A review by ddejong
Ross Poldark by Winston Graham

4.0

Having watched the whole Poldark TV series (the recent Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson version), the plot of this book was already well known to me but what a delightful, cozy read it was all the same. (One of the things that struck me in reading the book was just how spot on the casting was in the TV show.) The English mid-century romance is a genre I can get behind. Daphne du Maurier, another author I love, was writing her novels at the same time as Winston Graham— also predominantly taking place in Cornwall, a stunning, rugged landscape that has captivated me since my late teens when I first discovered du Maurier. Cornwall’s 18th century mining industry was unknown to me before encountering Poldark. In general, I’ve enjoyed getting a glimpse of English history during a period that I predominantly associate with the birth and independence of the United States. Ross and Demelza are a love story for the ages—as much as they can also both be completely infuriating and foolish. I look forward to slowly making my way through the full series of books in the years to come.