Ross Poldark / Demelza / Jeremy Poldark

by Winston Graham

As Seen on Masterpiece™ on PBS®: Books 1 - 3 of the Poldark series!

Ross Poldark
In the first novel in Winston Graham's hit series, a weary Ross Poldark returns to England from war, looking forward to a joyful homecoming with his beloved Elizabeth. But instead he discovers his father has died, his home is overrun by livestock and drunken servants, and Elizabeth—believing Ross to be dead—is now engaged to his cousin. Ross has no choice but to start his life anew.

Demelza
In the enchanting second novel in Winston Graham's beloved Poldark series, Demelza Carne, an impoverished miner's daughter Ross Poldark rescued from a fairground brawl, now happily finds herself his wife. But the events of these turbulent years test their marriage and their love.

Jeremy Poldark
Ross Poldark faces the darkest hour of his life in this third novel of the Poldark series. Reeling from the tragic death of a loved one, Captain Poldark vents his grief by inciting impoverished locals to salvage the contents of a ship run aground in a storm—an act for which British law proscribes death by hanging. Ross is brought to trial for his involvement, and despite their stormy marriage, Demelza tries to rally support for her husband, to save him and their family. And into this setting, Jeremy Poldark, Ross and Demelza's first son, is born...

The Poldark series is the masterwork of Winston Graham's life work, evoking the period and people like only he can and creating a work of rich and poor, loss and love, that you will not soon forget.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Romance, Romance

1257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Winston Graham was an English novelist best known for the Poldark series of historical novels set in Cornwall, though he also wrote contemporary thrillers, period novels, short stories, non-fiction, and plays. Born in Victoria Park, Manchester, he moved to Perranporth, Cornwall in 1925 and lived there for 34 years. Graham published his first novel, The House with the Stained Glass Windows, in 1934 and married Jean Williamson in 1939, who inspired the character Demelza in Poldark. During World War II, he joined the Auxiliary Coastguard Service. Graham became a member of the Society of Authors in 1945, serving as chairman from 1967 to 1969, and was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, receiving an OBE in 1983. His Poldark series began with Ross Poldark in 1945 and concluded with Bella Poldark in 2002. He wrote 30 additional novels, short stories, and non-fiction works, including the acclaimed thriller Marnie, adapted by Alfred Hitchcock in 1964. Several other novels, including The Walking Stick and Fortune Is a Woman, were adapted for film. Graham also wrote plays, some adapted from his novels. His works have been translated into 31 languages, and his autobiography, Memoirs of a Private Man, was published posthumously in 2003.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must be strictly old school, because I haven't enjoyed a work of fiction so much in a very long time. Yes, I was inspired to read this by the BBC Masterpiece drama based on the Poldark novels, and it didn't hurt to have Aidan Turner's hunky image in my head as I went along, but these books are much more than glorified bodice-rippers. They have it all: complex characters with distinct, unusual voices, glorious descriptions of setting that immerse the reader in time and place, moments of true comedy and irony, and drama, drama, drama that deals with universal themes of love, class, justice, and life's trade-offs. Great read for those who like their escape thoughtful.

[Carolyn R. Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read these books many years ago and then each following book as it became available until I had read the whole set. The books are beautifully written, the storylines fascinating and each finished book leaves you waiting for the next one. The TV series may encourage people to read the books which are far superior to the TV versions.

[Amanjot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable. The characters of the Poldark series are vividly brought to life in Graham's writing. Excellent period epic of 1700's Cornwall.

The vivid descriptions of the countryside are captivating. I love the way he has woven realities of mining in this era along with socioeconomic conditions of the villagers and mine workers.

The characters truly feel like real people that you are getting to know, it is wonderful.

I am excited to start the 4th book in the series!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the PBS series. They did the first book which prompted me to look into the series. The first Book is Ross Poldark. I am currently waiting for the second book Demelza. I do intend to read all the books in this series. I am enjoying the era. I truly like Demelza and Ross. There are eleven books in this series.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ross Poldark: 1783-1787 Book 1" chap.27
"...they watched the moon set. As it neared the water, it began to grow misshapen and discolored like an overripe blood orange squeezed between sea and sky."
"Ross Poldark: 1783-1787 Book 1" chap.37
"Someone--a Latin poet--had defined eternity as no more than this: to hold and possess the whole fullness of life in one moment, there and then, past and present and to come."

"Demelza: 1788-1790 Book 2"

"Jeremy Poldark: 1790-1791 Book 3" chap.27
"Youth was so mercilessly hard in its decisions; it had its own unyielding standards and had not yet learned enough to know that time would prove them arbitrary."

[Belinda Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loyalty, honor, and courage

I like the fact that loyalty, honor, and courage are upheld in this story. I thought it refreshing the way friendship and marriage are treated as good and desirable conditions.

The characters are well drawn, and the plot is interesting, and causes one to keep reading to see what will happen next.
♥️👀🎃👻🕷😈🦉💀🦇♥️

[KHMute · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poldark - wonderful novels

I am reading the novels after seeing the PBS Masterpiece series on television, which is the only reason why I am giving the novels only 3 stars. I simply liked the scripted story in the series better than the story as written in the novels. This, however, should not deter you from reading this wonderful collection. I will be continuing with the rest of the book series.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watched the TV series several years ago and then read the first Poldark book (Ross Poldark). Read Demelza and Jeremy Poldark this week. I’ve enjoyed all three but it does taint the enjoyment a little that I know a lot of the story already from the TV show. Also, it’s a bit soap-opera-like; however, I like the historical fiction and especially enjoy Demelza and her relationship with Ross.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the Pbs show and just had to know more of the story. Usually I have read something before "watching" it . This time it is reversed and I am happy to say the show stays very close to the book. I got the entire series .... its off to book 4

[Anne Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't seen the TV series or movies. I read these out of interest in Cornish history. I loved Books 1 and 2, but I found Book 3 to be a bit interminable. Fascinating sense of place and time, however.

[Ann Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent stories

I initially read these after having watched the series..i loved the different light put on the characters..and the more authentic feel of the times...

[Sally]

😍😍😍

[June Giffen Mathieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

This story has been translated into a wonderful series for television. Worth your time reading the book! Characters appear perfectly in the series!

[Angela Juneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! Had blow thru all 12 books....such a saga that I was sad when it was over.

[Robbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series.

[Marcia Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another listen while we drive series...made the time fly by! The book is better than the show...because there were not any sex scences!

[Jsga914 · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw Seasons 1-4 on Masterpiece

I knew I had to read all of the books. It is a marvelous study in human nature. Ross is a very real man of clarity of purpose yet ... he has some real faults and dicotamies.

[Thomas Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m usually not into this kind of work, but I loved these three books and the fourth one Warrleggan. Demelza is my favorite female character ever

[Omoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving story, a lovely read under the sheets just before bed time.

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love Cornwall you will love the Poldark Novels, but even if you've never been lucky enough to visit Cornwall then through Russ and Demelza you will fall in love with this beautiful County

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

an excellent series for those of us who like historical fiction with some romance thrown in. Set in 1700 & 1800 Cornwall

[Barbara Helen Plumb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series many years ago and on the strength of the new televised version I am re-reading them. They have stood the test of time well and i am enjoying just as much the second time round.

[Katie Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love a good historical romance novel. I really enjoyed this one.

[Nouna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Watched the series on pbs and found the book much deeper than the series. Can't wait to get to the next book Demelza.

[Therese]

$4.99

[Jamie Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put them down!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poldark

Novels for anyone who loves history and story woven together with words that capture the imagination. Ross and Demelza face the challenges of England’s changing face.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting the series as a new BBC series is about to be made.