distances of their respective families. After they suffer a devastating loss, their picture-perfect marriage falls apart.

Eric throws himself into his job and Nicky heads off to Kenya to volunteer as a teacher in an orphanage. While there, she stays with a host family headed by the enigmatic Mama Bu, a wise woman who shares chai tea and life lessons on Sunday afternoons.

I was surprised to discover that Clark has never been to Kenya. She relied exclusively on her cousin’s stories, journals, pictures and videos. She also added her own research of Africa and interviewed an Ontario court judge, a renowned fertility expert and Swahili translators

Her impeccable research skills are evident throughout the novel and add to its authenticity.

I could easily visualize the colourful Ngong market…

“Hectic rows of little stands filled with fruits and vegetables were flooded with Kenyans pushing up into each other, shaking hands or slapping each other on the back…Bright yellow bananas and mangoes were everywhere, with a few stalls offering shoppers unrefrigerated meats and eggs. Fire-engine red tomatoes were piled high into pyramid shapes, and oversized woven baskets were filled with the same bobby beans I had seen in Mama Bu’s garden. Purple eggplant lay beside various greens of cabbage, limes and snow peas, and the smell of spices wafted from the food stalls offering nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon.”

And the single classroom that housed thirty-five pupils of eight different levels…

“No kids’ paintings hung on the crumbling cement walls, the thick globs of bright red and purple brushstrokes were still drying from that morning’s art lesson…It was simply a dirty, bare room. Squished together rows of rectangle tables were used as desks. Lining the tables were benches, some broken and some not. All scrunched together in an attempt to ensure that as many students as possible could fit into the classroom.”

A portion of the proceeds will go to Artbound, a charity that provides clean water, medical care, food, and funds to build schools in developing nations.

An excellent debut! I look forward to reading Heather Clark’s next novel, to be released in 2014

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author for this book. It is now 2am, so, evidently, I could not put it down, and though this occurs with many novels I read, very few linger within me once I have flipped the final page. This entire story is close to my heart as my biggest passions in life are children and helping those less fortunate, and I am so often mesmerized by the love and hope those with so little have to offer. I've known for a long time that I want to work in places such as Kenya and Ecuador and though it is always in my mind, with today's busy world, sometimes it gets pushed to a back seat. Chai Tea Sunday re-ignited the passion within me. Within the first 100 pages I was outwardly exclaiming to myself "This is what I want to do. This is it." I shed tears, anxiety, and literally jumped for joy.
The author's writing style is gorgeous, her method of story telling, brilliant, and the ability to capture the ways of the heart, captivating. It is becoming increasingly harder to find writers with this level of talent nowadays, and I look forward to sharing this book with others and personally re-reading it multiple times.
Thanks again to the author for putting the time and effort, I have no doubt she did, into this book. It's already made it's way onto my favourites list and into my heart.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST DEBUT NOVEL!!!

Story Description:

ECW Press|April 1, 2012|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-1-77041-082-4

Explore the true resilience of the heart – and one woman’s determination to find hope in a world fraught with adversity

Thirty-something Nicky Fowler has it all – a rewarding career, a loving husband and the perfect home. But when she and her husband suffer a complicated tragedy, the strain of two people dealing with an impossible situation in different ways breaks up their marriage.

Emotionally lost, Nicky travels to Kenya to volunteer at an orphanage. Amidst the violence and abject poverty, Nicky discovers the one thing that keeps Kenyans moving forward: hope. Over steaming mugs of chai, the country’s signature drink, Nicky opens up to her host mother, Mama Bu, and finds understanding, love and strength. And with that strength, Nicky realizes what she needs to do to save the endangered children she’s grown to love. Based on a true story, CHAI TEA SUNDAY is a glorious portrayal of the power of the human spirit.

My Review:

Heather Clark’s debut novel CHAI TEA SUNDAY is going to be a big hit!! Tender, startling, filled with sadness, violence, yet hope, goodness and the Kenyan spirit teaches Nicky some major life lessons that she will apply to the rest of her life.

Nicky and her beloved husband, Eric, suffer a terribly devastating and sad loss that would knock the wind out of any parents. Each encompassed in their own grief and dealing with it in different ways their marriage falls apart and they separate after some thirteen very happy years together.

Eric throws himself into his job as a lawyer and Nicky heads off to Kenya, Africa to volunteer as a teacher in an orphanage after her school principal in the United States suggests she take some time off to get her grief in order as it was having a profound effect on her Grade three students.

What Nicky finds in Kenya in her host family is, Mama Bu. An intelligent and wise woman who teaches Nicky what holds Kenyans together in the face of such abject poverty and starvation – hope, chai tea, and a forever friendship. However, Nicky is sickened when the current director of the orphanage is less than kind to the children and she strives to find ways to cope with the injuries these young children suffer while at the same time trying not to interfere to the point she is kicked out. The last thing these kids need is to lose Nicky, their only source of love and hope.

