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archergal's review against another edition
4.0
This, friends, is how you start a multi-generational saga.
We meet Ross, home from the war in American, coming to deal with his father's neglected estate. His cousin Elizabeth, with whom he had an understanding, has decided to marry a DIFFERENT cousin. Various other people are unlucky in love. Ross rescues a waif at a fair, and carries her home to work in his kitchen, with no other intent. But, as these things sometimes go, they end up together.
It's quite a good story, though I always find attempts at writing dialect distracting. I'm really curious to know what happens next.
At this time of writing, I haven't seen the new PBS series. I may look it up a bit later.
Recommended.
We meet Ross, home from the war in American, coming to deal with his father's neglected estate. His cousin Elizabeth, with whom he had an understanding, has decided to marry a DIFFERENT cousin. Various other people are unlucky in love. Ross rescues a waif at a fair, and carries her home to work in his kitchen, with no other intent. But, as these things sometimes go, they end up together.
It's quite a good story, though I always find attempts at writing dialect distracting. I'm really curious to know what happens next.
At this time of writing, I haven't seen the new PBS series. I may look it up a bit later.
Recommended.
omnivorous's review against another edition
4.0
The 2015 TV series stays very true to its source material, at least for the first book in this series. So much so that, if you've seen the show, you can safely skip past this book. It's an enjoyable read, but you won't miss anything.
The greatest difference between the book/show was in Demelza's characterization. Demelza is only 13 at the start of this book and is only 18 at the end. She is both physically and mentally more immature here than she is on the show. Book Demelza can be vain and mean-spirited (not often, she's still a kind-hearted person). But she's young, and these traits make her very realistic. Still, I liked show Demelza more.
As for the other characters, Elizabeth is more likeable in the book. Ross is less broody. Jud and Aunt Agatha provide great comic relief. Francis is a less developed character than his show counterpart. And Verity is almost exactly the same between the book/show.
Overall, I enjoyed the show more.
Audiobook review:
The narrator does a very good job. My only complaint is that his voice for Francis is too old. Francis sounds older than his own father.
And a final note:
Demelza gives terrible love advice:
“If you love someone,” said Demelza, “tesn’t a few bruises on the back that are going to count. It’s whether that other one loves you in return. If he do, then he can only hurt your body. He can’t hurt your heart.”
The greatest difference between the book/show was in Demelza's characterization. Demelza is only 13 at the start of this book and is only 18 at the end. She is both physically and mentally more immature here than she is on the show. Book Demelza can be vain and mean-spirited (not often, she's still a kind-hearted person). But she's young, and these traits make her very realistic. Still, I liked show Demelza more.
As for the other characters, Elizabeth is more likeable in the book. Ross is less broody. Jud and Aunt Agatha provide great comic relief. Francis is a less developed character than his show counterpart. And Verity is almost exactly the same between the book/show.
Overall, I enjoyed the show more.
Audiobook review:
The narrator does a very good job. My only complaint is that his voice for Francis is too old. Francis sounds older than his own father.
And a final note:
Demelza gives terrible love advice:
“If you love someone,” said Demelza, “tesn’t a few bruises on the back that are going to count. It’s whether that other one loves you in return. If he do, then he can only hurt your body. He can’t hurt your heart.”
bkread2's review
5.0
I am very impressed with not only the writing but as to how accurate PBS is following the storyline for the most part. I am completely hooked onto this series!! I cannot wait to start reading the next in the series!
emilybryk's review against another edition
1.0
I hate everyone in this book.
Actually, that's too strong. None of them are character enough to hate. Ross is a big dull drip, and kind of a jerk to like literally everyone. I think Francis is a big vague drip. I think Elizabeth is just a drip, period. Verity is a big I-read-a-Jane-Austen-book-once drip. And Demelza is a big I've-never-met-a-woman drip.
I can't come up with a reason that people like this, except that the Masterpiece Theater version is full of really hot actors.
Actually, that's too strong. None of them are character enough to hate. Ross is a big dull drip, and kind of a jerk to like literally everyone. I think Francis is a big vague drip. I think Elizabeth is just a drip, period. Verity is a big I-read-a-Jane-Austen-book-once drip. And Demelza is a big I've-never-met-a-woman drip.
I can't come up with a reason that people like this, except that the Masterpiece Theater version is full of really hot actors.
gilbertk's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
msnyderk's review against another edition
5.0
I was inspired to start Poldark after finishing season two of the series on Masterpiece. So glad I did. Even though this book covers season one, I still feel like I'm getting to know the characters a little better by reading the book. I love revisiting how Demelza comes to be in Ross's home and all that happens with Francis, Elizabeth and Verity. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
corvinaq's review against another edition
4.0
On the one hand, this is kind of an extravagantly corny book. It's a big, old-fashioned scenery-chomping melodrama. Various SHOCKING things occur out of the blue with no rhyme or reason except for the "eeeeeeee" factor. There is entirely too much use of the word "enpurpled." Why does everyone in this book have gout? There's also some side-eye from me on various characters' ruminations on theoretical wife-spanking and wife-beating.
But this book doesn't take itself too seriously mostly. It's a melodrama with HIGH good humor and enthusiasm. The scenery was chomped with such gusto and joy I ended up quite enjoying the book. I will read the sequel!
But this book doesn't take itself too seriously mostly. It's a melodrama with HIGH good humor and enthusiasm. The scenery was chomped with such gusto and joy I ended up quite enjoying the book. I will read the sequel!
allisonjpmiller's review against another edition
3.0
Lovely writing and intricate characterization, but I wasn't entirely comfortable with certain aspects of Ross and Demelza's relationship, and I don't like the final sentiment we're left with re: Verity and Captain Blarney (regardless of how their story may evolve in the future). It's hard to tell if Graham is making excuses for these things or simply letting his characters do so. Sometimes they feel like mouthpieces, sometimes not. It bugs me enough that I'll probably pick up the next book at some point, for clarity's sake. ;P
blueshadow's review against another edition
4.0
Great writing, managed to keep my interest even through somewhat slow pacing.
Lots of characters and plot threads, which weren't all resolved so that was a bit frustrating.
Overall I enjoyed the story and descriptions of the setting, it was a nice, just slightly different addition to the Regency and Victorian era novels I have been reading lately.
Lots of characters and plot threads, which weren't all resolved so that was a bit frustrating.
Overall I enjoyed the story and descriptions of the setting, it was a nice, just slightly different addition to the Regency and Victorian era novels I have been reading lately.
nomer15's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. I admit, I had never heard of this book or show until just a couple months ago. The premise looked interesting, so my husband and I watched the first episode of the PBS show. We were immediately sucked in and that's when I discovered that the show was based on a series of novels. Being a book nerd, I was eager to read the books and see how they compared to the show.
I'm so glad I picked up this book. The show stays quite true to the novel and the novel gives so much added depth and richness to the show. It was also helpful to gain a greater perspective of time passing in the novel since the time lapse can be quite difficult to follow through the show. I am eager to go on with the second novel in the series and pick up on more adventures of the Poldark family.
I'm so glad I picked up this book. The show stays quite true to the novel and the novel gives so much added depth and richness to the show. It was also helpful to gain a greater perspective of time passing in the novel since the time lapse can be quite difficult to follow through the show. I am eager to go on with the second novel in the series and pick up on more adventures of the Poldark family.