A review by saluki
Demelza: A Novel of Cornwall, 1788–1790 by Winston Graham

4.0

There is plenty of drama in this Cornish saga with some laughs, often from idle and potty mouthed servant Jud, but plenty of tragedy too. The ending is heartbreaking and I will be reading further to see how this affects Demelza and Ross because even though Demelza has gone through a lot more character growth during these two years, has become a valued member in the community, I wonder can she truly pick herself up after such devastation?

The historical detail of Cornish life in the 18th Century, plus breathtaking scenic descriptions that I can almost smell the salt in the air or feel the suffocating atmosphere of a tin or copper mine collapse, make this a favourite historical novel for me. Graham even touches on smuggling and wrecks and it would be interesting if he explores that more in subsequent books especially since it's the wealthy who profited, not the poor as shown by lack of foodstuffs being transported except for teas and spices to enhance gentry mealtimes.

Wonderful evocative and emotional writing with a diverse, but knowable, range of characters populating this small part of Cornwall. I need to read the next two books before watching Season Two of the BBC adaptation.