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The Poldark Saga #2
Demelza
Demelza Carne, the impoverished miner's daughter Ross Poldark rescued from a fairground rabble, is now his wife. But the events of these turbulent years test their marriage and their love.
Demelza's efforts to adapt to the ways of the gentry - and her husband - bring her confusion and heartache, despite the joy in the birth of their first child. Ross begins a bitter struggle for the rights of the mining communities - and sows the seed of an enduring enmity with powerful George Warleggan.
Demelza's efforts to adapt to the ways of the gentry - and her husband - bring her confusion and heartache, despite the joy in the birth of their first child. Ross begins a bitter struggle for the rights of the mining communities - and sows the seed of an enduring enmity with powerful George Warleggan.
521 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1946
About the author
Winston Graham
154 books1,193 followersWinston 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,370 reviews
February 5, 2018
I will always be Team Demelza
***A Bit Of Spoilery Below**
And wee little Julia was born to Demelza and Ross ♥
I love these characters so much. Well, not the evil ones but I have to admit they are played wonderfully in their own right.
I am team Demelza all the way. I don't like Elizabeth and I feel for Demelza that she has to feel second best. And I course, I know what's going to happen down the line so don't even get me started.
Demelza is selfless. She does for others that she otherwise doesn't care for. She takes care of the sick and does her best to make sure no one dies.
I also love how she fights for Verity and Captain Blamey's love. She knew it was right even when everyone else were being jerks.
But there is a tragedy that strikes and it's so damn heartbreaking.
I look forward to the rest of the series in the books and the show.
Happy Reading!
Mel ♥
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
AMAZON: REVIEW
At the back of his mind, Ross was aware of the sound of wind rushing about in the distance. Once, when he glanced out of the bedroom window, his eyes confirmed that the swell had, in fact, quite broken up and the sea was stippled with white-lipped waves, which crossed and recrossed each other in confusion, running heedlessly, colliding, and breaking up into wisps of futile spray. The wind was as yet only gusty on the land, but here and there eddies rushed over the water, little winds, vicious and lost.
***A Bit Of Spoilery Below**
And wee little Julia was born to Demelza and Ross ♥
I love these characters so much. Well, not the evil ones but I have to admit they are played wonderfully in their own right.
I am team Demelza all the way. I don't like Elizabeth and I feel for Demelza that she has to feel second best. And I course, I know what's going to happen down the line so don't even get me started.
Demelza is selfless. She does for others that she otherwise doesn't care for. She takes care of the sick and does her best to make sure no one dies.
I also love how she fights for Verity and Captain Blamey's love. She knew it was right even when everyone else were being jerks.
But there is a tragedy that strikes and it's so damn heartbreaking.
I look forward to the rest of the series in the books and the show.
Happy Reading!
Mel ♥
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
AMAZON: REVIEW
November 3, 2016
This book is featured on Shabby Sunday @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
This is one of my favorites out of all the Poldark books. In this installment, Ross Poldark and Demelza are now happily married and giving birth to their first child, Julia. She struggles with the marriage because there are great challenges including Elizabeth’s shadow over Ross. Even though Elizabeth is married to Francis, she will never forget that Ross once loved her and she’s determined to create the best marriage and life possible with him, to win his true love. Demelza’s character matures and grows as she becomes more confident in society and she proves herself to Ross and everyone else equally.
Much happens in this installment with the birth of Julia and also Demelza’s persistence with getting Verity coupled with Captain Blamey. She knows that Verity deserves to have a life of love–like everyone else–even if it’s against the family’s wishes. Ross spends much time away from home and deals with his business ventures. The drama between the Warleggans’ and the Poldarks’ ensues…
“George stared across the street. ‘There is only one trouble with the Poldarks,’ he said after a moment. ‘They cannot take a beating.’
‘And only one trouble with the Warleggans,’ said Ross. ‘They never know when they are not wanted.’
George’s color deepened. ‘But they can appreciate and remember an insult.’
‘Well, I trust you will remember this one.’ Ross turned his back and went down the steps into the tavern.”
I love all the primary and secondary characters in this series! They’re well developed and all the books are full of scenes that keep you reading until the last page. I love the world Winston Graham created and all the drama to go with it including the love, jealously, murder, crime, death, grief, and hate. There’s so much going on here and in just one novel.
I admire my edition of Demelza because it was published during my year of birth and I think the cover is very interesting. Even though I don’t like small paperbacks that much, I made an exception with this one because it matches my set. The pages are faded a bit, but it’s in fairly decent shape for its age at forty years.
5*****
This is one of my favorites out of all the Poldark books. In this installment, Ross Poldark and Demelza are now happily married and giving birth to their first child, Julia. She struggles with the marriage because there are great challenges including Elizabeth’s shadow over Ross. Even though Elizabeth is married to Francis, she will never forget that Ross once loved her and she’s determined to create the best marriage and life possible with him, to win his true love. Demelza’s character matures and grows as she becomes more confident in society and she proves herself to Ross and everyone else equally.
Much happens in this installment with the birth of Julia and also Demelza’s persistence with getting Verity coupled with Captain Blamey. She knows that Verity deserves to have a life of love–like everyone else–even if it’s against the family’s wishes. Ross spends much time away from home and deals with his business ventures. The drama between the Warleggans’ and the Poldarks’ ensues…
“George stared across the street. ‘There is only one trouble with the Poldarks,’ he said after a moment. ‘They cannot take a beating.’
‘And only one trouble with the Warleggans,’ said Ross. ‘They never know when they are not wanted.’
George’s color deepened. ‘But they can appreciate and remember an insult.’
‘Well, I trust you will remember this one.’ Ross turned his back and went down the steps into the tavern.”
I love all the primary and secondary characters in this series! They’re well developed and all the books are full of scenes that keep you reading until the last page. I love the world Winston Graham created and all the drama to go with it including the love, jealously, murder, crime, death, grief, and hate. There’s so much going on here and in just one novel.
I admire my edition of Demelza because it was published during my year of birth and I think the cover is very interesting. Even though I don’t like small paperbacks that much, I made an exception with this one because it matches my set. The pages are faded a bit, but it’s in fairly decent shape for its age at forty years.
5*****
February 8, 2019
In this second novel of the Poldark family saga from the late 1780’s in Cornwall, Ross makes an off-hand comment about a couple of possible ways to break the monopoly of the companies bidding for copper and keeping the prices at less than poverty level. As a result, he ends up spending the better part of two years organizing the efforts of several gentlemen who have realized it is a case of do - or close down their mines.
Demelza, meanwhile, conspires on Verity’s behalf to do something about her single state. Demelza loves and admires Verity (Ross’ cousin) and doesn’t feel it is fair for her to give her life over to looking after her brother Francis, his wife Elizabeth, and their son and elderly great-aunt.
Unfortunately, it is Demelza’s plans coming to fruition that nearly de-rail Ross’ plans for the mines. It is also her charitableness and kindness that indirectly cause a scarring tragedy in their lives.
Two scenes from this novel, in particular, highlighted for me the amazing talent of Winston Graham’s writing. In my review of the first book (Ross Poldark), I mentioned that the novel was written in 1945. There was a gap of 8 years and then the next three novels were all published in 1953. If we watch movies from that vintage, very few have the directorial strength (for me) of the two scenes that caught my imagination in this novel.
The first is at a ball. There is dancing, drinking, gambling in a side room, and socializing – including gossip and flirtations. This entire evening of the ball played like a movie in my mind – swirling through the ballroom and adjacent rooms in a series of cut-scenes where snippets of action and talk give way to other sequences. All these separate scenes are spliced together with perfect timing and gave me the feeling of being a camera moving from one group of people to the next and on to the next. These scenes are fast-moving, and one of the most interesting aspects is that all of the sights and sounds – all of the conversations and interactions – all are relevant information for later on. By the time everyone was leaving the ball, I felt like I had been caught up in a whirlwind world of intrigues, tensions, and the always present masking of motivations that people affected.
The second is on a cold winter’s night when two ships are wrecked in the bay near where the Poldarks live. When a ship is wrecked on the coast, village people arrive en masse to scavenge for whatever they can. By the time the locals had picked the bones of the first ship clean, a second ship was foundering and over one thousand desperate and starving people (mostly miners) from two neighbouring villages joined in. Old rivalries added to the revelries and not even a squadron of officials could stem the tide of pillaging and drunkenness and fighting.
Once again, I loved reading about this family, their concerns, and their surroundings. And already I am looking forward to reading the third book next month.
Demelza, meanwhile, conspires on Verity’s behalf to do something about her single state. Demelza loves and admires Verity (Ross’ cousin) and doesn’t feel it is fair for her to give her life over to looking after her brother Francis, his wife Elizabeth, and their son and elderly great-aunt.
Unfortunately, it is Demelza’s plans coming to fruition that nearly de-rail Ross’ plans for the mines. It is also her charitableness and kindness that indirectly cause a scarring tragedy in their lives.
Two scenes from this novel, in particular, highlighted for me the amazing talent of Winston Graham’s writing. In my review of the first book (Ross Poldark), I mentioned that the novel was written in 1945. There was a gap of 8 years and then the next three novels were all published in 1953. If we watch movies from that vintage, very few have the directorial strength (for me) of the two scenes that caught my imagination in this novel.
The first is at a ball. There is dancing, drinking, gambling in a side room, and socializing – including gossip and flirtations. This entire evening of the ball played like a movie in my mind – swirling through the ballroom and adjacent rooms in a series of cut-scenes where snippets of action and talk give way to other sequences. All these separate scenes are spliced together with perfect timing and gave me the feeling of being a camera moving from one group of people to the next and on to the next. These scenes are fast-moving, and one of the most interesting aspects is that all of the sights and sounds – all of the conversations and interactions – all are relevant information for later on. By the time everyone was leaving the ball, I felt like I had been caught up in a whirlwind world of intrigues, tensions, and the always present masking of motivations that people affected.
The second is on a cold winter’s night when two ships are wrecked in the bay near where the Poldarks live. When a ship is wrecked on the coast, village people arrive en masse to scavenge for whatever they can. By the time the locals had picked the bones of the first ship clean, a second ship was foundering and over one thousand desperate and starving people (mostly miners) from two neighbouring villages joined in. Old rivalries added to the revelries and not even a squadron of officials could stem the tide of pillaging and drunkenness and fighting.
Once again, I loved reading about this family, their concerns, and their surroundings. And already I am looking forward to reading the third book next month.
July 27, 2017
"Loyalty is not a thing to be bought: it is freely given or withheld."
5 radiant stars! I thought I could perhaps get hooked on the Poldark series, but Demelza, the second book in the series, really sealed the deal for me! There is absolutely no turning back now – I am thoroughly invested in the lives of these complex characters. Winston Graham breathes so much life into each and every one that you feel as if you’ve already known these folks for a long time. You live with them, you love them, you feel anger towards them, you sympathize with them, you hope for them, and you ache with them.
The backdrop of late eighteenth century Cornwall is as stunning as I have come to expect, not only from this series but from other English novelists as well. You really get a sense of time and place with these books. Some readers may turn away from this series, with the mistaken belief that the genre is merely romance. Perhaps the modern covers that depict the man and woman from the television series throw you off a bit. Perhaps the fact that many fans nearly slobber over Aidan Turner, leading man in the dramatization, convinces you of this erroneous conclusion. (Okay, many of us, including yours truly, are guilty on that count!) However, what this series really amounts to is excellent historical fiction (with only a splash of romance). The characters in this book are burdened by real struggles, and a great degree of social unrest exists during this time. In parallel with the social and political upheavals in France existing at this time, the people of Cornwall are beginning to question authority. They want job stability, food on the table, and begin to dispute the justice of class distinctions. Graham writes so masterfully that the descriptions of the countryside itself presage turmoil on the horizon.
"For hours a blight had stalked across it. So much salt was in the terrible wind that nothing escaped. The young green leaves of the trees turned black and withered, and when a breeze moved them they rattled like dry biscuits. Even the dandelions and the nettles went black. The hay was damaged and the potato crop, and the young peas and beans shriveled and died. The rose-buds never opened, and the stream was choked with the debris of a murdered spring."
In this installment, we discern characters making choices, many of them quite difficult. Loyalties are manifested, while others are tested. Just like real life, decisions are not always straightforward. Doing the right thing for one, may cause mischief with another. We are left with some cliffhangers that compel you to grab the next in the series – which is fine for me as I have already dived into book three; this being a shift for me as I rarely read series books back to back. Undoubtedly, Demelza is the one that shines in this particular novel. We see her growth as a young woman, her budding allure which she will learn to use not just for her own advantage but for that of others as well. "Demelza was beginning to feel like a lion tamer who has been putting his pets through their paces and finds them getting out of hand." I adore her – a splendid leading woman who does not forget her roots.
