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Victorian Trilogy #1
Too Deep for Tears
A rare, exquisite novel of courage and passion, betrayal and love. Dashing English diplomat Charles Kittridge relished the abundant pleasures of the world...and in his far-flung wanderings, he left behind three remarkable daughters:
Ailsa Rose, a beauty of the Scottish highlands, endowed with her father's lust for adventure. She betrays her heart to follow the one man who promises her the world.
Li-an hates the devil-father who made her a blue-eyed outcast in her Chinese homeland. But with her brilliant, reckless lover, she almost forgets her shame...until he is wrenched from her arms.
Genevra, the gentle English daughter, lives amidst the splendor and squalor of India. Though unexpected passion promises her a joyous love, she must fight to escape the terrors and scandals of the past.
Each of them has grown to womanhood haunted by a legacy of betrayal, longing and dreams. Now their father has but one final desire...to bring together the daughters he has never known....
Ailsa Rose, a beauty of the Scottish highlands, endowed with her father's lust for adventure. She betrays her heart to follow the one man who promises her the world.
Li-an hates the devil-father who made her a blue-eyed outcast in her Chinese homeland. But with her brilliant, reckless lover, she almost forgets her shame...until he is wrenched from her arms.
Genevra, the gentle English daughter, lives amidst the splendor and squalor of India. Though unexpected passion promises her a joyous love, she must fight to escape the terrors and scandals of the past.
Each of them has grown to womanhood haunted by a legacy of betrayal, longing and dreams. Now their father has but one final desire...to bring together the daughters he has never known....
692 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
61 people are currently reading
579 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
December 21, 2015
A beautifully written story. Touching, thought provoking, and tender. This will remain one of my most favorite and treasured books.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
January 11, 2010
I love and adored this book - it is falling apart I have read it so many times.
January 2, 2015
One of my favorites. This is my fourth or fifth read.
2014: read it again. Some of the shine wore off this time but I still love Ailsa's and Li-an's stories.
2014: read it again. Some of the shine wore off this time but I still love Ailsa's and Li-an's stories.
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.
June 12, 2014
Incredible Heartbreaking Historical Romance Seeing 21 Amazing 5-Star Reviews!
the-kindle-black-hole
July 15, 2015I'm setting this aside for now. Enjoyed the story of the first daughter for the most part, but when things switched to China, I lost interest and other books keep distracting me.
Read
June 9, 2015DNF
Purple prose from the 1990's
Purple prose from the 1990's
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.”
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!!
HAPPY READING!!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
Full review here: http://www.theowlreads.com/2020/03/to...
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.
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.
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.
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 💖
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 💖
August 27, 2017
Amazing!
September 25, 2018
The most beautiful book I've ever read.
August 13, 2019
One of my all time favorite books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews