Avery, Ellis. The Teahouse Fire.(Brief article)(Book review)

Avery, Ellis. The Teahouse Fire. Riverhead: Putnam. Jan. 2007. c.400p. ISBN 1-59448930-0 [ISBN 978-1-59448-930-3]. $24.95. F Avery's compelling debut novel presents women who dare to challenge expectations in the changing cultural landscape of 19th-century Japan. The Shin family has taught the tea ceremony for generations, but daughter Yukako is expected to marry the next master teacher instead of assuming the role herself. When Yukako discovers white American Aurelia hiding from her abusive missionary uncle on the Shin estate, she takes her in as a servant-companion and secretly teaches her the family arts. But can …