You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
jennutley's review
4.0
How have I not heard of these books before? I am seriously dismayed that they weren’t on my radar.
I watched the first season of Poldark before picking this one up. Loved season one and loved this first book. It was like reading Jane Austen but with language much closer to our time. Highly readable. Some great historical fiction.
I watched the first season of Poldark before picking this one up. Loved season one and loved this first book. It was like reading Jane Austen but with language much closer to our time. Highly readable. Some great historical fiction.
elaine_2010's review against another edition
5.0
It was fun reading this book because I love the PBS show. It was nice reading about the different storylines that are not in the TV show. I can't wait to read the next book!
jhallresults's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jennchandler's review
5.0
I very much enjoyed this.
I will freely admit, though, that it might be because I have been watching and enjoying the newest Poldark TV series (with Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson), and much to my surprise and pleasure found it to be a fairly faithful adaptation of the book.
This is the first time I have watched something and then read the book it was based upon. It was interesting already having a picture in my head of how the characters looked, and what they were like. As the adaptation is true, however, watching it, and then reading the source material is proving to be quite lovely; now I'm getting the big picture as well as the small details of the characters' lives.
I am quite looking forward to the next book!
I will freely admit, though, that it might be because I have been watching and enjoying the newest Poldark TV series (with Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson), and much to my surprise and pleasure found it to be a fairly faithful adaptation of the book.
This is the first time I have watched something and then read the book it was based upon. It was interesting already having a picture in my head of how the characters looked, and what they were like. As the adaptation is true, however, watching it, and then reading the source material is proving to be quite lovely; now I'm getting the big picture as well as the small details of the characters' lives.
I am quite looking forward to the next book!
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
Unread shelf project 2021: book 106.
Romance! Mystery! Drama! Grief! Loss! Hope! Love! All contained in this first volume of the Poldark series.
I ran across this series — funnily enough — from the photo of one of the Bookstagrammers I follow on Instagram. I saw a multitude of fat cream-colored books, zoomed in on the photo, and saw the titles. And summarily hunted them down and realized that they sounded interesting. They had *nothing* to do with the Bookstagrammer’s caption but oh well! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Definitely a good start to the series, which is a good one for fans of epic historical family dramas. It is slow-paced and reminiscent in some ways of JRR Tolkien’s writing style (as I am rereading the LotR series now). That being said, they were written around the same time so it makes sense I suppose. I was fascinated by the fact that this first Poldark book was written in 1945. I’d never heard of this series or the related TV shows before finding the titles in that photo on IG. Isn’t that odd?
I enjoyed Graham’s writing, although he does use the dialect of the Cornish rural folk so sometimes you have to read the dialogue a bit slow in order to follow it fully. I’m invested in Ross and Demelza now, and curious of what is to come of Elizabeth and Francis. On to book 2 (eventually)!
Romance! Mystery! Drama! Grief! Loss! Hope! Love! All contained in this first volume of the Poldark series.
I ran across this series — funnily enough — from the photo of one of the Bookstagrammers I follow on Instagram. I saw a multitude of fat cream-colored books, zoomed in on the photo, and saw the titles. And summarily hunted them down and realized that they sounded interesting. They had *nothing* to do with the Bookstagrammer’s caption but oh well! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Definitely a good start to the series, which is a good one for fans of epic historical family dramas. It is slow-paced and reminiscent in some ways of JRR Tolkien’s writing style (as I am rereading the LotR series now). That being said, they were written around the same time so it makes sense I suppose. I was fascinated by the fact that this first Poldark book was written in 1945. I’d never heard of this series or the related TV shows before finding the titles in that photo on IG. Isn’t that odd?
I enjoyed Graham’s writing, although he does use the dialect of the Cornish rural folk so sometimes you have to read the dialogue a bit slow in order to follow it fully. I’m invested in Ross and Demelza now, and curious of what is to come of Elizabeth and Francis. On to book 2 (eventually)!
cammmiam's review against another edition
5.0
What can I say? After watching the most-recent BBC adaptation of this series, I knew I needed to read the books as well. Due to time restraints, I actually listened to the audiobook, which was absolutely amazing in case you wanted to know; the narrator was fantastic!
I think the appeal of this series is that it is a generational saga that sucks the reader to the coast of Cornwall. All of the characters, primary and secondary alike, are given their own voices, personalities, flaws, and further complexities to carry them through their lives. I felt as if these were real people: there is depth to the interactions and relationships with one another. Because the writing of the characters is so strong it becomes compulsory to want to be amongst them more and more, hence I understand the lasting appeal of the Poldark saga.
Beyond the strong characterization is also the firm sense of time and place. This is superb historical fiction, taking place after Ross returns from the Revolutionary War to find his places at home in Cornwall. The towns, homes,the coast, and the way of life are all depicted give the reader proper footing to understand these people and why they feel the need to make certain choices.
Excellent read/listen. I can't recommend this enough.
I think the appeal of this series is that it is a generational saga that sucks the reader to the coast of Cornwall. All of the characters, primary and secondary alike, are given their own voices, personalities, flaws, and further complexities to carry them through their lives. I felt as if these were real people: there is depth to the interactions and relationships with one another. Because the writing of the characters is so strong it becomes compulsory to want to be amongst them more and more, hence I understand the lasting appeal of the Poldark saga.
Beyond the strong characterization is also the firm sense of time and place. This is superb historical fiction, taking place after Ross returns from the Revolutionary War to find his places at home in Cornwall. The towns, homes,the coast, and the way of life are all depicted give the reader proper footing to understand these people and why they feel the need to make certain choices.
Excellent read/listen. I can't recommend this enough.
caroliney514's review
5.0
After watching the TV adaptation of Poldark on PBS I was craving more and decided to start the book. This book follows very closely to the series, with only a few characters omitted but not drastically different. I enjoyed knowing more about what each character was thinking and feeling, which isn't always easy to see in film or TV adaptations. I think I would have had a hard time reading the heavy Cornish dialogue if I hadn't heard it on the show. There were many times I laughed while reading passages, especially with Francis or Jud and Prudie.
ashro's review against another edition
4.0
I tried to read this a year ago and found it boring. I re-watched the show and decided to pick it up again. I guess sometimes there is a right time for certain books. I really enjoyed reading it this winter. I liked the sweet, practical romance between Ross and Demelza. I like how Ross helps his people. I love how Verity teaches Demelza and takes her under her wing.
lehughes19's review
5.0
After watching the new Poldark series on BBC, I wanted to give this series a try. I'm so glad I did! It's beautifully written and the characters are wonderful. It's interesting to get deeper in the story after watching the action play out on screen. Definitely a favorite! Can't wait to read the rest of the series.