Apparently this novel is based on a true story and I was mesmerized and read it in one sitting. I just couldn’t put the book down and didn’t want it to end. This is one novel I won’t soon forget and it has earned a spot on my “permanent” book shelf! Congratulations Mrs. Clark on a wonderful debut novel!!! I will certainly be spreading the word about this new and wonderful Canadian author.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - what a story! It was refreshing to read a book that kept me glued to the pages as I haven't found one in a very long time. Nicky became my best friend when I read this book (I literally felt like I knew her) and the author did such a wonderful job conveying the emotion of a really difficult plot. I felt like I was drawn into the book, and living the story alongside the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a really good read. It is guaranteed not to disappoint you!!

[Kelly L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by far one of the best books I've read in a long time. It captured my attention at the very beginning and never let me down. I read it every spare moment I had and as great as the ending was, I'm a little sad it had to end. I enjoyed learning about Kenya as well as seeing Nicky and Eric find their way after enduring an incredible loss. Everything about the writing was relateable and I intend to buy copies for my friends.

[Melodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the death of her new born daughter and subsequent collapse of her marriage, Niky Fowler flees from Canada to Kenya to teach in an orphanage. Immersing herself in the culture while being shocked at the conditions there, she is befriended by her host, MamaBu.
Day by day,she finds herself falling in love with the children there,while battling the squalor and the seeming indifference to their safety and well being. When events come to a head, Niky must make a decision to stay on or go back to her life in Canada.
I know this sounds like a Hallmark or Lifetime movie. It is predictable to a fault. But overall it's a sweet story that works. And there is good education for those who are open to it. The author draws heavily from a friend's real teaching experiences in Kenya.

[Karen Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story with a satisfying ending. I listened on oneclickdigital, the library's audio download and it was well read and a good listen.

Nicky Fowler and he husband suffer the loss of their newborn daughter and grieve that loss differently causing them to separate. Nicky goes to Africa and works in an orphanage. A simple enough "plot", but the story is rich in character and sense of place. I loved it.

[Iman · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, I just could not put it down. It had been a while since I was so excited to finish a book and this one did the job just right. Clarke's first novel is heart wrenching, so moving and for the lack of a better word, amazing. I became so invested in the story and the characters that I cried and laughed with them. It is officially one of my all-time favourites.

[Natalie Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't get into. It's not holding my interest at all so I'm moving on to something else.

[TamW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, inside and out....So hard to believe this is a debut novel. I will certainly be looking for Heather's name penned on any future novels.

I fell in love with the characters, with the journey, with the emotion. I connected deeply to this book...While I've not been through the tragedy or journey specifically in this book, it spoke to me in my own life....

I found myself writing down quotes from the book that really stood out...These two quotes are something I've learned and am grateful to have learned it...and watching the main character understand these concepts made me smile so much, with very deep understanding....and connection:

"You can't always control what happens to you, but you can control your response and how you react to it." (said by Mama Bu, a nurturing Kenyan woman who chooses to see the best in people and shows incredible insight throughout the book...Mama Bu is someone I think everyone should meet in their lives at least once !)

"No longer think of carrying the cross as a burden, but something that will ultimately lead you to a greater place."

The next quote showed how a somewhat passive character, Nicky, found gumption and I fell a little more in love with her (yes, I said "her"):

"Foot by foot, step by step, I became a sweaty, dusty ball of rage. By the time we reached the orphanage, my damp clothes were stuck to my aching everything and I was ready to tackle Jebet."
(I could totally feel her carrying that water and growing angrier with every step...I've been there...passive to a ball of fire ready to throw someone down for all the right reasons !)

And this is what our main character says of Mama Bu:
"A way of encouraging me to think beyond only my view. Her words gave me perspective." Mama Bu was full of good reason and good perspective...I loved her too....

This is a must-read ! I can't say enough how much I loved this book.

[Diana Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally recommend this book!!!!!! I loved it, but found myself several times reaching for the kleenex box. When Bev and I first saw this book, we both thought it sounded interesting, and but it for our kobos. I have been hesitating reading it for some time, as I have been disappointed with a several books that were highly recommended. Bev and I decided to read it before Christmas so that we could discuss it during my visit. I read almost half of it while on the bus ride up to North Bay.

I am totally surprised that there has been no chatter (as far as I am aware) about Chai tea Sunday. I was pleasantly surprised how quick and easy it was to read, as well that the author's words just flowed through me. I will admit I had to stop reading a couple of times, to allow the emotions that were pulled from to settle down.

The book seemed to be so real, that I wonder whether it is based on fact (will check later).

