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Victorian Trilogy #1

too deep for tears

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Dashing English diplomat Charles Kittridge relished the abundant pleasures of the world, and in his far-flung wanderings, he left behind three remarkable Ailsa Rose, Li-An, and Genevra. Each growing to womanhood haunted by a legacy of betrayal. Now their father has but one final desire--to bring together the daughters he has never known. Regional author media.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

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Kathryn Lynn Davis

23 books96 followers

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5 stars
322 (52%)
4 stars
168 (27%)
3 stars
82 (13%)
2 stars
27 (4%)
1 star
12 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Suzan Tisdale.
Author 86 books663 followers
December 21, 2015
A beautifully written story. Touching, thought provoking, and tender. This will remain one of my most favorite and treasured books.
Profile Image for Angie.
47 reviews13 followers
October 24, 2009
This is the story about 3 half sisters: Ailsa who is Scottish, Li-An who is Chinese and Genevra who is English living in India...and their extraordinary connection to each other even though they do not know at the time that each other exist. Too Deep for Tears jumps back and forth into the lives of these three sisters as they grow into womanhood and the trial that they face.

I loved this book! It grabbed me from the very beginning, i laughed and cried with these three sisters and was overjoyed at their final reunion in Scotland when they finally discovered each other. What a wonderful and heart tugging story! A must read!
Profile Image for AnnMarie.
1,293 reviews35 followers
June 6, 2014
An unbelievably amazing book, so beautifully written by Kathryn. Words cannot begin to express how she brought to life her characters, the places they lived, and their ties to each other. The emotions I felt, the tears I cried, both happy and sad, I was so involved in the story. I was and am in awe, and can't recommend this book enough.
Profile Image for Sharon.
Author 38 books397 followers
November 2, 2018
I had the pleasure of meeting author Kathryn Lynn Davis at InD'Scribe in 2018. I chose to purchase a number of books by the authors I met subsequently and have read some marvelous work as a result.

This is an unusual family saga. We see three different women: one in Scotland, one in China, and one in India during, all during the late 19th C. There are two things they have in common: they share a father, and they can see one another in their dreams.

Aisla, Li-an, and Genevra are otherwise very different. They have their artistic talents of music, poetry, and painting, respectively, but they have widely varying dreams and ambitions. We see each of their stories in a different "book" of the novel. Where they all come together is when their dying father asks them to come to him so he can see them one last time.

The author has clearly studied all of the cultures about which she writes; her historical accuracy is impeccable. She also gives us flawed, believable characters about whom we quickly come to care.

Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
36 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2020
Davis writes one of the most moving pieces of fiction I have ever read. Set back in the 1800's in Scotland, China and India, she moves us through the lives of Charles, and Englishman and the women he has loved and the daughters he has created with them. Each period starts with his encounter with the mother, told in a prologue then takes us into the life of his daughters and what effect he has had on their lives. Whether he was part of their lives or not. The reader shares the ghosts and longings of each daughter, one who chases the ghost to London, one who curses the ghost as the devil and one who lives with the madness the ghost created. The book is also about forgiveness and what it sometimes takes to not only forgive someone else but to forgive yourself as well.
15 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2013
This is one of the most read books on my shelves. The story of three sisters, who don't even know of each others existence and the father they share. Heartbreaking and joyful, I yearned for more when it was done. Thankfully, years after originally reading TDfT, I found the "rest" of the series and each of them is as good as the first. My copies are well used and tearstained, and even after years between the readings, they still evoke the same powerful feelings as the they did the first time.
Profile Image for Joy.
52 reviews
November 16, 2021
Magic, as always

Kathryn has somehow managed to impress me beyond what I already know of her. This is the 4th book of hers that I have read. Her knowledge of the culture and traditions of not just the Highlands but also India and China is amazing. The songs, the poetry, the scenery, history, literature, language, and mythology - astounding! It gives her the ability to weave a tapestry of 3 places across the globe, of 3 lives of 3 very different women, all into a much larger intricate tapestry of the story as a whole. Like Mairi at her loom; except the shuttle is her fingers , her imagination the wool. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world.
Profile Image for Alma.
66 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2011
One of the books I remember reading in my late teens. Hey if I still remember the name, I must of really liked it. I do remember this poem though ... "Thanks to the human heart by which we live. Thanks to its tenderness, its joys and fears. To me the meanest flower that blows can give. Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears." I think I need to get myself a new copy since it's been years since I saw it last.

2 reviews
December 25, 2011
Was a great book/series that I read probably about 18 years ago when it was first written. The authors father at the time she wrote this was my boss and introduced me to her writings. He even got me a signed copy from her. Have only read her first three books and am really looking forward to reading her others.
Profile Image for Jodi Tessier.
71 reviews
December 30, 2012
I love love loved this book. I should begin by saying I am not normally into this type of novel, however this book much more then what I expected. The characters are well developed and engaging. This is a book I recommend to all my girlfriends. Makes me cry every time I read it. Which is about 15 times already.

Profile Image for Sher.
16 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2010
I love and adored this book - it is falling apart I have read it so many times.
Profile Image for Leesa Wilson.
23 reviews58 followers
June 15, 2012
This was one of the most poetic, beautiful and evocative books I've ever read. I read it in the early 90's and its essence has forever stained my soul.
4 reviews
October 8, 2017
I loved this book and it will remain a treasured book of mine. I became so immersed in the complex personal relationships of the characters and I learned so much about the settings in Scotland , China and India. I never had a desire to visit India but the way the author describes it from Genevra’s perspective from squalor to the splendor of the landscape intrigues me. This book left me with so many lessons about love and forgiveness. One of my favorite quotes is “Anger isn’t rational you know. It burns just as strongly in those who are wrong as those who are right.”
Profile Image for Molly Lamson.
109 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2022
I didn't think I would be a good book - but I ended up really, really liking it. I liked it so much, in fact, that I wanted to mail it directly to my mother, but I gave it to a friend here in Iraq instead. I hope she likes it as much as I do! Its about three sisters who all have the same father, but different mothers, all from diffent countries. I really enjoyed this book very much.
HAPPY READING!!
Profile Image for Jeanne .
408 reviews
July 30, 2015
This book moved me more than I thought possible!

I would highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys unconventional sagas that take you on a journey into cultures you never dreamed you could find intriguing yet leave you yearning for more! The depth of the characters is enthralling and the writing so clear you find yourself immersed as though you are actually there experiencing the fear, pain, joy, love and emotions along with them. One of the Best Authors I have ever encountered!
82 reviews5 followers
March 12, 2012
I thought the characters were too caught up in themselves; their issues just went on and on. A lot of angst. I read it for a book club.
62 reviews
April 23, 2023
I read this book years ago when it first came out and would have given it 5 ⭐️. The story is still heart wrenching though.
3 reviews
August 19, 2018
Emotionally moving, realistic and engrossing. I m with the characters, with their hurting, sufferings and frustrations, with their strenght to stand after falling, to listen and believe , to hope and be at peace. Story with loyalty for own beliefs and culture. I cannot depart from this story that i ordered at once the printed book so i can reread and share with those who love to learn and will embrase the message of this story. Thanks to Ms. Davis for the mind opener story. Well recommended to all who loves to read. This book is one of my unforgettable reads.

Emotionally moving, realistic and engrossing. I'm with the characters, with their hurtings, sufferings and frustrations, their hopes, their understanding. Their strenght to stand up after the fall. To survived and hoping for the future peace. Story withbloyalty to own beliefs and culture. This story touched me and i have to share it to those who will learn from it, so i purchased the printed version for my next generation. Thank you Ms. Davis foe the unforgettable read that touched my heart. Well recommented to those who loves to read...
62 reviews
August 4, 2023
A much better read than I anticipated. A story set up in four books, with the first three detailing one of three main characters - their lives, their pains, their choices, and the lands in which they live. The fourth book ties it all together. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and could not put it down.

Full review here: http://www.theowlreads.com/2020/03/to...
Profile Image for Marianne.
2,304 reviews
November 1, 2017
I gave this book only two stars because there was just too much navel gazing for me to really like this book. The screaming level f intensity in the female characters was wearying. Only the women were strong. What a wide swath swath of destruction in one selfish, self centered man spreading his seed across continents! Give me a break.
Profile Image for Bobbi Gill.
2 reviews
September 21, 2019
I’ve read this book about 4 Times and it affects me just as deeply every time. Beautifully written, wonderful story and not at all what I expected. Honestly the only other romance type novels that I’ve liked as much is the Outlander series, which I’ve read twice, but I’d still reread this book again and again.
26 reviews
September 26, 2017
The story line keeps your attention. However, there were several sexual scenes that went into too much detail. It definitely protrays the pain involved when a father is not faithful, and the emotional distress of the children left to suffer. I didn't care for the ending of the story either.
287 reviews4 followers
June 20, 2018
Amazing !!

This is a extremely wonderful story. It has every emotion under the son. I cried, I laughed. And I learned about three cultures. Kathryn is the most amazing author. You don't want to miss this adventure. I very highly recommend this book 💖
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews

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