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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.
lindseysparks's review against another edition
3.0
Started slow compared to the show but picked up by the end. Weirdly, it covered a lot of ground! I had trouble picturing Demelza with dark hair!
findmebetweenthecovers's review against another edition
5.0
After finishing a disappointing season 5 of the PBS/Masterpiece TV production of Poldark, I thought it'd be a good time to read this book as a bit of a palate cleanser. I was pleasantly surprised at how true to the book season one of the show was. It was nice to get a more in depth POV to what these characters went through/felt that the TV show didn't have time to touch on.
If you too were disappointed in the final season of Poldark, consider reading the series. After this first book turned out to be so enjoyable, I've decided to get ahold of the next few. There are 12, total, I believe, so if they're all so we'll written, it'll be a joy to keep reading about my favorite fictional characters.
If you too were disappointed in the final season of Poldark, consider reading the series. After this first book turned out to be so enjoyable, I've decided to get ahold of the next few. There are 12, total, I believe, so if they're all so we'll written, it'll be a joy to keep reading about my favorite fictional characters.
lucysmith13's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ehays84's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm, this is an interesting one to review. There is a lot to like about it, but ultimately, I'd have to say it wasn't my style. What is really is is a very well done historical soap-opera. I love all of the historical details that the author does so well and the portrait of class differences among the people in a small area of Cornwall in the late 18th century, but I don't so much love the soap opera. This is really a character driven book, and while he does very well writing the characters, this just isn't enough for me.
The main thing left out is setting. I just never really got a clear picture of either Poldark house or really even a clear picture of where the key locations are compared to each other. The author should have done more to help me visualize his surroundings that he otherwise does so well to bring out.
I'm not going to go on about the soap opera bit. I wonder if I would have liked it more if I would have watched it first, but now that I've read this, I don't plan to watch it. And I really loved Downton and many other BBC period dramas, so maybe I can just deal with this sort of story better if I'm watching it with my wife than reading it in a long-ish book.
What got me interested in this in the first place is that I heard it was a well-written piece of historical fiction about 18th century England. Right up my street, and then I heard it was about someone who fought in the Revolutionary War--even better. But, seriously, the fact that he fought in the war matters NOT EVEN ONE LITTLE BIT. He could just have been traveling for a few years, or gone on business, or anything, because the only reason it mattered was that he wasn't there to marry Elizabeth (too late for spoiler alert). I just feel like the character driven plot pieces have almost 0 to do with the history of the time, which is a shame to me because there is so much to do there.
Not sad I read it, but not really my thing. Not planning to read any of the rest of the series, although I do still very much respect what the author created here.
The main thing left out is setting. I just never really got a clear picture of either Poldark house or really even a clear picture of where the key locations are compared to each other. The author should have done more to help me visualize his surroundings that he otherwise does so well to bring out.
I'm not going to go on about the soap opera bit. I wonder if I would have liked it more if I would have watched it first, but now that I've read this, I don't plan to watch it. And I really loved Downton and many other BBC period dramas, so maybe I can just deal with this sort of story better if I'm watching it with my wife than reading it in a long-ish book.
What got me interested in this in the first place is that I heard it was a well-written piece of historical fiction about 18th century England. Right up my street, and then I heard it was about someone who fought in the Revolutionary War--even better. But, seriously, the fact that he fought in the war matters NOT EVEN ONE LITTLE BIT. He could just have been traveling for a few years, or gone on business, or anything, because the only reason it mattered was that he wasn't there to marry Elizabeth (too late for spoiler alert). I just feel like the character driven plot pieces have almost 0 to do with the history of the time, which is a shame to me because there is so much to do there.
Not sad I read it, but not really my thing. Not planning to read any of the rest of the series, although I do still very much respect what the author created here.
ollie_gracie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
evirae's review
5.0
This Book Was: Sweet, Charming, Hilarious, Filled with Great Personalities, Not Too Unrealistic At ALL
Content Rating: Rated PG for some drunken rants (that are awesome) and some suggestive scenes
Maturity Rating: High Maturity - You'll need to be able to read and reason out broken English accents, but if you pronounce it in your mind, you shouldn't have an issue; also, this was an easy read for me, but I'm a sucker for Pride & Prejudice-esque scenery and the contrast of common folk vs genteel society.
