“A Cup of Tea” by Amy Ephron

Jen’s book choice this week is, “A Cup of Tea” by Amy Ephron and Jen sensibly suggests it’s a book well worth reading with one, but does venture to warn, “… enjoy drinking it cold, since you will be too engaged to remember it’s there.” So we’re definitely off to the library for this one, a story of a chance meeting with extraordinary consequences.

What a talented family. Many of you know Delia from her riotous children’s books and screenplays (How to Eat like a Child, Bewitched, Hanging Up, and more), Nora from her wonderful adult books and screenplays (Heartburn, Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry met Sally,I Feel Bad About My Neck to name but a few), Hallie (Never Tell a Lie, 1001 Books for Every Mood).

Here is yet another gifted sister. Amy Ephron wrote this book 12 years ago and I am surprised I never found it before now. “A Cup of Tea” is a rich, quick read.

The main characters find themselves in a situation that goes from innocuous altruism to violent stürm und drang. One small event catapualts them all into unchartered territory. If we are not to believe in fate, then this story puts random kindness in danger.

Let’s say its fate that certain things happen. Things are meant to be or they are not. Otherwise the fear of the power of our actions could be debilitating. Case in point is Rosemary Fell. A life reasonably devoid of calignosity makes her self-centered and unwittingly positive. Does she have control over her carefully ordered life or is it pre-ordained that the chips will fall where they may?

When she sees a beautiful peer (in age not social stature) in trouble, she offers a hand.

Eleanor Smith takes her hand and there is no looking back. Rosemary’s fiancee meets Eleanor, as does her best friend, Jane, and wheels are set a-roll.

None of their lives will be the same as they were before the chance encounter of Rosemary and Eleanor.

A simple cup of tea can have unseen, but far-reaching conclusions. It is an interesting dilemma the reader is offered. Should Rosemary have offered assistance. Is this a penalty for its being done in a self-serving vain way? We wonder if it were possible for Rosemary to alter this path had she simply chosen not to offer Miss Smith assistance. Is it possible that one small change sends their lives rushing out of orbit and was that moment carved in stone or avoidable?

Surely it would have been in Rosemary’s best interest to do nothing. Does Eleanor overstep the bounds of propriety by abusing a kindness? But was she owed a kindness by a woman who has everything, when she herself has nothing?

Would that insinuate that societal structures interfere with basic human rights and disrupt the balance of equals? Possibly. A good book is one that raises many questions and is this captivating, despite its length. Ms. Ephron succeeds in making it both memorable and thought-provoking, whilst keeping the plot moving.

“A Cup of Tea” may be the perfect book to read while having one … but enjoy drinking it cold, since you will be too engaged to remember it’s there.