Book Blurb:
Tea was the drink of China for thousands of years. But in the 1500's Buddha said "No, tea must be shared with the world." And so by a life passing through five men of history, tea became the second most popular drink of the world. This novel tells the story of that journey.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/zDZTnm
Author Bio:
I am a recently retired Pathologist and “Tea Assam” is my first novel. I first wrote a screen play for what I envisioned as a full length adventure film, but found that movie producers, in general, are not interested in unsolicited material. Therefore, I wrote a novel from my screen play and published it on Kindle Direct Publishing. I have been growing and making tea on a small scale in an urban setting for more than twenty years and in that process I have become very interested in how tea has shaped world history. This book is an effort to tell a small part of that history. I live in New Orleans, Louisiana with my wife Melissa and we have three grown children and six grandchildren. New Orleans is situated at a perfect latitude for the cultivation of tea, as well as a perfect place to enjoy food and drink, for which I have great passion. Others in the United States are also finding joy in the growing of tea and the US League of Tea Growers, of which I am one of the founding members, has been formed to promote tea agriculture. During the years 2022 and 2023 I wrote a screen play envisioning a television miniseries using tea history from which I have written a novel entitled “The Golden Chest.”. In 2023 I became aware of Artificial Intelligence (AI) art and have used that tool to illustrate “The Golden Chest.” I returned to “Tea Assam” and used AI to illustrate that novel. That revised edition is now available on Amazon. In 2024 I published a non-fiction book on my personal experiences as an urban tea farmer.
Editorial Review:
Editorial Review: “The Golden Chest: A Journey of Love and Tea”
Author: William Luer
“The Convent of Azeitao sat high on the cliff overlooking the azure waters of the Atlantic. The view was dramatic. It called out to one to come ride the sea to lands anew. Such was the view from the room of Father Gaspar da Cruz, a member of the Dominicans who saw the panorama for its beauty and nothing more. His life in the convent was complete and settled.
He was content with his lot even at his early age of 28 years old. Born in Evora, Portugal in 1520 Gaspar was drawn to the Church from the start and he found his way to Azeitao south of Lisbon as if drawn by a magnet. He greatly admired the intellectual pursuits of the Dominicans. As a friar he was able to spend time studying and was able to put what he learned to use by teaching at a nearby orphanage. But everything changed with the entry of Portugal into the Age of Discovery when the convent’s abbot, Friar Diogo Bermudes, approached Gaspar in the cloister.”
“The Golden Chest” by William Luer is the story of tea, “the second most popular drink of the world”. The novel includes both fictional and historical figures, and extremely detailed historical research, however the story itself is fictionalized. The availability of tea as a drink is something most of see as being obvious, without giving much thought to its complex history over the centuries. This novel starts in Portugal and spans the globe, moving in later chapters to India, Macau, Spain, England, and the United States of America.
“After the docking at Greenwich, the Madagascar continued up the Thames to the St Katharine Docks. She pulled into the sheltered basin and unloaded her goods. Some of the items, such as the silks were picked up immediately by merchants and hauled away from the docks. Other items, like the tea boxes, were put into numbered warehouses and agents kept records of what went where so that when merchants appeared the goods could be found. The Dutch spy Hans had made it to London on the Dutch frigate well ahead of the arrival of the Madagascar and he had planted himself as an agent. He directed the tea boxes to a warehouse where he had control of access. The unloading went on all day and there were still more goods on board. As the night fell, the work stopped. Men drifted off to taverns or home, but some stayed with the ship. The docks were quiet.”
One of the first central character is Father Gaspar da Cruz (later, Friar) a member of the Dominican Order. Gaspar was a missionary in the 1500s, and is known for writing one of the first comprehensive European accounts of Asia. In “The Golden Chest”, Gaspar leaves the convent in Portugal to travel to far flung lands and spread the word of God during Portugal’s era of expansion. With trade routes and further exploration increasing, Gaspar’s travels will mean a journey of years. At first Gaspar is reluctant to go, but he soon comes to terms with what has been dictated to him. Gaspar’s character is well-drawn, and the tension between his religious calling and his personal wishes is obvious.
Gaspar meets Anna Maria on the first leg of the voyage, and while the twists and turns of this relationship add a welcome dimension to the storyline, there are instances where the dialogue between these young lovers seems somewhat formulaic. In later years, the arranging of a visit by Anna Maria’s son to Gaspar’s ship seems nothing short of reckless (and therefore, inauthentic to the story), given the context of the visit and the secret nature of the relationship.
Sir Thomas Lipton also features in “The Golden Chest” and the historical references continue, although some are fictionalized or symbolic. It is during these chapters that the reincarnation link becomes more evident.
Luer’s writing style is detailed and lengthy, but the narrative is varied, with accounts of sea voyages, lovers’ trysts, trade discussions, and of course, tea! The narrative moves from era to era, with tea as a link throughout, and it becomes evident that certain characters are a form of reincarnation or have a higher level of connection.
“The next year found Sir Thomas at his Lipton Headquarters in the board room. He had completed his company’s transition and was presiding over his soon to be board of directors. There were several men are seated around a large table with Sir Thomas at the head. Sir Thomas began, “Well there you have it gentlemen, Lipton with all its enterprises is now a limited liability company. I shall continue to have the ultimate say so, but some of the running of this large company can be shared by others.”
One of the gentlemen, a Mr. Granger, spoke, “We think it a wise decision, Sir Thomas and we all do look forward to having our next meeting on your new steam yacht, the Erin.”
“Better make it quick,” said Sir Thomas. “I’m soon to sail off to Ceylon with the French Empress Eugenie and on my return will be racing in the America’s Cup.”
“All the more reason why we are glad that you have consolidated your businesses and relinquishing some of your control. Do you really think you are up for all this racing?” asked Mr. Granger.
“Time will tell. I say “Win with pleasure, loose with a smile!” And with that Sir Thomas bowed and left the board room.”
The ending of “The Golden Chest” is a satisfying one, reflecting the overall storyline, emphasizing the importance of tea, and drawing together the various characters who have featured.
“The Golden Chest” by William Luer is an intriguing and complex novel which will appeal to everyone who loves a story set on the high seas, with visits to distant lands, and who wants to know more about the exploration and trade which remains a foundation of today’s world. The author has included a range of fascinating historical figures and other characters that bring the narrative to life. Picking up your teacup will never be the same!
*****
"The Golden Chest” by William Luer receives 4 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To enter the HFC Book of the Year contest and request an editorial review, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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