Other editions of book The Orchard of Tears

Many people who read The Orchard of Tears find it an "odd" book in the context of Sax Rohmer's other work. There are no oriental villains or exotic locations; rather, there are gentle rabbits and lambs in pastoral settings and a great deal of philosophical musing. As much as he enjoyed Fu Manchu -- and the notoriety and income the character provided -- Rohmer had other interests and a markedly serious side. The departure from his expected subject matter is plainly signalled by the book's dedication: To the slaves of the pomegranate, sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, who drink at the fountain of life, this chalice is offered as a loving-cup. The Orchard of Tears is Rohmer's most restrained and serious novel. It was written because the author wanted to write it, and his recent success afforded him the opportunity to do so. A clue to the intent is to be found when the protagonist, Paul Mario, asks: "You mean that literature and art persistently look in the gutter for subjects when they would be more worthily employed in questioning the stars?"

Arthur Henry Sarsfield Ward (1883 – 1959), better known as Sax Rohmer, was a prolific English novelist. He is best remembered for his series of novels featuring the master criminal Dr. Fu Manchu. He issued the first Fu Manchu novel, in 1913. It was an immediate success. The Fu Manchu stories, together with his more conventional detective series characters—Paul Harley, Gaston Max, Red Kerry, Morris Klaw (an occult detective), and The Crime Magnet— made Rohmer one of the most successful and well-paid authors of the 1920s and 1930s.

"The knowledge which is yours is innate knowledge beyond human power to acquire in one short span of life;" said Jules Thessaly, "it is the result of many lives devoted to study. For the task you are about to take up you have been preparing since the world was young. All is ordained, even your presence in this room tonight -- and mine. Where last did we meet -- where first? Perhaps in Rome, perhaps Atlantis; but assuredly we met and we meet again to fulfill a compact made in the dawn of time. I, too, am a student of the recondite, and it may be that some of the fragments of truth which I have collected will help you to force recognition of the light from a world plunged in darkness.""In utter darkness," murmured Paul.Thessaly advanced, leaning forward across the table. "Tonight, a new Star is born in the West -- and an hour will come when the eyes of all men must be raised to it."

It was high noon of a perfect summer's day. Beneath green sun blinds, upon the terrace overlooking the lawns, Paul Mario, having finished his lunch, lay back against the cushions of a white deck-chair and studied the prospect. Sloping turf, rose-gay paths, and lichened brick steps, hollowed with age, zigzagging leisurely down to the fir avenue, carried the eye onward again to where the river wound its way through verdant banks toward the distant town.

Arthur Henry Sarsfield Ward (1883-1959), better known as Sax Rohmer, was a prolific English novelist. He is most remembered for his series of novels featuring the master criminal Dr. Fu Manchu. Born in Birmingham he had an entirely working class education and early career before beginning to write. His first published work was in 1903, the short story The Mysterious Mummy for Pearson's Weekly. He made his early living writing comedy sketches for music hall performers and short stories and serials for magazines. He published his first novel Pause! anonymously in 1910 and the first Fu Manchu story, The Mystery of Dr. Fu Manchu, was serialized over 1912-13. The Fu Manchu stories, together with those featuring Gaston Max or Morris Klaw, made Rohmer one of the most successful and well-paid writers in of the 1920s and 1930s. But Rohmer was very poor at handling his wealth. His other works include: The Sins of Severac Bablon (1914), The Yellow Claw (1915), The Devil Doctor (1916), The Hand of Fu-Manchu (1917), Brood of the Witch- Queen (1918), Dope (1919) and Bat Wing (1921).

"The knowledge which is yours is innate knowledge beyond human power to acquire in one short span of life;" said Jules Thessaly, "it is the result of many lives devoted to study. For the task you are about to take up you have been preparing since the world was young. All is ordained, even your presence in this room tonight -- and mine. Where last did we meet -- where first? Perhaps in Rome, perhaps Atlantis; but assuredly we met and we meet again to fulfill a compact made in the dawn of time. I, too, am a student of the recondite, and it may be that some of the fragments of truth which I have collected will help you to force recognition of the light from a world plunged in darkness.""In utter darkness," murmured Paul.Thessaly advanced, leaning forward across the table. "Tonight, a new Star is born in the West -- and an hour will come when the eyes of all men must be raised to it."

This is a very strange and unexpected romance novel. In fact many people who have read The Orchard of Tears found it an "odd" book in the context of Sax Rohmer's other work. There are no oriental villains or exotic locations; rather, there are gentle rabbits and lambs in pastoral settings and a great deal of philosophical musing. As much as he enjoyed Fu Manchu -- and the notoriety and income the character provided -- Rohmer had other interests and a markedly serious side. The departure from his expected subject matter is plainly signalled by the book's dedication: To the slaves of the pomegranate, sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, who drink at the fountain of life, this chalice is offered as a loving-cup. The Orchard of Tears is Rohmer's most restrained and heart-felt written novel. It was written because the author wanted to write it, and his recent success had afforded him the opportunity to do so. A clue to the intent is to be found when the protagonist, Paul Mario, asks: "You mean that literature and art persistently look in the gutter for subjects when they would be more worthily employed in questioning the stars?"