Customer Reviews

All the Tea in China

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Bonfiglioli is at his best in ALL THE TEA IN CHINA . It is a satire of the English which employs an historical perspective in a unique way. The narration employs social history using the form of a patriarch's memoir to his descendants. Full of admonitions and asides about inheritance, or the lack thereof, Bonfiglioli raises the non sequitor to an art form and re-creates the world of 19th century England and its mercantile destiny. His sense of character, the pacing of his narrative, all make for wonderful reading. In fact, one can read him too fast- it is necessary to re read to fully appreciate his humour and insights. And re-reading is perhaps more rewarding than one's first impression of this original writer. This is a book which proves hard bindings aren't obsolete .

Unscrupulous wastrel (and moma's boy), trysts with the wrong maidens and consequently must flee mid 19th century Holland for the wonder and wealth of the Far East. Author has a wonderful sense of place, invoking the taste and smells of the period, delighting in plot twists, daring escapes, flim flams and danger while providing an insightful travelogue. Not simply a ribald send up of the genre, but an affectionate tribute worthy of Stevenson, Defoe and Dumas. In flavor, comparable to Flashman saga

KB at his best! The Mordecai Books could only give a reader the slightest inclination of the delights of ATTIC (All The Tea In China) - a fantastic romp (no other word will do) round the globe and human conditions!

A must read for any sporting young man!