Scan barcode
A review by laurenjpegler
Ross Poldark by Winston Graham
4.0
I knew full well I'd love this book - the series is one of my favourite television programmes - but I didn't expect to enjoy it this much. If you're not familiar with the series, the first book is set from 1783-87 in Cornwall. It follows Ross Poldark has recently returned home from fighting in America. His joyful homecoming turned sour as he finds out his father is dead, his estate is derelict, and the girl he loves is engaged to his cousin. However, his sympathy for the destitute miners and farmers of the district lead him to rescue a half-starved girl from a brawl. He takes her home - an act which alters his life.
I really liked Graham's writing style - it flowed effortlessly, and I found that I was swept along with it. I didn't expect to read this so fast, but I managed to read it in roughly two days. It was just easy to read, and was extremely enjoyable too. I was unsure if it could compare to the TV show, and in some ways it doesn't, but I definitely think it's just as enjoyable. It will be a series that I carry on reading, all twelve of them.
I really liked how this book was more about setting up the series than anything else. The miners, which I know play a huge part later on in the series, was hardly mentioned. It was more about the resurrection of the old mines, and how Ross can help his own folk. Ross Poldark is more about relationships than anything else, and how class is fundamental to this (something that I really enjoy reading and researching about). His relationship with Elizabeth, and why this might not have worked out (was it to do with what Ross could have offered). His relationship with his cousin, Francis, and how they are of a different class - Ross is more landed gentry, and Francis is more of an aristocrat. And finally, his relationship with Demelza - a lower-class maid. There is a blurring and crossing of class boundaries, and it was fascinating to see how Graham wrote so sensitively about it (especially considering this was published in 1945!).
I would highly recommend!
I really liked Graham's writing style - it flowed effortlessly, and I found that I was swept along with it. I didn't expect to read this so fast, but I managed to read it in roughly two days. It was just easy to read, and was extremely enjoyable too. I was unsure if it could compare to the TV show, and in some ways it doesn't, but I definitely think it's just as enjoyable. It will be a series that I carry on reading, all twelve of them.
I really liked how this book was more about setting up the series than anything else. The miners, which I know play a huge part later on in the series, was hardly mentioned. It was more about the resurrection of the old mines, and how Ross can help his own folk. Ross Poldark is more about relationships than anything else, and how class is fundamental to this (something that I really enjoy reading and researching about). His relationship with Elizabeth, and why this might not have worked out (was it to do with what Ross could have offered). His relationship with his cousin, Francis, and how they are of a different class - Ross is more landed gentry, and Francis is more of an aristocrat. And finally, his relationship with Demelza - a lower-class maid. There is a blurring and crossing of class boundaries, and it was fascinating to see how Graham wrote so sensitively about it (especially considering this was published in 1945!).
I would highly recommend!