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Tears Series #1
A Million Tears
A Million Tears is a mighty epic, a tale of love and hate, murder and suicide, poverty and wealth â this is a story of a family whose devotion for each other helps them to succeed where others fail.
From the hardship and poverty of Wales in 1890 to the optimism and wealth of America, the book describes in vivid detail the familyâ s journey to success. It takes the reader to the exotic corruption of the Caribbean, the brutality of the American west and describes accurately the excitement of the pioneers in the early twentieth century.
Henke has created a tale of intrigue and adventure. The characters come to life against the backdrop of the time.
544 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1998
83 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 27, 2012
Reading more on my Kindle Fire these days ... picked this up on Amazon and was immediately hooked with the story of Welsh miners, their struggles to survive by stength of family and the events that prompted them to emigrate to the United States. It's a long read but well worth every moment as the family strives to make their fortune in the U.S. and the story is told from the viewpoints of the different famly members at different periods of time. This gets a 4+ rating from me and I'll be moving on to the next volume continuing the story soon! Enjoy!
January 1, 2013
"A Million Tears" is the first in a series of four. It chronicles multiple generations of a family whose roots are set in Wales, in the late 1800's. Volume 1 alone, brought adventure,tragedy and hope. Henke takes you from a Welsh mining town to America, and on to Barbados. He brings you through suicide,love and the high seas. I found myself torn between not wanting to finish it and wanting to hurry on to volume 2, "The Tears of War and Peace," which I will begin today.
The range of events is mind boggling and I cannot wait to begin their story of WW1.
The range of events is mind boggling and I cannot wait to begin their story of WW1.
November 17, 2021
Riveting
I was given a signed copy of the second book in this series as a present, but quickly realised I would enjoy it better if I started with the first book. I was captivated by this book; the characters are well written and likeable. The adventures within seemed plausible given the time setting of the book, as to whether the physics are sound I’m afraid I wouldn’t know. There were some disappointing spelling and grammatical errors in this kindle version. None the less it certainly kept me well entertained and I’m looking forward to recommencing the second book in the series.
I was given a signed copy of the second book in this series as a present, but quickly realised I would enjoy it better if I started with the first book. I was captivated by this book; the characters are well written and likeable. The adventures within seemed plausible given the time setting of the book, as to whether the physics are sound I’m afraid I wouldn’t know. There were some disappointing spelling and grammatical errors in this kindle version. None the less it certainly kept me well entertained and I’m looking forward to recommencing the second book in the series.
May 1, 2018
Don't be put off by the title
Ordinarily I would have got no further than the title but spotted a review, read and thought I would try the book. WOW! The book follows the fortunes off the Griffiths family from disaster in the Welsh valley's to each of their adventures in America. This is a brilliant story extremely well told. Recommended for readers of all genres who love a good read.
Ordinarily I would have got no further than the title but spotted a review, read and thought I would try the book. WOW! The book follows the fortunes off the Griffiths family from disaster in the Welsh valley's to each of their adventures in America. This is a brilliant story extremely well told. Recommended for readers of all genres who love a good read.
September 17, 2021
A 1st book in a gripping family saga. A humble Welsh family suffers an indescribable tragedy and decides to emigrate to America. After yet another tragedy they are on their way. From rags to riches follow the Griffiths as the find their way. Plenty of drama and action. Interesting characters and fabulous descriptions made this a fantastic read. Once you finish this book you will want to continue on to the next because you will be hooked and have to know the rest of the story.
May 6, 2020
Excellent storytelling.
Well crafted characters, fine attention to description ( neither too much nor too little, avoids flowery purple prose, but does not hesitate to us uncommon or arcane words when they best fit the passage.) good - great timing . This series could become a favorite for me.
Well crafted characters, fine attention to description ( neither too much nor too little, avoids flowery purple prose, but does not hesitate to us uncommon or arcane words when they best fit the passage.) good - great timing . This series could become a favorite for me.
October 1, 2024
A Million Tears
This was quite a long book and I lost interest during the last two books. It was about a family who came to America from Wales and how they 100% succeeded as “Americans”.
There were many, many troubles along the way and that is what made the long, long book interesting.
This was quite a long book and I lost interest during the last two books. It was about a family who came to America from Wales and how they 100% succeeded as “Americans”.
There were many, many troubles along the way and that is what made the long, long book interesting.
May 8, 2021
Great story, well written and entertaining.
Really great historical story that begins in the coal mines in Wales then spreads to the US Starting with nothing the family works hard for a better life for their children.
Really great historical story that begins in the coal mines in Wales then spreads to the US Starting with nothing the family works hard for a better life for their children.