I highly recommend this series to anyone that enjoys engaging historical fiction with superior character development. You really must read the series in order, as the story is quite linear in time. As for the PBS series – yes, I have watched but not in real time. I am making sure to read first, and then watch only as much as I can without revealing any spoilers before proceeding. Watching it makes for a completely gratifying experience!
5 radiant stars! I thought I could perhaps get hooked on the Poldark series, but Demelza, the second book in the series, really sealed the deal for me! There is absolutely no turning back now – I am thoroughly invested in the lives of these complex characters. Winston Graham breathes so much life into each and every one that you feel as if you’ve already known these folks for a long time. You live with them, you love them, you feel anger towards them, you sympathize with them, you hope for them, and you ache with them.
The backdrop of late eighteenth century Cornwall is as stunning as I have come to expect, not only from this series but from other English novelists as well. You really get a sense of time and place with these books. Some readers may turn away from this series, with the mistaken belief that the genre is merely romance. Perhaps the modern covers that depict the man and woman from the television series throw you off a bit. Perhaps the fact that many fans nearly slobber over Aidan Turner, leading man in the dramatization, convinces you of this erroneous conclusion. (Okay, many of us, including yours truly, are guilty on that count!) However, what this series really amounts to is excellent historical fiction (with only a splash of romance). The characters in this book are burdened by real struggles, and a great degree of social unrest exists during this time. In parallel with the social and political upheavals in France existing at this time, the people of Cornwall are beginning to question authority. They want job stability, food on the table, and begin to dispute the justice of class distinctions. Graham writes so masterfully that the descriptions of the countryside itself presage turmoil on the horizon.
"For hours a blight had stalked across it. So much salt was in the terrible wind that nothing escaped. The young green leaves of the trees turned black and withered, and when a breeze moved them they rattled like dry biscuits. Even the dandelions and the nettles went black. The hay was damaged and the potato crop, and the young peas and beans shriveled and died. The rose-buds never opened, and the stream was choked with the debris of a murdered spring."
In this installment, we discern characters making choices, many of them quite difficult. Loyalties are manifested, while others are tested. Just like real life, decisions are not always straightforward. Doing the right thing for one, may cause mischief with another. We are left with some cliffhangers that compel you to grab the next in the series – which is fine for me as I have already dived into book three; this being a shift for me as I rarely read series books back to back. Undoubtedly, Demelza is the one that shines in this particular novel. We see her growth as a young woman, her budding allure which she will learn to use not just for her own advantage but for that of others as well. "Demelza was beginning to feel like a lion tamer who has been putting his pets through their paces and finds them getting out of hand." I adore her – a splendid leading woman who does not forget her roots.
I highly recommend this series to anyone that enjoys engaging historical fiction with superior character development. You really must read the series in order, as the story is quite linear in time. As for the PBS series – yes, I have watched but not in real time. I am making sure to read first, and then watch only as much as I can without revealing any spoilers before proceeding. Watching it makes for a completely gratifying experience!
April 28, 2015
The BBC's new version of Poldark ended this weekend with heartbreak and a literal cliff-hanger. Over the past eight episodes (which covered the first two books) I fell head over heels in love with Ross and Demelza, played by the ridiculously handsome Aidan Turner and the beautiful Eleanor Tomlinson. They had so much chemistry, conveying so much emotion, passion and confliction, and they turned me into a swooning pile of mush!
After it finished, I wanted to immediately read the third book in the series to find out what happens next, but knew it made more sense to go back and read the first two, which I now have. I hate to say it but I much prefer the TV version to the books. The Ross and Demelza in the books just don't have the same spark, the same tingle as they do on TV. True, in Ross Poldark they shared some beautifully tender moments during their fledgling romance, but I didn't feel it as much in Demelza. Had I just read the books, I'd have gently enjoyed them but wouldn't be the slightly obsessed fangirl I am now because of the adaptation, and for that I'm really disappointed.
As with all adaptations there are some tweaks to be had, but it mostly stayed true to Winston Graham's writing. The one big change though was towards the end when on TV there was a visitor to a sickbed, and Ross's response to it had me all but punching the air in delight; his words were exactly what I'd be wanting to hear and I couldn't wait to re-live that scene in the book, but it wasn't there, it was made up by the adaptation. Even though it obviously wasn't Graham's fault, I somehow felt cheated. Not fair of me I know, but the way I feel.
I'm now in a dilemma. I really want to know how the story progresses, but do I wait for the second TV series next year with my Ross and Demelza, or do I carry on with the books that don't hold the same magic? Hmmm....
After it finished, I wanted to immediately read the third book in the series to find out what happens next, but knew it made more sense to go back and read the first two, which I now have. I hate to say it but I much prefer the TV version to the books. The Ross and Demelza in the books just don't have the same spark, the same tingle as they do on TV. True, in Ross Poldark they shared some beautifully tender moments during their fledgling romance, but I didn't feel it as much in Demelza. Had I just read the books, I'd have gently enjoyed them but wouldn't be the slightly obsessed fangirl I am now because of the adaptation, and for that I'm really disappointed.
As with all adaptations there are some tweaks to be had, but it mostly stayed true to Winston Graham's writing. The one big change though was towards the end when on TV there was a visitor to a sickbed, and Ross's response to it had me all but punching the air in delight; his words were exactly what I'd be wanting to hear and I couldn't wait to re-live that scene in the book, but it wasn't there, it was made up by the adaptation. Even though it obviously wasn't Graham's fault, I somehow felt cheated. Not fair of me I know, but the way I feel.
I'm now in a dilemma. I really want to know how the story progresses, but do I wait for the second TV series next year with my Ross and Demelza, or do I carry on with the books that don't hold the same magic? Hmmm....
June 10, 2024
Well, it might have taken two books rather than one to make it happen, but I'm now completely in love with Ross and Demelza.
This series is just wonderful!
This series is just wonderful!
April 9, 2026
I appreciated this second installment of the series more than the original offering of ROSS POLDARK.
It’s fitting that this one, POLDARK #2, is named for Ross’s wife, Demelza. She is a 13-year-old child no more (thank God), and it appears that her husband won’t be “hitting her neither,” a very real concern of the day (and, in some households, one that continues to this day).
