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seshat59's review
2.0
I loved PBS's mini-series, and it inspired me to pick up the book. This is one case where I much prefer the TV adaptation and will follow the story there.
soliveri718's review against another edition
4.0
After binge watching the show, I decided that I should probably pick up the book about the story that has so captivated me. I found the book to be quite enjoyable. To me it read very much like the show in the beginning of the novel and then it shifted towards the middle to something new and fresh. I love how the books always provide a larger window into the world of the author, more so than a show or a movie could ever do. Although it took me awhile to finish this book, it is a very quick read; the words practically fly off the page. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys period dramas with a hint of romance. I look forward to reading the other novels in the series.
mafryc's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
I’ve been burned several times before by excitedly picking up seemingly riveting books only to be sorely disappointed by the bland 1940s writing style, so I was a bit hesitant to try this one out, even after I was enticed by the TV series trailer.
I loved that it was a bit more challenging to read (not that it was difficult, per se) since it was written back in the day where authors could write intelligently and didn’t cater to the elementary reading level that seems now to be the norm.
The plot itself stuck to the 40s style of laissez faire. With one book down, I'll start the TV series, and decide from there if reading the next book would be valuable use of my time. Though enjoyable, the ending left no compelling promise of excitement to persuade readers to continue reading.
I’ve been burned several times before by excitedly picking up seemingly riveting books only to be sorely disappointed by the bland 1940s writing style, so I was a bit hesitant to try this one out, even after I was enticed by the TV series trailer.
I loved that it was a bit more challenging to read (not that it was difficult, per se) since it was written back in the day where authors could write intelligently and didn’t cater to the elementary reading level that seems now to be the norm.
The plot itself stuck to the 40s style of laissez faire. With one book down, I'll start the TV series, and decide from there if reading the next book would be valuable use of my time. Though enjoyable, the ending left no compelling promise of excitement to persuade readers to continue reading.
touton1987's review against another edition
4.0
Well written story with enough dialogue and description. Somewhat slow moving. Good main character development.
kathleenww's review against another edition
5.0
I'm giving this five stars because:
A.The writing is really lovely. Cornwall itself plays a large role in the novel, and if you love the latest vesion of the series produced by Masterpiece, you'll probably enjoy the descriptive scenes of Cornwall and the countryside around its coastline.
B. Captain Ross Poldark and Demelzda, the young girl he saves from the hands of an abusive father, have an undeniable chemstry. While the time line of events is a bit diffferent from the show, the spirit of Graham's writing and characters and plot is still much the same. Development is a bit different, but perhaps more in keeping with both the time period the novels were written in and taking place in. Believeable and endearing.
C. Ross Poldark is an endearing, nearly Byronic anti-hero. But his tender heart and loving and helpful nature towards everyone keep him from being an angry young man. This is what truly unfolds in this novel. We see growth in characters.
D. Definitely a reread.
If you enjoy historical fiction like Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind and Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, you will enjoy this one. With a multidtude of smaller characters, and a few major plotlines, the reader is given a glimpse into lives that are sadly, no longer loved this way. Graham is genius at showing traditions on both a large scale, and more local ones as well. Pilchards fishing and cutting hay, womens' clothing of the period, and local trends concerning faith and laws are all touched upon. You will learn something about the Cornish culture. While not told from any one perspective, Graham bravely allows us to hear the thoughts of his characters when the time is right. His storytelling is charming, and you can't help but adore Ross, Demelzda, Verity, Jud and Prudie, Elizabeth and even Francis.
A.The writing is really lovely. Cornwall itself plays a large role in the novel, and if you love the latest vesion of the series produced by Masterpiece, you'll probably enjoy the descriptive scenes of Cornwall and the countryside around its coastline.
B. Captain Ross Poldark and Demelzda, the young girl he saves from the hands of an abusive father, have an undeniable chemstry. While the time line of events is a bit diffferent from the show, the spirit of Graham's writing and characters and plot is still much the same. Development is a bit different, but perhaps more in keeping with both the time period the novels were written in and taking place in. Believeable and endearing.
C. Ross Poldark is an endearing, nearly Byronic anti-hero. But his tender heart and loving and helpful nature towards everyone keep him from being an angry young man. This is what truly unfolds in this novel. We see growth in characters.
D. Definitely a reread.
If you enjoy historical fiction like Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind and Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, you will enjoy this one. With a multidtude of smaller characters, and a few major plotlines, the reader is given a glimpse into lives that are sadly, no longer loved this way. Graham is genius at showing traditions on both a large scale, and more local ones as well. Pilchards fishing and cutting hay, womens' clothing of the period, and local trends concerning faith and laws are all touched upon. You will learn something about the Cornish culture. While not told from any one perspective, Graham bravely allows us to hear the thoughts of his characters when the time is right. His storytelling is charming, and you can't help but adore Ross, Demelzda, Verity, Jud and Prudie, Elizabeth and even Francis.
alifeoflit's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
Ross Poldark is a man returning home to Cornwall after his time in America during the Revolutionary War. Unfortunately, he comes home to find his father dead, his estate in shambles, and the woman he loves engaged to his cousin. This is the story of how he picks up the pieces of his life, aided by the young Demelza, who he rescues and brings to his home.
This book is much older than what I usually read, and that for sure led to a very slow paced, flowery writing style that I wasn’t all that fond of. There’s a lot of words to tell very little actual story.
That being said, there were certain moments and characters that had me invested and desperate to learn more.
Demelza was for sure the best part of this book, and her relationship with Ross was equally strange and passionate. Demelza grows from an abused, poor child into a determined young woman, and watching her explore and rediscover the world around her was captivating. Her relationship with Ross felt strange given the age difference and the circumstances of their meeting, but it grew into something I loved, and I’m excited to read more.
I cannot for the life of me understand Ross’ obsession with Elizabeth. She’s honestly insufferable.
Verity was also a character I loved, and while Demelza’s view of her relationship with Captain Blamey was concerning, I do hope that plot line comes back in a later book because I definitely feel like their story is unfinished.
Ross himself is not my favorite male lead just yet, but he is growing on me.
All in all, I liked it more than I thought I would, and I’m interested in reading more of the series.
Ross Poldark is a man returning home to Cornwall after his time in America during the Revolutionary War. Unfortunately, he comes home to find his father dead, his estate in shambles, and the woman he loves engaged to his cousin. This is the story of how he picks up the pieces of his life, aided by the young Demelza, who he rescues and brings to his home.
This book is much older than what I usually read, and that for sure led to a very slow paced, flowery writing style that I wasn’t all that fond of. There’s a lot of words to tell very little actual story.
That being said, there were certain moments and characters that had me invested and desperate to learn more.
Demelza was for sure the best part of this book, and her relationship with Ross was equally strange and passionate. Demelza grows from an abused, poor child into a determined young woman, and watching her explore and rediscover the world around her was captivating. Her relationship with Ross felt strange given the age difference and the circumstances of their meeting, but it grew into something I loved, and I’m excited to read more.
I cannot for the life of me understand Ross’ obsession with Elizabeth. She’s honestly insufferable.
Verity was also a character I loved, and while Demelza’s view of her relationship with Captain Blamey was concerning, I do hope that plot line comes back in a later book because I definitely feel like their story is unfinished.
Ross himself is not my favorite male lead just yet, but he is growing on me.
All in all, I liked it more than I thought I would, and I’m interested in reading more of the series.
jamheck's review against another edition
3.0
wanted to see what the hype was all about for the show. i enjoyed most of this but not enough to keep me going with the whole series right now.
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!