Maziko Lee

I TRIED to read this book back in 2014. Love gave HORRIBLE advice to women. She advised a fan to lie about her number of partners. Love bragged about the number of men she dated for lunch. It's been over a decade since I read that book and I remember feeling anger, disgust, and disbelief. I got the feeling that she didn't like men very much; she dated just to date. Dating was whatever. Her words were empty and it felt like she was on the verge of turning a story into a joke at every turn. LAUGH. LAUGH!!!! I put the book down. I read maybe 1/4th. I just couldn't. I'm older now and I still cannot believe I thought I should take advice from a ridiculously sarcastic comedienne. She is obviously intelligent and she has a very good career. People love her. She is very successful and she is married. I'm happy for her. I'm sure everyone is happy for her. I just think this book was awful. Pure garbage. I looked at the reviews on Amazon and it looks like the only people who loved this book were her fans. Don't read this book if you are truly looking for advice. Young women should avoid this book. It will confuse them.

The authors over-explained everything and examples are tossed in randomly. Writers and books are needlessly mentioned. (Fluff.) The editors had a lot to say, but they repeated themselves constantly and they should take their own advice: keep it short. Make it clear.

This was literally the worst book I've EVER read. I only finished it because I wanted to tell others about how awful it was. The main character, Urako/Aurelia, was too irritable and her personality was bland. Everything upset her and her feelings for the girl who adopted her was creepy. From her constant longing, the sex scene during a funeral(?) the gross neighbor boy, her demands for money, and the ending scene at the park...I was disgusted the whole time. I put the book down so many times. If you are obsessed with tea ceremonies, you will learn NOTHING from this book. I recall two tea ceremonies but it was just quiet with lots of stirring. The Teahouse Fire is needlessly long. The characters are unlikable and the tone was too...listless...lazy.