October 26, 2022
A really fabulous read, rich on detail. The characters jump off the page at you. It took longer than usual to get through this book compared to another of this size, but that is only because there is just so much detail, but that is not a bad thing
April 14, 2017
Sometimes historical novels are so deeply rooted in past events that they don't have deep plots of their own. This is a fine story that shines on its own.
January 26, 2022
I felt the book started out with promise, however lost it's way a bit.
November 1, 2023
Far fetched
Enough events for a few books. Opening with Aberfan style plot. Lurching from one major event to the next. Far fetched leaps and bounds from start to finsh.
Enough events for a few books. Opening with Aberfan style plot. Lurching from one major event to the next. Far fetched leaps and bounds from start to finsh.
April 5, 2008
My Dad suggested I read this book--I think he liked it because it is one of those sweeping epics about immigrants coming to America and doing amazing things.
In this case, it's a small Welsh mining family who leave their village because of a terrible sludge accident (quite reminiscent of Aberfan in the 60s.) What starts as a sweet, "How Green Was My Valley" tale then takes on the almost unbelievable proportions of the epic expansion of America in the late 19th/early 20th century. I was left scratching my head--how could the author possibly believe so many things would happen to one family? (Think of the plot line in Cruise/Kidman's "Far and Away," times twenty--and throw in some murderous "half-breed" American Indians, a stranding on a deserted island somewhere in the Caribbean, and the father being elected to Congress.)
Don't get me wrong--the book, although it was 500+ pages, was entertaining and moved along quickly. But I got derailed with inconsistencies in the characters, etc. The author is obviously not American because he located Harvard in New Haven, CT. Perhaps the biggest error of all was a rather amateurish framing of the story--a man looking back, telling a reporter about his life. The story then proceeds to be told from the perspective of 3 different characters besides his own (hardly possible given the reporter scenario); and by the end, we haven't gotten the full overview of his life, only a part of it (up to somewhere in his twenties.) The rest, we are told in a few italicized lines at the end of the book, will be coming out in a soon-to-be-published sequel.
I don't think I'll be reading the sequel; but maybe I'll track it down for my Dad. : )
In this case, it's a small Welsh mining family who leave their village because of a terrible sludge accident (quite reminiscent of Aberfan in the 60s.) What starts as a sweet, "How Green Was My Valley" tale then takes on the almost unbelievable proportions of the epic expansion of America in the late 19th/early 20th century. I was left scratching my head--how could the author possibly believe so many things would happen to one family? (Think of the plot line in Cruise/Kidman's "Far and Away," times twenty--and throw in some murderous "half-breed" American Indians, a stranding on a deserted island somewhere in the Caribbean, and the father being elected to Congress.)
Don't get me wrong--the book, although it was 500+ pages, was entertaining and moved along quickly. But I got derailed with inconsistencies in the characters, etc. The author is obviously not American because he located Harvard in New Haven, CT. Perhaps the biggest error of all was a rather amateurish framing of the story--a man looking back, telling a reporter about his life. The story then proceeds to be told from the perspective of 3 different characters besides his own (hardly possible given the reporter scenario); and by the end, we haven't gotten the full overview of his life, only a part of it (up to somewhere in his twenties.) The rest, we are told in a few italicized lines at the end of the book, will be coming out in a soon-to-be-published sequel.
I don't think I'll be reading the sequel; but maybe I'll track it down for my Dad. : )
December 29, 2013
A public saga of three generations of the Griffiths family, starting with the grandfather who works in the mines in Wales. His son, Evan, followed his steps. He married Meg and had three children. Even is devoted to his family and we learn of the dire conditions miners lived at the end of the nineteenth century and how difficult it is for them to survive. They have to endure poverty, hunger, unfairness and a bleak future. When things could not be worse, a terrible accident occurs, and Evan finally decides to flee to America. They take with them an old man, Uncle James, who had become very attached to the children. In America, things are by no means easy for the family. The story continues with the development of the children, David and Sion, and with the many years of adventures, struggles and fights until they reach adult life. In this book, David tells the story of the family, but there are still many things to be leartn, which unfortunately, will appear in another book. Can't wait to read it. It was interesting to learn about the social fabric in Europe and America in those difficult times.
February 12, 2013
Great book. Spans a very important time period starting in Wales and an incredible look into the hard life of the miners. It follows one family that emigrates to the US and through good luck and intellect do very well. Their two sons have grand adventures, one in the West with renegade Indians and the other South on a sailing adventure. The author has a great ability to tie in a wide girth of knowledge from industrialization at the turn of the century to nautical information and engineering. It is a series and leaves the family after about 20 years, but it certainly left me wanting to read the next installment.