Would I recommend it? -- Yes!
---
I think of Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice when I think of how to describe this book... except not at all as dreary. (And I adore both stated novels) This book has SO much charm, wit, and candor that it wouldn't allow me to put it down until I was finished. I'm now reading the second book, but I can say with confidence that, were you to read just this one, it would stand very well on its own. The ending is satisfying for those who want to continue with the story in the following chapters of this tale but also can be taken by itself perfectly.
Note: I am NOT a fan of most novels that speak of anything "romance" or "love story" in the blurb. Usually such titles are ridiculous, trite, and so outlandish that I can't finish them. I have never been a fan of any "bodice rippers" either.
That said, this book has some swoon-worthy moments, but they are well spaced and very restrained. I suppose that it's because this caters to my delicate sensibilities that I loved every page of it, even with my cynical (realist) outlook.(har har, I know, but I am okay with fading to black instead of getting the Fabio-Penetration Play-by-Play)
This book was just too charming and sweet for words to describe it properly-- yet it still pulled off a ton of moments that were laugh-out-loud hilarious. Also, Jud's rant (if you read, you'll know what I mean) had me rolling in the floor with laughter.
Content Rating: Rated PG for some drunken rants (that are awesome) and some suggestive scenes
Maturity Rating: High Maturity - You'll need to be able to read and reason out broken English accents, but if you pronounce it in your mind, you shouldn't have an issue; also, this was an easy read for me, but I'm a sucker for Pride & Prejudice-esque scenery and the contrast of common folk vs genteel society.
Would I recommend it? -- Yes!
---
I think of Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice when I think of how to describe this book... except not at all as dreary. (And I adore both stated novels) This book has SO much charm, wit, and candor that it wouldn't allow me to put it down until I was finished. I'm now reading the second book, but I can say with confidence that, were you to read just this one, it would stand very well on its own. The ending is satisfying for those who want to continue with the story in the following chapters of this tale but also can be taken by itself perfectly.
Note: I am NOT a fan of most novels that speak of anything "romance" or "love story" in the blurb. Usually such titles are ridiculous, trite, and so outlandish that I can't finish them. I have never been a fan of any "bodice rippers" either.
That said, this book has some swoon-worthy moments, but they are well spaced and very restrained. I suppose that it's because this caters to my delicate sensibilities that I loved every page of it, even with my cynical (realist) outlook.(har har, I know, but I am okay with fading to black instead of getting the Fabio-Penetration Play-by-Play)
This book was just too charming and sweet for words to describe it properly-- yet it still pulled off a ton of moments that were laugh-out-loud hilarious. Also, Jud's rant (if you read, you'll know what I mean) had me rolling in the floor with laughter.
ddejong's review against another edition
4.0
Having watched the whole Poldark TV series (the recent Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson version), the plot of this book was already well known to me but what a delightful, cozy read it was all the same. (One of the things that struck me in reading the book was just how spot on the casting was in the TV show.) The English mid-century romance is a genre I can get behind. Daphne du Maurier, another author I love, was writing her novels at the same time as Winston Graham— also predominantly taking place in Cornwall, a stunning, rugged landscape that has captivated me since my late teens when I first discovered du Maurier. Cornwall’s 18th century mining industry was unknown to me before encountering Poldark. In general, I’ve enjoyed getting a glimpse of English history during a period that I predominantly associate with the birth and independence of the United States. Ross and Demelza are a love story for the ages—as much as they can also both be completely infuriating and foolish. I look forward to slowly making my way through the full series of books in the years to come.
meganac's review against another edition
4.0
After watching the show, I'm not sure I expected the book to be like this. Some parts are word-for-word the same, other parts couldn't possibly be more different. I enjoyed reading it, so I'm giving it a 4 star rating.
Actually, that rating is because of the last eight pages. Which are SO different from the show, and shocked me. If you want to know how eight pages influenced my review, well. I guess you'll have to read the book.
(For anyone wondering, this book is fairly delicate and clean, compared to the show.)
Actually, that rating is because of the last eight pages. Which are SO different from the show, and shocked me. If you want to know how eight pages influenced my review, well. I guess you'll have to read the book.
(For anyone wondering, this book is fairly delicate and clean, compared to the show.)