Ross Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall, 1783-1787 (The Poldark Saga Book 1)

In recent years I’d heard voices in the Austenesque community raving about how much they loved the old Poldark television series, originally broadcast from 1975-1977. Discussions of the program became more frequent when news of the latest visual version was released. As my local public library had DVD copies of the two seasons of the old show, I decided to bring them home and give them a try. At first I was surprised at the low production values, and the somewhat soap-ish style of acting from some of the performers, but the more I watched, the more I was pulled into the series. The 18th-century story of Captain Ross Poldark, Demelza Carne and the myriad characters created by author Winston Graham was simply a delight. I practically binge-watched all 29 episodes, and lamented the series’ conclusion. To know that a new version was in production was exciting, and I hoped that the material would be handled just as well, if not better than it had been in the 70’s. As of now I’ve only viewed one episode of the new Poldark starring Aidan Turner, and while it has a much different feel this time around, I’m enjoying it.Like many movie fans, I enjoy reading the source material for many of the films that I watch. Not long after I started watching the old Poldark, I added the Winston Graham novels to my vast TBR list. I honestly didn’t know when I’d get around to reading these titles, and were it not for today’s book tour, it might have been years before I would have accomplished that. So I’m grateful for this opportunity to not only review Ross Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall, but to also get around to one of the many titles waiting to be devoured on my list.As with many novels taken to the big screen, the original text is far more rich and developed than any two-hour movie or multi-episode miniseries. Such is the case with Winston Graham’s Ross Poldark, the first in a 12-volume collection. Within this riveting narrative, we are introduced to Graham’s Cornwall in the late 18th century. Captain Ross Poldark is returning from the war in America to find that much of what he left behind has changed. He must learn to adjust to these changes, as well as survive on his own as a landowner and employer. Thrust into his life is a streetwise imp named Demelza Carne, who escapes domestic abuse to become Ross’ kitchen maid. His decision to take her in will alter his life’s quality forever.I cannot express how much I enjoyed Ross Poldark. Winston Graham’s writing was exquisite, the perfect balance of scene-setting (without too much detail), character development and diverting plot. Moments of humor are sprinkled throughout the story, popping up when they aren’t expected, somehow becoming more humorous due to their placement. Graham frequently captures the local dialects and accents within his often-phonetic writing, sometimes making the language a bit tricky to understand, but this illustrates his ability to write as people truly speak. He also includes inner dialogue, revealing the thoughts of his characters in a very unique way. The manner in which he sets his scenes is also quite delightful, as he artistically paints a picture of the environment and social atmosphere in a way that was compelling, but never crossing over into the realm of purple prose.The character development seen in Ross Poldark was particularly interesting. Virtually all of his characters go through some sort of transformation: From his titular character, to the kitchen maid, to secondary characters, right down to even the family dog. Some go through physical changes, but most mature and grow in ways that are quite remarkable. There were multiple scenes that nearly brought me to tears, they were so poignant in their revelation. Several of the characters must navigate the maze that includes social convention, family tradition, old relationships, financial issues, religion, old wounds and rivalries. To see the manner in which these issues are deftly (and not so deftly) handled was fascinating.As Ross Poldark is the first in the series, the novel does have a conclusion, but it also leaves several loose ends that will easily carry the story on to the next set of episodes. I have the next novel, Demelza standing ready to take in, and I am thoroughly looking forward to continuing my exploration of the world that Winston Graham has created. The original television series was lovely and I enjoyed it very much, but I simply loved the novel even more, and plan to keep it in my library for many years to come.

I wanted to read the book because I love the current TV version running on PBS, and I wasn't disappointed. If anything, the characters are better developed in the book than in the show, which makes the story even more enjoyable, though it's wonderful how faithful the show is to the book. If anything, the book leaved me wanting more; I was disappointed at where it left off, and I see now that I'll have to read Demelza, the next one, to follow the characters further to the point where the show's first season leaves off. All in all, I found Poldark to be well-written and a genuinely good piece of literature. As an American, all I know about the English during that period is that they lost the war, and too bad for them! But the book, like the show, portrays many of the ordinary English people of the time and how their government's policies and actions abroad were affecting them and the economy. It was an interesting and fun read at the same time.

Ross Poldark, the heir of Nampara, an estate on the Cornwall coast, comes home from fighting for the English cause in the Revolutionary War to find his life in shambles. The girl who has buoyed his spirits while he was away is marrying his cousin; his father has died; and his legacy, a brooding manor house not as grand as his cousin's, is falling apart, due to the inattentions of his dissolute servants.Winston Graham masterfully transfuses vitality and interest into this story of old Cornwall, making what might have been a historical romance into something so much more. I have read and reread this series so many times, I've had to replace books on a regular basis, as I either pass them on to good reader friends or wear them out. Mr Graham takes a point in history, and through what must have been a labour of love, has researched it down to furnishings and flora without losing anything in the way of the reader's attention. I literally find it hard to put this book down, even after many readings.Ross's life as a young squire is told so richly that it is impossible not to feel as though you are there walking with him on Hendrawna Beach when a ship has gone aground and the populace flocks to the site to claim whatever comes in on the tide. His beautifully portrayed common people, miners and miner's wives, servants, and farmers, come off the page audibly; one can hear their speech in the well-crafted patois Mr Graham obviously understood so well. Ross is well thought of by those who live on his land; the miners trust him, and he gives them every reason to, being a fair and decent lord of the estate. He feels for the plight of men and women who have nothing, and fights for them amongst his own class.He is still very human; his loss of his first love to his cousin is a continual canker on his soul, and he assuages it with drink and work. On the way home from purchasing new stock one day, he impulsively rescues an urchin from a bunch of bullies, only to find he has a young girl in tow. Through desultory discussion with her, he learns that if she goes home, she will be beaten by her father for not getting what he sent her for, and Ross - a man of unpredictable decisions - comes to the conclusion that his slovenly housekeeper could use a protege (as could his house). He brings the girl, Demelza, home to be a servant.This book is full of all the interactions between master and servant, servant and servant, miner and landowner, upper and lower class. Everyone is drawn precisely so that the very room the person is in is visible to the mind's eye. I had the good fortune, years ago, to see the PBS series of "Poldark" which transposed very well to the screen, so in effect I CAN hear the protagonists; but even without that advantage, I'm pretty sure I could go to Cornwall now and understand what people are saying,just from Mr Graham's complete command of the dialect."Ross Poldark" is an excellent beginning to a stellar literary series that tells a story you do not want to end. If you love historical fiction, interspersed with real events, and believeable, warm characters written with humour (you'll love Jud), this is the best series I can recommend. I've brought it to a number of my friends, and everyone who reads it loves it. You will wish that you knew Ross Poldark, and all those who populate his world.

Historia maravilhosa!!!

Me gustó mucho

I have already seen the TV series, so I know the story. It is an entirely differnt experience to read the book. The author is great! The quality of printining is good. It is a great buy for the price. Go for it!!

Livré en bon état avant même que prévu j adore le livre

Putroppo non ho guardato bene ed ho ordinato il libro in lingua inglese . Per me che non conosco la lingua, è inutile, perciò ho comunicato l'errore ad Amazon che me l'ha immediatamente sostituito (!!!) con un altro initaliano...... rifiutando il libro che volevo mandare indietro..... serissimi, roba da non credere. E' sempre una questione di soldi... penso spendessero dipiù a farlo ritornare in sede.Grazie Amazon.Recensione: il libro non era per me ma per mia figlia che lo leggerà, quando non lo so.....