Review – Tea with the Birds

The short story Tea with the Birds by Joanne Harris deals with how little encounters can have a lot of meaning in one’s life.

Tea with the Birds tells us the story of a lonely, somewhat anti-social woman who comes across an enigmatic neighbour. His name is Juzo Tamaoki, which just adds more exoticism to the story and curiosity for the woman. Ultimately, their brief encounter will help her discover a new way of viewing life.

Using appealing images and simple language, the author manages to get the reader involved in the mystery of Tamaoki’s personage. This character is deeply connected with another powerful image – the birds. When reading the story the reader will notice that this image can give, not only much beauty to the text, but also a metaphor concerning the “captivity” in which the woman is.

Another captivating aspect of the text is how the small quotation in the beginning – “Some people spend their lives without ever raising their eyes from the ground. Others dream of flying.” – reveals and sums up the intention of Tea with the Birds.
Personally I think, it is this intention that makes the story so interesting and attractive.

The experience of reading Tea with the Birds can be quiet and peaceful at the beginning. But once the reader starts getting involved in the hidden meanings and new perspectives of the story, it can make him “dream of flying”.

In the end, a simple change of perspective can make one’s life experience much more pleasurable.