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I started reading this book I could not put it down. I was originally drawn to learning about the relationship of Nicky and her husband, then I was torn as they battled difficulty. As Nicky moved her life accross the country to try to regain a sense of herself I packed my bag to join her.


The life lead in Kenya was one I haven't had the opportunity to glimpse into often and I truly enjoyed the Historical aspects, the understanding of life there and the development of some amazing characters. I was really drawn to Mama Bu and how she leads her life and treads so lightly around the issues of the orphanage. All the while she is really planting the seeds in Nicky for her future and making sure to right the wrongs and better the lives for the children at the orphanage! This was a fantastic book and one I am so glad I got the opportunity to read and review!

[Carmen Martino · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was more a 2.5 than 3. I did think the author researched some of the topics well (infertility, African poverty & lack of what we take for granted, signs of child neglect and abuse). However, I didn't find the dialogue at all convincing. The conversations between Nicky and Mama Bu and other Africans were primarily based on North American vocabulary and slang and did not take into consideration how someone who's native language is not English would speak. The dialogue was also simple and seemed contrived. I enjoyed the premise of the book and the story, but the author's writing was simple and lacked the richness that I was hoping for given that most of the story took place in Africa.

[Seana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started out absolutely awful. Briefly improved a little bit. Then nope. Total disappointment. It was like listening to a 3rd grader read an essay aloud for hours and hours in a monotone voice devoid of any details or emotion. Very poor writing. Seemed amateurish. Another review stated it seemed like what a first or second draft of a novel might be - not a finished product. I agree!!! And the ending? Uuuuugggggh. Insert huge eye roll. I'm shocked that this book has such great reviews. I really am. It's not the worst I've ever read but it definitely scores in the bottom 20 or so. And I read a lot of books.

[Kymberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms Clark's debut novel CHAI TEA SUNDAY is going to well received, on many book club lists and talked about around the water cooler! The story is tender, beautiful, sad, and yet filled with hope!

With no spoilers Nicky and her husband Eric are struggling with fertility issues; a devastating loss sends them both reeling. Eric retreats within himself and Nicky heads to Kenya to teach in an orphanage. It is here that her true journey begins.

Pour a cup of Chai, snuggle in with a blanket and read away. This is book to get lost in.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. This novel captured me from the beginning. It's a beautifully told story of how people deal with grief and how it affects them and the people around them. Not only that but it shows how you can grow from it or you can let it consume you and change you for the worst. Deeply moving.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chai Tea Sunday was a fantastic read. Right away I felt connected to the characters and absorbed into their lives. The way the author described Africa made me feel like I could visualize it in real colour and form. I finished this book with a new found understanding and appreciation for a part of the world I really knew quite little about.

[Julie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I picked it up solely based on the name of the book. Chai tea is my favourite. Don't let the easy, sweet sounding title deceive you. This book is meaty with sadness, loss, love and hope. A fantastic debut novel. I can't believe that I hadn't heard of this book before. It deserves more attention than it is getting.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly engrossing novel. I read this in a very short amount of time and I think it is because of two things. I deeply related to the pain of the main characters & I am very intrigued by Africa. A bit of a picture perfect ending but I wasn't expecting that since the ENTIRE book is relatively sad...so it works.

[Carol Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved. Anyone looking for a great read that they can't put down should pick up this book. I bawled my eyes out and couldn't stop reading, but there are also some really tender, heartwarming moments as well. And it doesn't end sad - that's all I will say.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and would most definitely reccommend it to everyone! An emotional roller coaster with a delightful ending. I felt so close to the characters and at the same time so thankful for all that I have in my life.
I look forward to another novel by Heather Clark!

[Katrina Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading this book last week for my book club and I couldn't put it down...it totally drew me in. In fact, almost a week later, I am still thinking of it. This is a fantastic read that is lined in hope. There aren't enough books out there like it. I loved it!!

[Bethany Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT!!!! I started and finished this book yesterday - I couldn't put it down. Amazing read that it at the top of my recommendation list!!! I'm a little sleepy today as I was up so late reading it. :)

[Peggy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am up to the point of the end of the marriage and am thinking of stopping. So far it seems like awful chick lit. I find the writing is at the level of eng comp 101. Does it get better?

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Absolutely terrible. The girl cannot write. Hopefully this is her first and last book. I couldn't wait for it to be over.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, all I can say is the first few chapters I cried. It is a very interesting story when the character goes to Kenya. It was definitely a Chai cup of tea for the soul. It warmed me in many ways!

[Rachel Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book! Beautifully written, captivating story. It was hard to put down and well worth staying up too late to read.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It gripped my heart strings and I didn't want to put it down. A definite must read.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hard time putting this one down, had me in tears a lot along the way with the sad premise involved.