February 19, 2012
I like multi-generational family sagas, but this one could have been edited shorter. It starts out with an old, wealthy man who's ready to "tell his story" before he dies and he appoints a journalist to the job. The beginning drags on a bit, but when they get to America after only three months all of a sudden they're wealthy? That's a bit much. However, the characters are strong and persevering, of good morale fiber. What made this country great: emigrants who bettered themselves thru hard work and good ethics.
August 9, 2011
This boof was so beautiful and also so sad with lots of family relationship issues. The start is heart rending and not predicted. Also into the book, some of the scenes described almost smack you in the face - they are so realistic and terrifying! But tit is also inspirnig and the family links are so vedry strong. It was especially a good book too having me thte author - what talent! very well done.
September 27, 2012
An interesting saga seen through the eyes of different members of the family, starting in Wales and resulting in a move to America. Full of drama, pathos and adventure. Written with considerable skill and detail and keeps you guessing right up to the end. I feel the return to the reporter at the end was a bit abrupt and perhaps could have been extended, but nonetheless a complete and enjoyable read.
July 3, 2011
This is an epic story and is well worth reading.
What was very exciting for me was that I was browsing the book at Edinburgh airport, an dhe told me about how he had written the story to while away his off duty hours whilst working on Nigerian oil rigs many years before.
He kindly signed the copy that I bought. I have just given it away to a charity auction.
What was very exciting for me was that I was browsing the book at Edinburgh airport, an dhe told me about how he had written the story to while away his off duty hours whilst working on Nigerian oil rigs many years before.
He kindly signed the copy that I bought. I have just given it away to a charity auction.
April 22, 2012
The beginning of this book is just brilliant. I became so emotional invested in the characters I think I really did shed a million tears. I enjoyed the story being told from different family members perspectives. However for me it was just a little too long- I found my mind wandering from the story. Not so much a criticism of the book per se just it wasn't really matched to me.
December 21, 2012
What a gripping book about a family in Europe in a tiny coal mining town where a good portion of the children are killed when the mine releases slag after a hard rain. It completely covered the school. The hardships they suffer are so realistic, Paul Henke is going to be one of my favorite authors.
December 5, 2012
This is a long book and the story is great. The author, however, sometimes gets caught up in details and that slows it down in places. I scanned some of these places because I didn't want to get bogged down and I wanted to finish the story. Don't let the wordiness keep you from reading it. Just scan carefully. The story is really good!
March 24, 2013
This was a delightful surprise! I do not remember when or why I downloaded this book, but I found it on my Kindle when I was traveling and needed a new book.
I truly enjoyed the historical context as the background for the story. I also appreciated how each character's chapter moved the Family saga forward. Some of it was a little far-fetched, but it was a fun read none the less.
I truly enjoyed the historical context as the background for the story. I also appreciated how each character's chapter moved the Family saga forward. Some of it was a little far-fetched, but it was a fun read none the less.
April 3, 2014
This book started out very interesting. It is about a Welsh family and the struggles they had working in the mines and escaping to America.
It also gives you a more realistic view of what it was like to live here as immigrants. That said it became a Saga and was too long for me.
When I finally finished I found out there are several more books in thus series.
It also gives you a more realistic view of what it was like to live here as immigrants. That said it became a Saga and was too long for me.
When I finally finished I found out there are several more books in thus series.
April 10, 2014
The promise and possibilities of immigrating to America
Anticipating the wonderful possibilities of the "American Dream", this Welsh family works hard and comes to the successful realization of all America had to occur. Exciting adventures, hardships and heartache keep the reader riveted to this work.
Anticipating the wonderful possibilities of the "American Dream", this Welsh family works hard and comes to the successful realization of all America had to occur. Exciting adventures, hardships and heartache keep the reader riveted to this work.
February 25, 2012
I enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed books of Robert Louis Stevenson when I was a kid. It was really entertaining. I started it on weekend and was almost done... had to finish when my kids were in beds during the week... just couldn't wait.
December 22, 2012
This is the first of a four book series. I enjoyed the historical events of the 1800s until the end of the Second World War in the last book if the series. Read them all and enjoyed the strong female characters. This first book was my favorite of the four.
May 1, 2015
An enjoyable read overall. Good story line of a 19th century Welsh mining family making it in America which unfortunately became too drawn out and detailed towards the end. The ending was rushed and contrived merely requiring you to read the next book in the series.
April 29, 2016
The family in this book goes through many tragedies and adventures throughout their lives both in Wales and when they immigrate to the United States. For the most part, this book is well written and keot my interest in finding out what was going to happen next.
March 12, 2012
Loved the the book and I am on the fourth of the series as of today.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews