Celia Hayes*
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Reviews - "Adelsverein" |
| That's All She Read |
...I found a great deal of enjoyment in this novel, and perhaps the highest praise I have is that I am certain to read the other two in the series -- The Gathering and The Sowing, though they take place before the action of The Harvesting, and I already know my heart will take a beating in Book Two. (Complete review here) |
| POD Book Reviews and More |
Is there anything better than a good book? Better than a book that tells an absorbing story, that's peopled with characters you care about, living through exciting times, set among real events, and that leaves you with a better understanding as well as thoroughly entertained? Of course there is something better: two books like that. And even better still, three. The Adelsverein Trilogy, by Celia Hayes, is such a trilogy. What The Leopard does for Italy and Gone With the Wind does for the American South, The Adelsverein Trilogy does for Texas, and does it in style. . . The Adelsverein Trilogy provides a terrifically enjoyable and satisfying read. The characters come alive immediately, and as the pages fly by we get to see them grow, mature, and deal with the joys and tribulations of life. We are left with a wonderfully complete picture of an era, and unforgettable memories of the engaging and sturdy families whose type formed the backbone of this nation. Any person who's had history in school, (and paid attention) will know the basic events of the era, but probably not how those events were received in the Texas German hill country. The great strength of the trilogy is that we experience those events not on the battlefield or in distant places, but on the home front. We all read in class of generals, strategies, marching armies and blockades and battles and dates and so forth, but it's so much more compelling to live the events through the eyes of people we like, in person. However much we know today about the Civil War, to the Steinmetz family the news was minimal and late, and there were no guarantees of anything: disaster was an ever-present possibility. Random events could (and did) upset everything at any time. No matter what, the housework had to be done; the animals and crops had to be tended, and the family had to be raised. Such is life, and such is the power of literature. This is not to say that larger events are overlooked. The story gracefully works in encounters with Sam Houston, Jack Hays, early San Antonio, Austin, New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Comanche raids, truce negotiations, agriculture, cattle drives, illnesses, 19th century medicine, the handling of firearms, race relations, business practices--the full context of daily life at the time. The author's historical accuracy is meticulous, her writing clean and true: she brings an entire era to marvelous life. If you don't know the Texas hill country, you will after you read The Adelsverein Trilogy. I thought I knew it, but the Texas hill country will never look the same to me now. - Dr. Al Past |
| Western Fiction Review |
The Gathering begins in 1844 and takes the reader on an epic journey before ending in 1853.Celia Hayes tells the tale of a family attracted to the promise of a new life in America and the joys and hardships of this journey which begins with sailing from Germany. As well as her fictional characters Celia Hayes includes many real people and events that add credence to the historical content of this book.... As well as the beauty of new found lands the reader will share the warmth of new love, the horror of a massacre, and the heartbreak of the death of loved ones – most of which are the result of disease. For me the most memorable scenes took place on or in water. The well told sea passage; life on board the ship and the living conditions painting vivid pictures in my mind. And who could forget Magda’s terror as she fights to save the child on the raft. And then there’s the well-told series of events, based on truth and real people, that lead to the peace treaty with the Penateka Comanche. In fact the Indians provide some of the most humorous situations in the story. The Gathering, is a very easy to read story that easily draws you in and will have you eager to find out how the Steinmetz family stand up to the challenges that face them. If you’re looking for a change from reading the type of westerns I usually review here then this could be worth considering as it sure has me interested in reading the following two books to find out what happens next. |
| Historical Novels Review - Nov 2008 |
| In the 1840’s, an “aristocrat’s society” or “Adelsverein” formed for the purpose of bringing German immigrants into 19th century Texas . They offered land, houses, and a freer life than most had known in the reactionary and over-populated electorates of Northern Germany . Seven thousand settlers, some farmers, some craftsmen, accepted their offer. When they arrived after a grueling sea voyage, there were no houses, little food, no protection, and few supplies. There were, however, plenty of unfriendly Comanche and suspicions. So begins the first book of a trilogy, following the Steinmetz family through the hard work, tragedy, and steep learning curve that was the lot of these immigrants to this Texas frontier. Adelsverein is a fact-filled and dramatic fictionalization of the experiences of the hardy folk who founded Friedrichsburg, and a welcome addition to the growing list of HNS reviewed regional historicals. The love story of strong-minded Magda Steinmetz and Carl “Dutch” Becker, a gun-totin’ survivor of the infamous Goliad Massacre, adds a colorful thread of romantic interest. This enjoyable page turner is definitely recommended - Juliet Waldron |
| True West Magazine - Nov/Dec 2008 |
| This novel is the first of a trilogy focusing on the 1836-53 migration of German people from the Old Country to the Texas wilderness. Thousands anxiously emigrated to a new land, only to experience a frightening and often deadly sea voyage followed by hardship when they reached their destination. Disease, insects, snakes, droughts, tornadoes, famine, lame horses, outlaws, Comanches, plus shortages of ammunition and medical supplies were constant hazards. The plucky survivors built settlements and established ranches while Texas itself went through political growing pains. Showcasing Mexican firing squads to Texas Rangers, this first book gives a good historical lesson about pre-Civil War Texas (review here) - Phyllis Morreale-De la Garza |
| Midwest Book Reviews |
| When there's nothing left for you, sometimes the best option is to move on. "Adelsverein: The Gathering" is the start of the story of how seven thousand German immigrants made the journey from their fatherland to Texas in the nineteenth century. The mass immigration was encouraged by several noblemen, and the story focuses on how these Germans got their start. "Adelsverein" is a moving story of coming to America and making one's mark, while retaining one's heritage. (review here)
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| Armchair Interviews |
...This first book follows two lines. The first is the story of Carl Becker, who as a sixteen-year-old boy survived the massacre of Texan militia that surrendered to the Mexican Army at Goliad, shortly after the fall of the Alamo. He became a Texas Ranger and rode with Captain Jack Hays. While the story is fictional, the massacre and Captain Hays of the Rangers are historical truths. The second line is the saga of the Steinmetz/Vogel/Richter families that left Ulm, Bavaria to emigrate to Texas in 1847 under the auspices of Prince Rolf Solms-Braunfels and the Mainzer Adelsverein–a society of German noblemen who sought to make a profit by investing and populating land in Texas with German farmers and craftsmen. The family of Vati Steinmetz, an educated clockmaker, includes his wife, stepdaughters, a son-in-law, young sons and grandchildren. They travel in steerage on a sailing ship to Galveston and then go by ox cart to New Braunfels, about thirty miles north of San Antonio. Their land claims are in the region where Fredericksburg exists later. Hayes has taken a relatively obscure piece of Texan history and created an interesting family to tell its story. The two lines come together when Carl Becker courts the eldest daughter, Magda Vogel. The saga is rich in detail from the hellish nightmare of the sea journey to the beauty of the hill country.... |
| Amazon - Reader reviews |
| Book One of the Adelverein Trilogy, The Gathering, is a fact-based story of Carl Becker and Magda Steinmetz, and the hardships they and other immigrants endured to settle Texas. Specifically, the story takes place amid the settlement of Fredericksburg, Texas, when life was full of dangers from humans and animals alike, from disease and hunger and poverty. Sometimes, in fact, bears and mountain lions seem the easiest to vanquish and the more innocent. Against this backdrop, Carl and Magda find each other, fall in love, and marry. But this is no syrupy romance; it's realistic adult caring between two people. I had a tough time putting the book down and I found myself hurrying back to it. I always wanted to find out what happened next to Carl and Magda. A moving and touching story, and very heartwarming. - Carol Buchanan, author - God's Thunderbolt |
What do you do when the city your parents settled suddenly turns against you? In Adelsverin: The Sowing, the Beckers remain staunch Unionists in the War Between the States. Texas declares itself a slave state. |
Reviews - "To Truckee's Trail" |
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| "Armchair Interviews" |
The long-lost diary of Dr. John Townsend is reconstructed and carries you through the trials and tribulations that this great group of Americans went through. A fascinating read about their adventures and sacrifices to get to the land of “milk and honey.” Filled with some true accounts, and some excerpts from diaries and letters from real and fictitious characters, the book is lend some authenticity of the true account. Armchair Interviews says: Interesting historical fiction of the early settlers. Complete review here Wendy Hines, Armchair Interviews |
| "Reader Views" |
"... definitely a fantastic story, and more importantly, a true story of the Stephens-Townsend wagon train that crossed the continent in 1844 to reach California. Why the story has not been told sooner is hard to say. Perhaps this journey was not as dramatic as that of the Donner Party that had to resort to cannibalism a few years later, but the Stephens-Townsend party apparently set the trail, the pass through the mountains known as “Truckee’s Trail” and like the Donner Party, they also had to survive the winter in the mountains—in fact, the Donner Party ended up using one of the cabins the Stephens-Townsend party used... (complete review here) Tyler R. Tichelaar |
| "Classical Values" |
"...a riveting read. Close calls with Indian war parties, political treachery, near starvation and freezing to death, and inevitable illnesses and deaths. It's truly amazing that they made it. Some great observations along the way. I loved this one: A good wife will re-load for you, a great one will take up a knife and slit your enemies' throats." (complete review here) Eric Scheie |
| "The Fat Guy" |
| "... The bottom line is that I really enjoyed To Truckee’s Trail. If you enjoy anything of the American West, the frontier, the folks who opened it and made it our home, I bet you will, too and I recommend this book to you very strongly..... At the very least, if you’re reading this dusty capped-off dry-hole of the Internet tubes, you’ve got someone on your Christmas list who will enjoy it. FWIW, I’m looking forward to her next book, too, which she describes thusly - "Barsetshire with Cypress Trees and a Lot of Sidearms.” My understanding is that it is set in Texas, is about 2000 pages, has cattlemen and Injuns and tons of forgotten Texas history and of course lots of sidearms, so…you know, what’s not to look forward to? We need more of that, to my mind. (complete review here) TFG |
"The"Sparks Tribune"
At first the story might seem terribly familiar: a party of ox-team emigrants, bound for California in the 1840s. Several families, linked by blood and friendship, venture into the trackless wilderness, become lost in the desert and finally caught in the winter snow high in the Sierra Nevada. They build a few miserable huts and wait for rescue. Yet this is not another retelling of the purgatory suffered by the Donner-Reed Party, but something rarer and a little different. Texas writer Celia Hayes expertly recreates the relatively unknown journey of the Townsend-Murphy Party of 1844, the first to bring their wagons along a previously unknown path up the Truckee River and to muscle them up a sheer cliff to the summit and into California. This daring accomplishment always has been overshadowed by the slow-motion disaster that overtook the Donners and Reeds, in nonfiction and fiction alike.
A pity, because the earlier heroic trek is fascinating. Hayes has done full justice to the characters. Doctor Townsend is a genial and erudite man who knows himself well enough to know that he does not want to be the party leader. Nor does he want to bear the responsibility of leading 50 or so men, women and childrne out into the trackless wilderness. Much of the story is told through Townsend's personal diary and a handful of letters written by his wife, Elizabeth. The other emigrants of the party are sharply observed. Among them Elisha Stephens, a solitary and eccentric blacksmith who becomes the party's captain and Old Martin Murphy, whose family and friends make up nearly half the party.
Running as an alternate narration is the voice of Eddie Patterson, rembering in old age what he witnessed as a child of seven or eight. “…Oh, it was a glorious to see… I can close my eyes and see it still, mile after mile of that beautiful green grass, full of wild-flowers it was, rippling in that sweet clean wind…. The wagons coming over the top of the hill, those canvas covers shining in the sun, and the feel of it when we children ran through it in our bare feet, with the sun on our faces, and butterflies and dragon-flies all going every which way in the sunshine…”
The writer has a good ear for conversation and a deft command of period detail, as well as the authentic language of the time. She makes clear the sheer amount of hard physical work that this journey entailed, from hitching up in the morning, to setting up camp at the end of a days travel, all the way from the Mississippi-Missouri River to Sutters’ Fort. She also manages to convey something of the wonder and peril of the emigrant journey across country where they were often forced to blaze their own path. In writing “To Truckee’s Trail” she has convincingly fleshed out a set of people about whom only the barest details are known, and suggested how they managed to avoid the fate which befell a similar party, traveling over the same trail, only two years later.
Kathy Johnson in ", 30 September 2007
"...It reads perfectly well as an adventure story -- kids and adults alike will love it if they enjoyed _Swiss Family Robinson_, but where the author really shines is in her depiction of the people and the times. The characters come alive with the virtues of the American pioneer: grit, honor and decency, but their portrayal is never over the top..."
James Cooley, reader and reviewer at Amazon.com. Complete review here
...Those who enjoy historical fiction or regional American history should also enjoy this imaginative reconstruction of a real months’ long trek from Ohio to near Sacramento. For us in the 21st Century, who fly in a handful of hours over the land that the Stephens-Townsend Party trudged across in months, a detailed and harrowing reconstruction of the bravery and perseverance of one party of overland immigrants can restore a sense of wonder and delight at how far we have traveled in 160 years, and in more than miles...
CEH Weidel, reviewer, Blogger News Network, Complete review here