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A review by thefussyreader
Demelza: A Novel of Cornwall, 1788–1790 by Winston Graham
5.0
I forgot how much I enjoy these books. I read the first one last year and rated it five stars. Completely fell in love with it, and after reading the second book, it reminds me why I fell in love with it.
Setting
Revisiting this place and these characters feels almost like going on holiday to the 1700's and catching up with old friends, experiencing their day to day life. The writing really captures the atmosphere of not only the Georgian era, but Cornish life in general.
I've never been to Cornwall in real life, but it feels almost familiar to me when I read the Poldark novels. There's something peaceful and homely in it that draws me in and keeps me there.
Characters
There are so many characters in this book, and they all feel fleshed out and real. Rarely can so many characters feel like fully formed characters straight off the bat, but Winston Graham doesn't just have characters, he has a community. They all contribute to bringing the story to life, but I'll be here all night if I try to mention them all, so I'll just stick to two.
I love Ross and Demelza so much. They are such a power couple. They've been through so much together already but they stand by one another no matter how hard it may seem to go on.
Ross has always been the stern, brooding man's man kind of guy, but since marrying Demelza, his tender side shows more and more, little by little we see how much he loves her. The moments they share together are heart-warming and feel genuine, and his small shows of affection seem to count for so much more. I ship 'Romelza' so hard.
Demelza also shows some developments as she grows into becoming not only a wife, but a mother too. Though still quick to meddle, her intentions are pure and her heart is always in the right place. She has a sunny disposition and simply wants everyone to be happy. She's such a likable and positive character, and it's very easy to root for her.
Plot
The plot itself is almost hard to summarise, as it just feels like life. I couldn't say 'the book's about this, and that happens...' as the story itself isn't about any one singular event. It's just the lives of these people and how they face everything life throws at them. The normal everyday trials of a young married couple dealing with their first child, as well as family feuds, while trying to stay afloat with their bills. Every characters' actions have consequences on someone else, everyone is affected by everyone else in some way, which often starts chaotic chains of events for some. This is basically a catalogue of human nature, emotions, mistakes, and often situations that we ourselves might find relatable
Demelza has to learn to adapt to her new station, all the while worrying over what the gentry around her are saying, doubting herself, but never losing sight of her humble roots.
Ross is struggling to make ends meet with his mine, what with George Warleggan thwarting him at every turn. He not only worries about the well-being of his wife and child, but also the well-being of the people who work for and with him, trying to do right by everybody and thus doing right by none.
He is a determined but terribly stubborn man and won't accept financial help if it means selling his shares of the mine to George. But who can blame him, really? George is a total knob.
Writing Style
These books are so easy to read. I fall into them and they whizz by. This is a prime example of how to take writing styles usual considered a faux pas and make them so utterly work. The first being 'head hopping', the act of switching point of view mid-scene. Winston Graham is a total head hopper, but I don't think the story would have the same effect if it didn't. This particular style, in this particular context only adds to the pacing of the story, without the needless use of constant scene breaks in order to share a new character perspective. Thus the story flows fluidly.
The second is writing accents. This one isn't so bad, so long as it isn't over done. Graham over does it and wins tremendously as he does so. Hats off to man. Accents aren't something you often see in novels. If a character is Scottish, it's normally only mentioned and then the reader can then imagine a Scottish accent if they choose. Graham eliminates the choice and writes all his characters the exact way they speak. Ordinarily this might annoy me or slow down the story, but I honestly wouldn't have the story any other way. In this case, it only adds to the atmosphere and credibility of the setting, era, and social classes of the people.
Winston Graham, I commend thee.
Final Impression
I can't wait to dive into the next one. I'm trying to get up to date with the tv series (which I'm also loving) So I have the pleasure of reading at least another four of these before next Spring.
Setting
Revisiting this place and these characters feels almost like going on holiday to the 1700's and catching up with old friends, experiencing their day to day life. The writing really captures the atmosphere of not only the Georgian era, but Cornish life in general.
I've never been to Cornwall in real life, but it feels almost familiar to me when I read the Poldark novels. There's something peaceful and homely in it that draws me in and keeps me there.
Characters
There are so many characters in this book, and they all feel fleshed out and real. Rarely can so many characters feel like fully formed characters straight off the bat, but Winston Graham doesn't just have characters, he has a community. They all contribute to bringing the story to life, but I'll be here all night if I try to mention them all, so I'll just stick to two.
I love Ross and Demelza so much. They are such a power couple. They've been through so much together already but they stand by one another no matter how hard it may seem to go on.
Ross has always been the stern, brooding man's man kind of guy, but since marrying Demelza, his tender side shows more and more, little by little we see how much he loves her. The moments they share together are heart-warming and feel genuine, and his small shows of affection seem to count for so much more. I ship 'Romelza' so hard.
Demelza also shows some developments as she grows into becoming not only a wife, but a mother too. Though still quick to meddle, her intentions are pure and her heart is always in the right place. She has a sunny disposition and simply wants everyone to be happy. She's such a likable and positive character, and it's very easy to root for her.
Plot
The plot itself is almost hard to summarise, as it just feels like life. I couldn't say 'the book's about this, and that happens...' as the story itself isn't about any one singular event. It's just the lives of these people and how they face everything life throws at them. The normal everyday trials of a young married couple dealing with their first child, as well as family feuds, while trying to stay afloat with their bills. Every characters' actions have consequences on someone else, everyone is affected by everyone else in some way, which often starts chaotic chains of events for some. This is basically a catalogue of human nature, emotions, mistakes, and often situations that we ourselves might find relatable
Demelza has to learn to adapt to her new station, all the while worrying over what the gentry around her are saying, doubting herself, but never losing sight of her humble roots.
Ross is struggling to make ends meet with his mine, what with George Warleggan thwarting him at every turn. He not only worries about the well-being of his wife and child, but also the well-being of the people who work for and with him, trying to do right by everybody and thus doing right by none.
He is a determined but terribly stubborn man and won't accept financial help if it means selling his shares of the mine to George. But who can blame him, really? George is a total knob.
Writing Style
These books are so easy to read. I fall into them and they whizz by. This is a prime example of how to take writing styles usual considered a faux pas and make them so utterly work. The first being 'head hopping', the act of switching point of view mid-scene. Winston Graham is a total head hopper, but I don't think the story would have the same effect if it didn't. This particular style, in this particular context only adds to the pacing of the story, without the needless use of constant scene breaks in order to share a new character perspective. Thus the story flows fluidly.
The second is writing accents. This one isn't so bad, so long as it isn't over done. Graham over does it and wins tremendously as he does so. Hats off to man. Accents aren't something you often see in novels. If a character is Scottish, it's normally only mentioned and then the reader can then imagine a Scottish accent if they choose. Graham eliminates the choice and writes all his characters the exact way they speak. Ordinarily this might annoy me or slow down the story, but I honestly wouldn't have the story any other way. In this case, it only adds to the atmosphere and credibility of the setting, era, and social classes of the people.
Winston Graham, I commend thee.
Final Impression
I can't wait to dive into the next one. I'm trying to get up to date with the tv series (which I'm also loving) So I have the pleasure of reading at least another four of these before next Spring.