Any man who’d hit me, “regular like,” would end up dead, most likely from the back of a cast iron skillet and my forearm, and I suspect that Demelza would dole out the same fate to her leading man.
She gives back what she’s given, and she’s incredibly fair. If Demelza ever killed anyone with a cast iron skillet, they’d deserve it.
Demelza Poldark comes to life in this novel, and she’s almost an aberration for the time period of 1946, in which she was created. I can’t help but marvel now at the author, Winston Graham. He was not only incredibly prolific; he saw women as they are: clever, beautiful, complex, troublesome, dynamic, anxious, confident, intelligent, unsure. Mr. Graham understood, even in the 1940s, that women are as difficult to summarize as their male counterparts.
This is a fantastic historical fiction about the complexity of marriage, how often we lie in bed, after some heated marital debate, feeling “insecure and much in the dark.”
Oh, and just a little 18th century trivia. . . that hat that Ross Poldark wears is known, these days, as a “tricorn, tricorne or tri-cornered hat,” but in the 1780s was more likely referred to as a “cocked hat.”
Any chance we could bring it back??
It’s fitting that this one, POLDARK #2, is named for Ross’s wife, Demelza. She is a 13-year-old child no more (thank God), and it appears that her husband won’t be “hitting her neither,” a very real concern of the day (and, in some households, one that continues to this day).
Any man who’d hit me, “regular like,” would end up dead, most likely from the back of a cast iron skillet and my forearm, and I suspect that Demelza would dole out the same fate to her leading man.
She gives back what she’s given, and she’s incredibly fair. If Demelza ever killed anyone with a cast iron skillet, they’d deserve it.
Demelza Poldark comes to life in this novel, and she’s almost an aberration for the time period of 1946, in which she was created. I can’t help but marvel now at the author, Winston Graham. He was not only incredibly prolific; he saw women as they are: clever, beautiful, complex, troublesome, dynamic, anxious, confident, intelligent, unsure. Mr. Graham understood, even in the 1940s, that women are as difficult to summarize as their male counterparts.
This is a fantastic historical fiction about the complexity of marriage, how often we lie in bed, after some heated marital debate, feeling “insecure and much in the dark.”
Oh, and just a little 18th century trivia. . . that hat that Ross Poldark wears is known, these days, as a “tricorn, tricorne or tri-cornered hat,” but in the 1780s was more likely referred to as a “cocked hat.”
Any chance we could bring it back??
September 3, 2016
Ross sighed. "You have married into a peculiar family. You must never expect the Poldarks to behave in the most rational manner. I have long since given up expecting it. We are hasty -- quite incredibly hasty, it seems -- and sharp-tempered, strong in our likes and dislikes and unreasonable in them."
Demelza is the second book in the Poldark Series by Winston Graham. This story builds beautifully upon the first book in the series. Ross Poldark, returning to the ruins of his beloved family estate of Nampara, marries the daughter of an impoverished miner. Ross is forever searching for peace and stability in a very unstable world in Cornwall.
Demelza is a free spirit who continues to see beauty before her in spite of the beatings and ill-treatment she received at the hands of her own family. Ross appears to have married Demelza more out of duty than out of love. He pines away for the loss of his delicate Elizabeth who has married his cousin, Francis. Will Demelza ever be able to enter into the depths of this very dark and unwelcoming heart?
Believe me, I am not drawn to romance novels. Period. The Poldark Series is far, far more than that.
It is solid historical fiction that depicts several generations of people suffering from the receiving end of decisions made at their own hands and by the hands of others. Ruthless, careless, demeaning decisions that visit upon doorsteps and take residence there. Even good intentions carry an impact unforeseen.
Demelza, herself, leads often with her heart. "Extravagant and contrary in all things, he thought. Her loyalties, her griefs. She betrays me, deceives me without a flicker. Am I to blame her, who knows so much about conflicting and divided loyalties? The enormity of it bringing perhaps failure and ruin."
I have embraced the Poldark Series with open arms as well as the PBS Series based on the Winston Graham books. Even if you are not usually pulled into the genre of historical fiction, I believe you will find this series satisfying. Graham has laid bare the interactions of male/female, upper class/lower class, rich/poor, honest/deceitful, mixed with the inner workings of humanity at its best and at its worst. Somehow time changes nothing........
Demelza is the second book in the Poldark Series by Winston Graham. This story builds beautifully upon the first book in the series. Ross Poldark, returning to the ruins of his beloved family estate of Nampara, marries the daughter of an impoverished miner. Ross is forever searching for peace and stability in a very unstable world in Cornwall.
Demelza is a free spirit who continues to see beauty before her in spite of the beatings and ill-treatment she received at the hands of her own family. Ross appears to have married Demelza more out of duty than out of love. He pines away for the loss of his delicate Elizabeth who has married his cousin, Francis. Will Demelza ever be able to enter into the depths of this very dark and unwelcoming heart?
Believe me, I am not drawn to romance novels. Period. The Poldark Series is far, far more than that.
It is solid historical fiction that depicts several generations of people suffering from the receiving end of decisions made at their own hands and by the hands of others. Ruthless, careless, demeaning decisions that visit upon doorsteps and take residence there. Even good intentions carry an impact unforeseen.
Demelza, herself, leads often with her heart. "Extravagant and contrary in all things, he thought. Her loyalties, her griefs. She betrays me, deceives me without a flicker. Am I to blame her, who knows so much about conflicting and divided loyalties? The enormity of it bringing perhaps failure and ruin."
I have embraced the Poldark Series with open arms as well as the PBS Series based on the Winston Graham books. Even if you are not usually pulled into the genre of historical fiction, I believe you will find this series satisfying. Graham has laid bare the interactions of male/female, upper class/lower class, rich/poor, honest/deceitful, mixed with the inner workings of humanity at its best and at its worst. Somehow time changes nothing........
February 3, 2016
5 STARS
I am completely engrossed in this series now. This is the second book in the Poldark series which was first published back in the 1940's. I was encouraged to read the books after first watching the recently released television series on BBC.
The series centers around the life of Ross Poldark, who is a dark and broody character, arrogant and strong, yet often overly compassionate in his nature. It is the late 1780's and he has returned from war to his home in Cornwall, England, only to find that his father has died and left him nearly destitute, and the girl he was promised to marry has become engaged to his cousin, Francis.
In this book some years have passed since his return, and the young Demelza Carne, who he had hired as a kitchen wench at the age of thirteen has now grown up, and has started to catch his eye. She is not beautiful in the same elegant way of his Elizabeth, but there is something in her manner that is utterly irresistible, and just the salve for his dying heart.
I love Demelza's character. There is something of the ragged mutt in her, yet her nature simply exudes the joy of life. She invokes happiness in everything she does and everyone she meets. Even those who are set to despise her find it nearly impossible to do so. And she is strong, in the way of getting by, but at the same time she is humble and timid, almost demanding to be treasured like a child demands to be cared for. And it seems she has become just what Ross needs to soothe his tortured soul.
I highly recommend these books to anyone who loves a good historical drama/romance. These characters are timeless and meaty. Brilliantly written. The only draw back I can see here is the length of the series. Alas there are 12 books in the series and I have ten yet to go. But at this moment, I look forward to each and every one.
I am completely engrossed in this series now. This is the second book in the Poldark series which was first published back in the 1940's. I was encouraged to read the books after first watching the recently released television series on BBC.
The series centers around the life of Ross Poldark, who is a dark and broody character, arrogant and strong, yet often overly compassionate in his nature. It is the late 1780's and he has returned from war to his home in Cornwall, England, only to find that his father has died and left him nearly destitute, and the girl he was promised to marry has become engaged to his cousin, Francis.
In this book some years have passed since his return, and the young Demelza Carne, who he had hired as a kitchen wench at the age of thirteen has now grown up, and has started to catch his eye. She is not beautiful in the same elegant way of his Elizabeth, but there is something in her manner that is utterly irresistible, and just the salve for his dying heart.
I love Demelza's character. There is something of the ragged mutt in her, yet her nature simply exudes the joy of life. She invokes happiness in everything she does and everyone she meets. Even those who are set to despise her find it nearly impossible to do so. And she is strong, in the way of getting by, but at the same time she is humble and timid, almost demanding to be treasured like a child demands to be cared for. And it seems she has become just what Ross needs to soothe his tortured soul.
I highly recommend these books to anyone who loves a good historical drama/romance. These characters are timeless and meaty. Brilliantly written. The only draw back I can see here is the length of the series. Alas there are 12 books in the series and I have ten yet to go. But at this moment, I look forward to each and every one.
February 7, 2019
I’m really enjoying the latest BBC adaptation of the Poldark saga, so of course I had to read the books!
What I find really interesting is for a normal page to screen adaptation, it follows a book per series format.
But with this show they’d opted for a two novels per season.
That’s a 500+ page novel condensed to just 4 episodes!
The reason why these books are so popular is due to the strength of both the characters and the setting they find themselves in.
Cornwall is really vividly brought to life, in a way it’s a character in itself.
As the title suggests there’s more of a focus on Demelza, the miners daughter now wife to Ross and mother to Julia as she struggles to adapt to a different way of life. There’s some great character development as she matured throughout this instalment.
Unlike the previous volume, this entry just spans 3 years (1788-90) and the gradual growth is more apparent.
I like how the class system is so integral to the series, whilst the day to day life of the late eighteenth century including working conditions and infectious diseases can be deadly.
This makes for one great series!
What I find really interesting is for a normal page to screen adaptation, it follows a book per series format.
But with this show they’d opted for a two novels per season.
That’s a 500+ page novel condensed to just 4 episodes!
The reason why these books are so popular is due to the strength of both the characters and the setting they find themselves in.
Cornwall is really vividly brought to life, in a way it’s a character in itself.
As the title suggests there’s more of a focus on Demelza, the miners daughter now wife to Ross and mother to Julia as she struggles to adapt to a different way of life. There’s some great character development as she matured throughout this instalment.
Unlike the previous volume, this entry just spans 3 years (1788-90) and the gradual growth is more apparent.
I like how the class system is so integral to the series, whilst the day to day life of the late eighteenth century including working conditions and infectious diseases can be deadly.
This makes for one great series!
January 9, 2022
This is my first completed book of 2022, & it could well be my best fiction read of the year -I loved it that much!
This book continues Ross & Demelza's journey, & while I don't think the beginning was a strong as Ross Poldark, from around the 40% mark it becomes a very powerful book. While Ross is a very complex character, Demelza is simple in the best possible meaning of the word - when something feels right to her that is what she does - then, thinks about the consequences later.
But all the characters, whatever their way of life, are well realised & easy for me to remember.
Graham writes beautifully;
Of course this being Ross, there are hidden layers...
I won't be able to wait too long to continue this saga. &, in a piece of rare good fortune, I went to an op (charity) shop looking for the next two books (Jeremy Poldark & Warleggan) - & there they were.
Should have bought a Lotto ticket!
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
This book continues Ross & Demelza's journey, & while I don't think the beginning was a strong as Ross Poldark, from around the 40% mark it becomes a very powerful book. While Ross is a very complex character, Demelza is simple in the best possible meaning of the word - when something feels right to her that is what she does - then, thinks about the consequences later.
But all the characters, whatever their way of life, are well realised & easy for me to remember.
Graham writes beautifully;
He was not a man who spoke his innermost feelings easily, but now he saw himself powerless to help her, and only words of his and not actions would give her aid. 'Nothing else matters but you,' he said. 'Remember that. All my relatives and friends - and Elizabeth, and this house and the mine... I'd throw them in the dust and you know it - you know it. If you don't know it, then all these months I've failed and no words I can give you now will make it otherwise. I love you, Demelza and we've had such happiness. And we're going to have it again. Take hold of that, my sweet. Hold it and keep it, for no one else can.'
Of course this being Ross, there are hidden layers...
I won't be able to wait too long to continue this saga. &, in a piece of rare good fortune, I went to an op (charity) shop looking for the next two books (Jeremy Poldark & Warleggan) - & there they were.
Should have bought a Lotto ticket!
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
February 20, 2022
Demelza had known that when Julia grew up she would be proud of her father; it had not occurred to her that she might also be proud of her mother. A splendid thought, shining like that sun on the sea. She would do all she could. Learn to be a lady, learn to grow old with grace and charm. She was only young yet, so there was still a chance to learn.
Book 2 of the beloved Poldark series begins exactly where Book 1 ends and centers upon Demelza, Ross’s wife and mother of his daughter, Julia. Julia is born at the beginning and Demelza decides to host two christening parties, one for the gentry and another for the country folk. When her miner father turned religious zealot shows up at the wrong party, Demelza is embarrassed by the insults toward her guests. Demelza says to Ross, …I thought I would show ‘em I was a fit wife for you, that I could wear fine clothes and behave genteel an’ not disgrace you. An’ instead they will all ride home snickering behind their hands…
From the start, we are aware of the struggle that Demelza will face, to be accepted as Ross’s wife. She provides this story with its emotional heartstrings and we immediately empathize with her and begin to wish her success. She has such a kind and good heart and wishes to appease a sticky situation between Ross and his cousin Frances. She intervenes in reuniting cousin Verity with the man who wasn’t accepted by her brother Frances and cousin Ross. Demelza is intent on Verity’s happiness but keeps her involvement from Ross. Her loyalty to the Poldark family is seen when a crisis occurs in which she may be at risk by helping out.
Ross, a man of action and decency, has his own share of problems with the domination of the copper smelting companies that are keeping prices unnaturally low. Ross’s investors in the new Carnmore Copper Company are buying up the copper and smelting it themselves for the benefit of the miners. His largest struggle is trying to keep the wicked Warleggan family out of his new venture. This begins a rivalry between two families that proves to be vehement.
I have already become invested in the people that I have met in Cornwall. I know them and want the best for them. New characters are introduced, such as Dr. Dwight Enys, who provide extraneous storylines to the overall plot. The fact that we are involved in the lives of the people surrounding Ross and Demelza makes this a highly appealing story to read. You want to know what happens and why to their servants, tenants, relatives and neighbors. I love the vast sphere of social interactions that are represented by this era - late 18th century. Ross and Demelza pursue their individual interests that help define and solidify their character and personalities. But the love story is still at the center and we get to experience the ups and downs of all of these connected characters.
Whatever she suffered, whatever loss came to her, she would throw it off, for it was not in her nature to go under. Although she was the woman and he a fierce and sometimes arrogant man, hers was the stronger nature because the pliant.
Book 2 of the beloved Poldark series begins exactly where Book 1 ends and centers upon Demelza, Ross’s wife and mother of his daughter, Julia. Julia is born at the beginning and Demelza decides to host two christening parties, one for the gentry and another for the country folk. When her miner father turned religious zealot shows up at the wrong party, Demelza is embarrassed by the insults toward her guests. Demelza says to Ross, …I thought I would show ‘em I was a fit wife for you, that I could wear fine clothes and behave genteel an’ not disgrace you. An’ instead they will all ride home snickering behind their hands…
From the start, we are aware of the struggle that Demelza will face, to be accepted as Ross’s wife. She provides this story with its emotional heartstrings and we immediately empathize with her and begin to wish her success. She has such a kind and good heart and wishes to appease a sticky situation between Ross and his cousin Frances. She intervenes in reuniting cousin Verity with the man who wasn’t accepted by her brother Frances and cousin Ross. Demelza is intent on Verity’s happiness but keeps her involvement from Ross. Her loyalty to the Poldark family is seen when a crisis occurs in which she may be at risk by helping out.
Ross, a man of action and decency, has his own share of problems with the domination of the copper smelting companies that are keeping prices unnaturally low. Ross’s investors in the new Carnmore Copper Company are buying up the copper and smelting it themselves for the benefit of the miners. His largest struggle is trying to keep the wicked Warleggan family out of his new venture. This begins a rivalry between two families that proves to be vehement.
I have already become invested in the people that I have met in Cornwall. I know them and want the best for them. New characters are introduced, such as Dr. Dwight Enys, who provide extraneous storylines to the overall plot. The fact that we are involved in the lives of the people surrounding Ross and Demelza makes this a highly appealing story to read. You want to know what happens and why to their servants, tenants, relatives and neighbors. I love the vast sphere of social interactions that are represented by this era - late 18th century. Ross and Demelza pursue their individual interests that help define and solidify their character and personalities. But the love story is still at the center and we get to experience the ups and downs of all of these connected characters.
Whatever she suffered, whatever loss came to her, she would throw it off, for it was not in her nature to go under. Although she was the woman and he a fierce and sometimes arrogant man, hers was the stronger nature because the pliant.
August 16, 2025
4.5 Stars
I love to get immersed in a great, rollicking adventure story with characters I care about and some I don’t. That is this book, the second in the Poldark series.
I read the first earlier this year and was anxious to get back to Cornwall and to Ross Poldark and Demelza. This book did not disappoint.
Winston Graham has created such memorable people in this series. What I loved most about this book was watching Demelza gain her confidence in an upper class society where she still did not feel she belonged. She and Ross cared about the simple folk unlike their counterparts.
This is a great series to lose myself in and I can hardly wait to get to #3.
Published; 1946
I love to get immersed in a great, rollicking adventure story with characters I care about and some I don’t. That is this book, the second in the Poldark series.
I read the first earlier this year and was anxious to get back to Cornwall and to Ross Poldark and Demelza. This book did not disappoint.
Winston Graham has created such memorable people in this series. What I loved most about this book was watching Demelza gain her confidence in an upper class society where she still did not feel she belonged. She and Ross cared about the simple folk unlike their counterparts.
This is a great series to lose myself in and I can hardly wait to get to #3.
Published; 1946
August 30, 2019
The second of this series does not disappoint. Again, the Cornwall landscape is lyrically described and reflects human emotions and moods. The multitude of characters’ personalities are deep and extremely interesting. Their actions reflect the social structure, customs and political atmosphere of the times. The Cornwall speech patterns of the residents can be mystifying at times and adding Polly Choate’s lisp to it pushes it to hilarity (“They came to the Athembly like they wath two tigerth thtalking after pwey”).
Ross and Demelza Poldark’s struggle through everyday life with their families and businesses reflect British society of the mid 18th century. A large portion of the population is starving, big money holds the upper hand on copper prices, there are repercussions of the French Revolution, and age old vices of drunkenness, gambling and adultery rears its head.
Was this author really a male? His ability to write the female side of this tale is admirable. Can’t wait to read #3.
Ross and Demelza Poldark’s struggle through everyday life with their families and businesses reflect British society of the mid 18th century. A large portion of the population is starving, big money holds the upper hand on copper prices, there are repercussions of the French Revolution, and age old vices of drunkenness, gambling and adultery rears its head.
Was this author really a male? His ability to write the female side of this tale is admirable. Can’t wait to read #3.
October 19, 2026
Demelza is the second historical fiction book in the Poldark Saga. This novel is set in eighteenth-century Cornwall from 1788 to 1790. The story follows Ross Poldark and his wife, Demelza Carne. Rescued from an abusive father at age thirteen, Demelza has progressed from her initial position as a kitchen maid in the Poldark home to the wife of Ross Poldark. It is in this role that Demelza matures and attempts to navigate a position in the upper-class society while remaining loyal to her roots, all sometimes leading to awkward and embarrassing moments.
During this time, Ross Poldark has launched Carnmore Copper Company to help struggling local miners, sparking a fierce economic rivalry with wealthy banker, George Warleggan. There are multiple subplots adding to the interest of the continuing saga of the Poldarks. It is in this novel that we meet young and compassionate physician, Dr. Dwight Enys, hired as a physician for the miners. However, he finds himself dealing with deep personal and financial trials.
Always loving the character of Demelza, it is in this book that we see such personal growth as we watch her grow from an unpolished waif into a resilient, heart of the book, often outshining the upper gentry. Demelza is a blend of domestic family drama, class consciousness, and the gritty eighteenth-century English regional history. But at its heart, this is a powerful love story. And a few quotations from the novel as follows:
During this time, Ross Poldark has launched Carnmore Copper Company to help struggling local miners, sparking a fierce economic rivalry with wealthy banker, George Warleggan. There are multiple subplots adding to the interest of the continuing saga of the Poldarks. It is in this novel that we meet young and compassionate physician, Dr. Dwight Enys, hired as a physician for the miners. However, he finds himself dealing with deep personal and financial trials.
Always loving the character of Demelza, it is in this book that we see such personal growth as we watch her grow from an unpolished waif into a resilient, heart of the book, often outshining the upper gentry. Demelza is a blend of domestic family drama, class consciousness, and the gritty eighteenth-century English regional history. But at its heart, this is a powerful love story. And a few quotations from the novel as follows:
“Strange sometimes how easy bitter words came, how hard the kind ones.”
“They are all sentimentalists at heart, the Poldarks, Verity thought, and she realized suddenly for the first time that it was a dangerous trait, far more dangerous than any cynicism.”
“Whatever she suffered, whatever loss came to her, she would throw it off, for it was not in her nature to go under. Although she was the woman and he a fierce and sometimes arrogant man, hers was the stronger nature because the more pliant.”
“He was not a man who spoke his innermost feelings easily, but now he saw himself powerless to help her, and only words of his and not actions would give her aid.”
“An hour before dawn they went down to the cove, following the bubble of the stream and the descending combe, with a glowworm here and there green-lit like a jewel in the dark.”
“The ribbon of milky mist lay in the gully. It stretched down to the sea, and there were patches across the sand hills like steam from a kettle.”
“Walking here with the sun-warmed air on his face he had come up against the fact that it was good just to be alive.”
“Failure was the end of life; all effort was dust, necessary and complete. All roads led to the bleak parapet of death.”
February 2, 2016
"Ross," she said, "I should like you to make it up with Francis sometime. It would be better all around."
"Sometime."
"Sometime soon."
"Sometime soon." He had no heart to argue with her.
The sun shone full upon her face, showing the thin cheeks and the pallid skin.
"When something happens," she said, "like what has just happened to us, it makes all our quarrels seem small and mean, as if we were quarreling when we hadn't the right. Didn't we ought to find all the friendship we can?"
"If friendship is to be found!"
"Yes. But didn't we ought to seek it? Can't all our quarrels be buried and forgotten?"
Ross was silent. "I believe yours is the only wisdom, Demelza," he said at length.
(I realize I used this quote in my first review but it is so profound that I found myself helpless to leave it said but only once.)
If I could give Demelza more than five stars— I surely would. I actually would have given it more the first time I read it and it was even better the second time around. These books that Winston Graham wrote seem to be a part of me now. I know that sounds a bit strange but his writing just takes me there and it's as if I am living and breathing with all these characters in the late 1700's to the early 1800's. JUST.SO.GOOD. On to the third book for a re-read. It will be this book, Jeremy, and the 4th, Warleggan that the 2nd season of the BBC drama will cover. If you have not yet entered this world of Poldark— it's not too late. You will not be sorry!!
*****This is a previous review from the first time I read Demelza*****
Demelza, the second installment of the Poldark saga, was just as excellent as the first. It is a story of love, loss and hardship. It entertains us with a fabulous cast of characters (and a few not so fabulous) and incites so many emotions. As was with the first book, I knew much of what was going to take place, seeing as I had watched the BBC TV adaptation. It made reading it that much sweeter IMO and also offered invaluable detail into the thoughts of Demelza and Ross that can only be realized thru the written word.
My status updates tell much of the story of Ross and Demelza, so I am not including many more pictures. I will share a few of the other main characters though.
Francis Poldark is Ross’s cousin. I don’t like him very much. He is spoiled and self-absorbed. He wouldn’t know (much less appreciate) a good thing if it slapped him in the face.
Elizabeth is the wife of Francis but an old flame of Ross. If you ask me- she made a grave mistake in her choice of husbands.
Then we have sweet Verity. She is Francis’s sister and thankfully is the complete opposite of him. She is so deserving of finding happiness.
George Warleggan is an interesting fellow and I’m very curious to see where the author takes his character. He is a successful, cunning banker for many of the businessmen in the story.
I realize I have not actually explained what this book is about, but there are so many aspects to this story (and I am not at all eloquent in my writing of reviews). So I will just say that if you are at all interested- then you should just read it. Also, I highly recommend the television series as a companion to the book(s). It's like icing on the cake!!!
"Sometime."
"Sometime soon."
"Sometime soon." He had no heart to argue with her.
The sun shone full upon her face, showing the thin cheeks and the pallid skin.
"When something happens," she said, "like what has just happened to us, it makes all our quarrels seem small and mean, as if we were quarreling when we hadn't the right. Didn't we ought to find all the friendship we can?"
"If friendship is to be found!"
"Yes. But didn't we ought to seek it? Can't all our quarrels be buried and forgotten?"
Ross was silent. "I believe yours is the only wisdom, Demelza," he said at length.
(I realize I used this quote in my first review but it is so profound that I found myself helpless to leave it said but only once.)
