Winston Graham

Tired from a war in America, Ross Poldark returns to his land and his family. But the joyful homecoming he has anticipated turns sour, for his father is dead. But his sympathy for the destitute farmers of the district leads him to rescue an urchin girl and take her home -- an act which alters the whole course of his life.

a novel of Cornwall, 1783-1787

Ross Poldark

Beatrice Villa 

It was slow, but the writing style reminds me of many great classic novels that I have read in the past three years. It was deeply passionate and felt exactly like a calm rainy day.

I loved the tv series, so there was no doubt that I would be picking up this book series.

I will be picking up the rest of the series.

Sarah Campbell

What a great start to a series.

It was slow, but the writing style reminds me of many great classic novels that I have read in the past three years. It was deeply passionate and felt exactly like a calm rainy day.

I loved the tv series, so there was no doubt that I would be picking up this book series.

I will be picking up the rest of the series.

Returning from a grim war in America, Ross Poldark comes home to Cornwall and to his family. But the joyful homecoming he has anticipated turns sour, for his father is dead, his estate is derelict and the girl he loves has become engaged to his cousin. But his sympathy for the destitute miners and farmers of the district leads him to rescue a half-starved urchin girl from a fairground brawl and take her home - an act which changes the entire course of his life . . .Ross Poldark is the first novel in Winston Graham's sweeping saga of Cornish life in the eighteenth century. First published in 1945, the 'Poldark' series has twice been adapted for television and has enthralled readers for over seventy years. With an introduction by Liz Fenwick.

Annabella

A nice introduction, can't wait to get in the thick of the story though

Janice Hopper

This, friends, is how you start a multi-generational saga.

We meet Ross, home from the war in American, coming to deal with his father's neglected estate. His cousin Elizabeth, with whom he had an understanding, has decided to marry a DIFFERENT cousin. Various other people are unlucky in love. Ross rescues a waif at a fair, and carries her home to work in his kitchen, with no other intent. But, as these things sometimes go, they end up together.

It's quite a good story, though I always find attempts at writing dialect distracting. I'm really curious to know what happens next.

At this time of writing, I haven't seen the new PBS series. I may look it up a bit later.

Recommended.

Ross Poldark is a heartwarming, gripping, and utterly entertaining saga that brings to life an unforgettable cast of characters and one of the greatest love stories of our age.

A Novel of Cornwall 1783 - 1787

Kaley Catron

Guys. I just freaking love it. It’s so good. I will say I feel like this book ended slightly abruptly but I know there’s more coming so I’m not even mad! And boy I can’t wait to read more. 💕

Tired from a grim war in America, Ross Poldark returns to his land and his family. But the joyful homecoming he has anticipated turns sour, for his father is dead, his estate is derelict and the girl he loves is engaged to his cousin. But his sympathy for the destitute miners and farmers of the district leads him to rescue a half-starved urchin girl from a fairground brawl and take her home - an act which alters the whole course of his life . . . 'From the incomparable Winston Graham . . . who has everything that anyone else has, then a whole lot more' Guardian

A Novel of Cornwall, 1783-1787

Allison Francis

I finished it in one day! One of the best historical fiction I've read!

Kathleen Boyle

I enjoyed this so very much! It was nearly a five stars. The only thing making me not give it that is the fact that sometimes I felt like the story just moved a bit too quickly and I got a bit confused at how the events unfolded. That being said I find the characters to be so interesting and endearing. I really need to pick up the next book as soon as possible! The TV show seems to be a very good adaptation as well!

Heather Killeen

I was worried that there was no way I could love the book more than the show, and I'm pleasantly surprised to say although I think I still like the show more, the book was very enjoyable. It follows the show very well, and there are some beautifully descriptive parts that add a lot to this story. Also the voices for Judd and Prudy are spot on lol

Manon van Heumen

Tired from a grim war in America, Ross Poldark returns to his land and his family. But the joyful homecoming he has anticipated turns sour, for his father is dead, his estate is derelict and the girl he loves is engaged to his cousin.But his sympathy for the destitute miners and farmers of the district leads him to rescue a half-starved urchin girl from a fairground brawl and take her home - an act which alters the whole course of his life..."From the incomparable Winston Graham... who has everything that anyone else has, then a whole lot more" Guardian

A Novel of Cornwall 1783-1787

Kaylee Z

Sometimes a short synopsis is too little to fully encompass what a story is about. This book, however, has a synopsis that’s just about right. It’s short, limited information, a little bit of intrigue, but also not a lot happening. That’s a lot of what this book was for me. Not actually ‘short’ as it felt like a very long, drawn out read. It gave a bit of interest with a few hints of plot points that end up being relatively anti-climatic. And there certainly is not a lot happening even though it spans about 5 years.

This is not the type of story that draws me in. It is essentially just day to day life of a man and those around him. If there was amazing character work, that may have save it for me since the plot was severely lacking, but that was not the case. No real character growth occurred during the story and I don’t think Graham really tried to include it to be honest. The characters at the start are essentially the same at the end and not particularly affected by the events (using the term very loosely) that take place.

I have a whole reading vlog going over my qualms which you can see herehere but it comes down to poor execution, poor story, poor plotting, and some very misplaced romance. 

The only part of this story that I did enjoy was Ross’s character… for the most part. I liked his interactions with people and how he seemed like he had a good head on his shoulders with knowing when to speak up and when to shut up. When it comes to his relationship with Demelza though, everything is just wrong. I have read countless historical fiction so the idea of an older man and a younger woman is not a new concept and honestly not one I have had much issue with in the past as the women are written far more mature than their age usually sees. This was not the case with Demelza. First Ross meets her as a 13 year old child, he has her bathe and is there for it, then he proceeds to become a pseudo father figure and boss. Then when she is 17, they get together. Her mentality for her entire time with Ross is always the same - very childlike and uninformed. It honestly felt like a man taking advantage of a child and did not sit well with me in the slightest. I can’t see how this is a revered romantic pairing in literature. 

Along with the ‘romance’, the writing itself just was not a style that I enjoy. While I may eventually watch the show to see a comparison, I won’t be continuing with reading the series.

Ross Poldark a novel of Cornwall, 1783-1787

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