The Tea House on Mulberry Street

by Sharon Owens

Book Overview

Maeve Binchy meets Joanna Trollope (Irish Independent) in the American debut of the international bestseller. Behind the chocolate cappuccinos at Muldoon's Tea Rooms are the stirrings of a revolution that will heal troubled hearts and reveal to the proprietors what truly matters in life and love.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399152652
• ISBN13: 9780399152658
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Putnam Adult
• Length: 323 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A delightful new author

The Tea Room on Mulberry Street sat in my "to be read" pile for several months. It didn't help that the person who gave it to me mentioned "she writes like that Maeve Binchy you like so much". Usually when such comparisons are made, the newcommer is lacking..... Sharon Owens shares the same Ireland that Maeve writes about....but writes in her own unique style. Her Ireland is contained within the streets of Belfast, and the inhabitants are usually hard working, ordinary people. Ms. Owens infuses each with humanity and humor and is never condenscending. Muldoon's Tea Room has seen better days, but is the refuge for several people. Sadie, nipping in to sneak a treat or two without the disapproving comments from her husband and his parents. Brenda writing letter after letter to Nicholas Cage, as she nurses a cup of tea...all she can afford. Henry, escaping from his upwardly mobile wife and her Bronte loving group. While seeking refuge in Muldoon's he notices Rose in the flower shop across the street. Overseeing all this and more are Penny and Daniel Stanley...a married couple who run the tea room. Tea room is almost too grand a title for the bedraggled shop where Daniel perfects his cherry cheesecske and seems intent on hoarding every penny thay comes his way. Penny, at first greatful for Daniel's proposal of marriage has become weary fo his penny pinching ways and worries he married her for the tea shop she inheirited when her parents were killed. She wonders if there is a different life for her, and worries about what Daniel might be hiding. These and others provide the everyday traffic through Muldoon's. Each character is well thought out and the story lines are ubique and believeable. Shelia's storyline is especially enjoyable and the resolution of her marriage had me laughing until tears came to my eyes. I had a hard time putting the book down once I started and became really attaschd to these characters. I was sad to see this book come to an end and look forward to Ms. Owen's next offering.

Refreshing and right up my alley!

This book is so full of everyday people, with everyday problems. All deal differently, and what they do. This book will have you laughing, thinking and sad all at the same time. So many different characters, and some good, some naughty. I enjoyed every one of them. Sometimes it doesn't work out and everyone is happy at the end, and they all get back together. I enjoy books where people find comfort in tea and food. I enjoy books where there isn't a lot of filthy language and meaningless talk. If you enjoy the same, you will love this book! This is an author to keep an eye on!

A VERY UNEXPECTED NICE READ - WELL DONE

I very much enjoyed this one. Character developement was wonderful and the story or stories held my interest throughout the book. I read the review by Publisher's Weekly on this one, as as per usual, I am not real sure the reviewers even bothered reading the book. Where on earth to they find these people to do their reviews? Anyway, this is certainly one of those books that should not be judged by it's cover. My one and only complaint is that the cover and the quote on the front of the book are quite misleading. This is not a typical cozy chick book, full of crumpets, tea and the like. It is a rather good collection of character sketches and situations that go far beyond. Had not my wife first read the book and recommened it, I probably would not have given it a second glance. Thank goodness for an alert wife! The writing is quite uncomplicated and quite readable. The stories are interesting and intertwine in a wonderful way. There is some bitter sweet sadness to some of the stories which is off set by some hilarious situations. If you are looking for a good, simple read about outwardly simple people, then this is for you. If you are looking for a cookbook and pages and pages of descriptions of various food groups and tea settings, then you will probably be a bit disappointed. All in all I recommend this one highly and certainly, like a couple of the other reviewers, would like to see more of the same from this author. Thank you Ms. Owens.

Wish I could visit!

The Tea House on Mulberry Street was one of the best books I had read in a long time! I couldn't put it down, and when I was away from the book, I longed to get back to it. I found the characters engaging and human and full of life...the kind of people that I might really know and want to know, especially in the characters of Rose and Henry. The only flaw that I found with this novel was the fact that the tea room/food part of the story wasn't more developed. Being a woman who loves tea and all things tea related, that was what attracted me to the book and unfortunately, there wasn't much about that inside. But as another reviewer said, this book isn't meant to be read by a rocket-scientist. It is meant to divert and take away our cares. In that sense, this book is a huge success! I hope there is a sequel to find out what happens to the sisters, Rose and Henry, Penny and Daniel, and Sadie! I can't wait to read more of Sharon Owens.