Reviews

Bella Poldark by Winston Graham

kath61's review

5.0

This was a real treat, partly as it was a sequel I hadn't realised existed and partly because it was a big fat book that could be really enjoyed. I felt things were really completed this time so it left me satisfied. Excellent writing, characters, story, setting etc.

bwreads's review

5.0

When I finished this book, I cried because I felt as if I lost important people in my life. As if I were Claire Fraser jumping ahead in time through the stones and realizing that all the people she knew died a long time ago - in this case in the 1800s. I was there with the Poldarks for so long, my life feels empty without them.

And now, I must search every used book store in Washington state to find first editions of all Winston Graham's books. It's my new life goal.

aprilparker97's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-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

3.0

polyhy_14's review

4.0

Having finally reached the end of this wonderful series I’m feeling rather bereft. It has pretty much everything a good read should have: beautiful descriptive writing, humour and pathos, deeply flawed yet mostly likeable, if not loveable characters and plenty of conflict, adventure and mystery, and to cap it all off, well-researched political and social history. Most of all, however is the author’s ability to make the reader care about what happens to the characters, and to inhabit their lives, homes and communities. I feel as though I’ve just said goodbye to old and dear friends.

ilaria_d's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder and Death

abbieday's review

medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

This was not my favorite, but a lovely way to end the series. I’ll miss the Poldarks!

jillreads77's review

4.0

Great end to the Poldark series. I loved how the books put in characters from history and wove the story of the Poldark family through the events of the early 1800's. The characters are well defined and interesting.

mystery_reader_24's review against another edition

3.0

I am glad to have completed the Poldark series but the last book wasn't quite on par with the earlier novels.

kbuchanan's review against another edition

3.0

It's hard to believe that I will not be visiting Ross, Demelza, George, or their children again in their wild Cornish home after so long a sojurn. This sweeping epic is certainly satisfying in an uncomplicated, Romantic sort of way, even if this last volume spent a lot of time trying to interest us in a character who reads as completely indefensible and offensive through a modern lens. There is much to love, however, aside from Valentine's flaws, so I will choose to dwell on all of that and remember my rugged Cornish heroes and heroines fondly as I send them off into the sunset!

barrettcmyk's review against another edition

5.0

This is the twelfth and final installment in the Poldark series, and I'm more than a little sad to have reached the end. This slice-of-life style series has a little bit of everything: romance, adventure, duels, politics, crime; discussion of society, mining, shipping... All which felt real and interesting. And oh, the characters, none fully heroic or evil, but with lots of shades between. I'll miss reading them. Actually, there are still from previous books I still miss. Watching the BBC series and seeing some back almost drives the knife a bit deeper.

Specific to the plot, there are a few pieces I wish would've been tied up. With the majority of the series focused on the conflict between Poldark and Warleggan, it seems strange not to have some of closure there.

But all told-- and excellent series. Much recommended.