My Favourite book of 2025 - The Chaiwallah by Tim Van Es

Three lost souls, one mystical chai seller, and life-changing wisdom in Mumbai. A beautiful, evocative debut about purpose and hope.

In a square in Mumbai, The Chaiwallah is a novel centred around three narratives which initially seem disparate, but over the course of the novel, become increasingly intertwined. Their stories unfold through their daily interactions with the omniscient and mystical chaiwallah, or tea seller merchant. The three protagonists are at their lowest ebb in life and are slowly guided through the Chaiwallah’s almost prophetic wise words, which act as life lessons, allowing them to take new paths and to learn along the way. Although the Chaiwallah could be seen as just a chai tea merchant, it is clear that he is insightful beyond his humble presence, connecting to each of the main characters’ life’s purpose. All of the protagonists discover what is most meaningful to them, allowing them to reflect on where they are in their lives. He appears when the protagonists most need guidance and it is perhaps his role as a non-judgmental bystander that allows him to change their thinking patterns through kindness and wise words. This initiates the change that each of them were incapable of doing individually. As the chaiwallah’s kindness shines through, the novel becomes a positive message to the reader, asking us to value what is important, rather than following the paths created by others. 

As a piece of Postcolonial literature, class structures, educational prospects, social hierarchies and the economic struggles of the working class are clearly foregrounded within each protagonists’ situation. The description of food was particularly evocative with the aromas and spices drawing the reader into life in Mumbai. As a debut novel, I am extremely impressed and will have this author on my radar in the future.  I thought this novel was extremely well written, captivating to read and I would want it to be distributed widely.