The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, written by Lisa See, was published in 2017. The novel tells the story of Li-yan, a young girl in a remote village in China who becomes one of the region’s first tea growers. Over the course of the book, Li-yan’s life is shaped by the traditions of her Akha ethnic minority community, as well as the arrival of outsiders seeking to profit from the region’s tea production.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane Synopsis
Set in the mountains of Yunnan province, the story begins in the 1980s. Li-yan lives with her family in their remote village, learning the customs and rituals of the Akha people. When Li-yan reaches puberty, she undergoes the traditional Akha ritual of “spirit cleansing,” which includes animal sacrifice. During this rite, she meets San-pa, a tea hunter looking to buy tea leaves from Akha growers. Though their relationship is brief, Li-yan becomes pregnant with San-pa’s son. She gives birth in secret with the help of her midwife mother, and reluctantly leaves the newborn at an orphanage in a nearby city.
The story then shifts to the life of Li-yan’s son, Haley, who is adopted by a Californian couple and grows up far removed from his cultural heritage. Back in China, Li-yan struggles against traditional Akha customs, especially after her forced marriage to an abusive husband. She also begins growing and selling tea, aided by San-pa’s continued partnership. Over time, Li-yan earns enough money and respect to live more independently.
Through a series of coincidences and events, Haley is eventually connected with a Chinese philanthropist interested in helping adopted Chinese children reconnect with their cultural roots. As a teenager, Haley travels to China and makes a stop in the village where his mother still resides. In an emotional reunion, Li-yan and Haley meet for the first time.
Is a Book Sequel Forthcoming?
As of October 2023, author Lisa See has not announced plans for a sequel to The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. However, See did leave the door open for potential follow-up stories featuring Li-yan and Haley after the book’s publication.
In an author’s note at the end of the novel, See writes that she completed the book in 2014 and hoped any sequels would be made into films or TV shows. This indicates See crafted The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane as a stand-alone story, but imagined the possibility of revisiting Li-yan and Haley later on.
Lisa See’s Comments on a Sequel
In interviews over the years, See has shared mixed perspectives on writing a sequel:
- She has emphasized her focus on completing new, standalone projects rather than sequels.
- She has not ruled out a return to Li-yan and Haley’s story, but said there were no concrete plans as of early 2020.
- She said she would be open to a sequel if approached with the right story and collaboration.
Based on these comments, See sounds receptive to, but not actively planning, an official sequel novel. She seems invested in telling new stories rather than extending existing character arcs.
Could See Revisit These Characters?
Even if a direct literary sequel is unlikely, there are still possibilities See could revisit this mother-son pair in future writings:
- A spinoff novel focused on another character’s perspective of events in the first book.
- A short story or novella picking up after the ending of the original novel.
- A sequel film or TV adaptation that expands on the original source material.
Given the book’s emotional conclusion, many readers are curious what comes next for Li-yan and Haley. There is room for their story to continue in some form, whether written by See or adapted for the screen.
Will Fans Ever Get More of This Story?
Here is a summary of the likelihood of a sequel based on See’s comments:
| Possibility | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| See writes a direct literary sequel herself | Low |
| See writes a new novel featuring the same characters | Moderate |
| The story is adapted into a film or show sequel | High |
There is strong enthusiasm from readers for more of Li-yan and Haley’s story, so public interest likely makes some type of sequel possible. But See seems focused on new writing projects rather than direct follow-ups.
Li-yan and Haley’s Story Has Potential to Continue
Though unlikely as a sequel novel, Li-yan and Haley’s journey still has narrative potential in other formats:
- A movie could portray Haley returning to China often to connect with his cultural roots.
- A show could dramatize Li-yan building a successful business while navigating village customs.
- Another book could examine the challenges as Haley and Li-yan’s families integrate.
See crafted a complete storyline in The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, but left room for more after the book’s conclusion. There are many creative directions possible if she or another storyteller revisited these characters.
The Takeaway on a Sequel
In summary:
- No official literary sequel has been announced as of late 2022.
- Lisa See sounds open to revisiting Li-yan and Haley but not actively planning it.
- Possibilities like a film adaptation sequel or See writing a character spinoff still exist.
- Given reader enthusiasm, some continuation seems likely even if not by See herself.
The emotional, open-ended conclusion to The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane keeps hope alive for fans. While See focuses on new projects, she remains receptive to the right opportunity to pick up this story again. Time will tell if readers get more of Li-yan and Haley’s fictional journey.
