Reviews

Demelza: A Novel of Cornwall, 1788-1790 by Winston Graham

filosophicfoton's review against another edition

I started reading the series bc I had a hangover from the end of the show but got far enough along to cure it. Will probably pick the series back up at some point. 

lucyandherbooks's review against another edition

emotional sad 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

4.5

krobart's review against another edition

3.0

See my review here:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/02/23/day-854-demelza/

lisawreading's review against another edition

4.0

Demelza is book #2 in the Poldark series. I started reading the books after watching the first couple of episodes of the PBS/BBC TV production... but now I'm hooked on the books! The writing has an old-fashioned feel to it (the books I've read so far were written in the 1940s), and is just quite lovely when it comes to describing the seascapes, the ballrooms, and the countryside.

I love the story of heroic Ross Poldark and his wife Demelza, the copper companies and their wheeling and dealing, the upper class snobs and the lower class workers. There's drama, romance, intrigue, and tragedy.

The book ends on such a dark note that I'm tempted to move straight into the 3rd book in hopes that there will be a ray of sunshine -- but I'm going to force myself to hold off for a bit rather than start reading nothing but Poldark books for the next several months.

Definitely recommended for fans of historical fiction. And yes, it's worth reading these books even if you watched the TV show already. The TV storyline is mostly faithful to the books, but the books provide a lot more detail and really bring out the supporting characters in a much stronger way.

aina21's review against another edition

3.0

Ross poldark was better

gilbertk's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.0

peakeinsideabook's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this one! The beginning wasn't as slow as Ross Poldark because I was already familiar with the cast of characters. I loved seeing Demelza's evolution in this book to becoming more confident in her role at Nampara and more independent. I was on the edge of my seat during parts of this book and devastated by the ending. I enjoyed the side characters and story lines, but the parts about the copper company were a little hard to follow for me.

sarahwhite25's review against another edition

emotional informative lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

3.75

secreteeyore's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it.

bkdrgn303's review against another edition

4.0

I LOVE this series. I read it for the first time when I was 13 years old and I've read the entire series at least a half dozen times over these many years. I am listening to the audiobooks this time round and still loving it. The first four books in the series were published in the five years spanning 1945-1950 but they are timeless. I highly recommend this series. The audiobooks thus far have been outstanding.