POLDARK BY WINSTON GRAHAM | BOOK REVIEW | DECEMBER 2017

POLDARK BY WINSTON GRAHAM | BOOK REVIEW | DECEMBER 2017 

It wasn't what I was expecting, that's what I'm going to start with. Poldark to me, is all about the TV series, but I know that the books are always better. What really astonished me with this novel was the great storytelling, how Graham really makes it a great mood with the mixture of characters and the plot. Themes of poor and rich, with Ross Poldark as the sympathetic protaganist between both parties. But then comes the theme of romance, the heartbreak for Ross when Elizabeth marries his cousin, and then he becomes fond of his kitchen maid, and the legendary romance unfolds.

If anyone likes a ancient setting with some Cornish dialect and accent entwined, with romance and a social context insight in to the world of the 18th century, this ones for you. The only thing that struck me was the age of Demelza when she is first brought in to the Poldark house at Nampara; just a child. But from the social and historical context of the time, it most probably was accurate, leaving more of a shocking feeling with those reading in more modern times. I suppose I'm being extra critical because essentially it is a romance novel, and also a tale of jealousy, disparities and inequality between the social classes, arguably it is also comparable to today's society, perhaps only to the aristocratic class. From watching the BBC series I think the main meaning behind the story is the character of Ross breaking all the so-called rules of upper class families and marrying a lower class girl. Also that Ross is involved with the 'lower class' rather than stereo-typically the upper class would stay away from them, and leave them to the work whilst they get the profit and a large amount of capital. The novel has a lot of interesting points and historical context to what society was like and the similarities between 1700's society and present day. I would recommend to all that enjoy a historical fiction, with a hint of romance (I mean who doesn't enjoy nice romance, as long as it isn't predictable and all over cringe). 

Happy Reading! 
Rose x