The Art of Making a Forgotten Cup of Tea - by Faizah Muhammad (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

Set against the backdrop of the 1989 Romanian Revolution, The Art of Making a Forgotten Cup of Tea tells a gripping and deeply personal story of survival, trust, and betrayal in a world on the brink of change. The story follows Elena, a devoted mother fighting to protect her children, Ioana and Beriță, as the country erupts into chaos. As Nicolae Ceaușescu's authoritarian regime collapses, the streets of Timișoara turn into battlegrounds where ordinary people must make impossible choices. Elena's brother, Robi, finds himself drawn into the revolution's violent undercurrents when he places his trust in Dragoș, a charismatic yet enigmatic agent of the secret police. Dragoș presents himself as an ally, but as Robi peels back the layers of deception, he discovers that loyalty and truth are far more dangerous than he ever imagined. As the walls of dictatorship crumble, so does Robi's perception of the people around him-forcing him to question his own complicity in a system built on fear.Meanwhile, two British journalists, Lizzie and Frankie, arrive in Romania, expecting to report on the fall of a dictator from a safe distance. But as they venture deeper into the uprising, they become unwilling participants in a revolution they struggle to fully understand. Through their eyes, the Western world's perception of Romania is confronted with the raw, unfiltered reality of life under an oppressive regime.As Timișoara burns and the people of Romania fight for their future, The Art of Making a Forgotten Cup of Tea weaves together multiple perspectives, showing the cost of revolution-not just in political terms, but in the personal sacrifices made by those who dare to hope for something better. It is a story of love and loss, of trust and betrayal, and of the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced.

Review Quotes

"You have written something that has the power to change lives." - Goodreads

"I am utterly proud and honoured that my hometown of Timișoara has such a unique creative voice telling such deeply heartfelt stories as she does in this book." - Goodreads