If I could give Demelza more than five stars— I surely would. I actually would have given it more the first time I read it and it was even better the second time around. These books that Winston Graham wrote seem to be a part of me now. I know that sounds a bit strange but his writing just takes me there and it's as if I am living and breathing with all these characters in the late 1700's to the early 1800's. JUST.SO.GOOD. On to the third book for a re-read. It will be this book, Jeremy, and the 4th, Warleggan that the 2nd season of the BBC drama will cover. If you have not yet entered this world of Poldark— it's not too late. You will not be sorry!!
*****This is a previous review from the first time I read Demelza*****
Demelza, the second installment of the Poldark saga, was just as excellent as the first. It is a story of love, loss and hardship. It entertains us with a fabulous cast of characters (and a few not so fabulous) and incites so many emotions. As was with the first book, I knew much of what was going to take place, seeing as I had watched the BBC TV adaptation. It made reading it that much sweeter IMO and also offered invaluable detail into the thoughts of Demelza and Ross that can only be realized thru the written word.
My status updates tell much of the story of Ross and Demelza, so I am not including many more pictures. I will share a few of the other main characters though.
Francis Poldark is Ross’s cousin. I don’t like him very much. He is spoiled and self-absorbed. He wouldn’t know (much less appreciate) a good thing if it slapped him in the face.
Elizabeth is the wife of Francis but an old flame of Ross. If you ask me- she made a grave mistake in her choice of husbands.
Then we have sweet Verity. She is Francis’s sister and thankfully is the complete opposite of him. She is so deserving of finding happiness.
George Warleggan is an interesting fellow and I’m very curious to see where the author takes his character. He is a successful, cunning banker for many of the businessmen in the story.
I realize I have not actually explained what this book is about, but there are so many aspects to this story (and I am not at all eloquent in my writing of reviews). So I will just say that if you are at all interested- then you should just read it. Also, I highly recommend the television series as a companion to the book(s). It's like icing on the cake!!!
September 23, 2018
4.5 I'm starting to get attached to these characters. I feel like I know them. I love the poetic writing.
"The stars moved up the sky, climbing and turning on their endless roundabout. A gentle wind stirred and sighed among the bracken and the brake, stirred and moved and then lay down again to sleep. A cricket began to saw among the gorse, and somewhere overhead a nighthawk cried."
I highly recommend for those who like historical fiction!
"The stars moved up the sky, climbing and turning on their endless roundabout. A gentle wind stirred and sighed among the bracken and the brake, stirred and moved and then lay down again to sleep. A cricket began to saw among the gorse, and somewhere overhead a nighthawk cried."
I highly recommend for those who like historical fiction!
January 24, 2017
Demelza, the second book in the Poldark series, is what second books should be, even better than the first. The story builds to a crescendo, and even though I knew from watching the TV series exactly what was in store, I was glued to every page and full of emotion by the end.
What I love the most about this story is that every character is fully developed and very real. No one is always right, no one always wrong. They do things without fully understanding the consequences of their actions; they endeavor to right things and frequently make them worse; they love and hate--and sometimes both emotions are thrown at the same individual. There are complicated family relationships (and who doesn’t have those?) and there is jealousy and greed and every other aspect of being human and fallible.
I am not one who generally reads a series. I seldom want to commit that kind of time and energy to one story, and I fear that, like a TV show that goes on too long, the author will begin to short change his audience because he should have closed out a story that he is milking along. If the second book of this series is any indicator, I will be glad that I made an exception in this case.
What I love the most about this story is that every character is fully developed and very real. No one is always right, no one always wrong. They do things without fully understanding the consequences of their actions; they endeavor to right things and frequently make them worse; they love and hate--and sometimes both emotions are thrown at the same individual. There are complicated family relationships (and who doesn’t have those?) and there is jealousy and greed and every other aspect of being human and fallible.
I am not one who generally reads a series. I seldom want to commit that kind of time and energy to one story, and I fear that, like a TV show that goes on too long, the author will begin to short change his audience because he should have closed out a story that he is milking along. If the second book of this series is any indicator, I will be glad that I made an exception in this case.
June 23, 2015
After reading the first book in the Poldark Saga, I was eager for more of the gritty, atmospheric world set along the Cornish coast in the late eighteen hundreds. The writing, tone, characters, dialogue and setting were of the finest I have read. I was not disappointed when I continued with the story in this second book of the series which really needs to be read in order.
As the title states clearly, this is Demelza's book. She was a waif and an emerging woman in the first book, but this book shows her coming into her own through the trials of life as friend, lady of their lands, mother, and wife. She both errs and she grows, but her character does not alter.
In the beginning of the story, Demelza desires to show herself ready to be the lady of a gentleman so she uses little Julia's christening as an opportunity to host a party. But ready to be lady or not, she still has her insecurities and it is up to Ross to reassure her:
"Nothing else matters, but you," he said. "Remember that. All my relatives and friends- and Elizabeth, and this house and the mine...I'd throw them in the dust and you know it- and you know it. If you don't know it, then all these months I've failed and no words I can give you now will make it otherwise. I love you, Demelza... p. 6 Ross from Demelza
Demelza wants to make those she loves happy so she meddles and schemes even behind Ross' back. She learns that what she meant for good may have dire consequences even within her own marriage.
Ross has his own worries what with the situation of the copper industry, the Warleggan strangle-hold on the financial power in their area of Cornwall, and trouble within his own family and people. He must find a way to steer his way through it all. In the end, tragedies and joys come and it is Demelza's sunny nature that soothes his dark Poldark one.
This truly is a saga of the Poldark family, but also that of the Cornish people at the time. The story moves along steadily accumulating plot threads and players on the scene surrounding the key players. It's not hard to follow the story and very easy to become vested in the circumstances. I love that this historical is not about the upper classes, but the gentry and the working poor. Instead of their lives being bland; they are rich and emotions are engaged.
Ross and Demelza's marriage and daily life are still center, but the dark clouds of low rates for the copper, tough times for their people, strained relations with their neighbors even family, and most of all, the rising conflict with the Warleggans make for continued page turning. Demelza's activities strained things and I can see storm clouds brewing as a continued result of what she set in motion. My emotions were gripped. I was both saddened and gladdened by events of the story. I would add that this is romantic storytelling without being a romance.
The historical setting of Georgian era Cornwall continues to be a strength. The author waxes poetic a few times and nearly brought me to tears over a mine closure and later I was thrilled breathless by a shipwreck and a wrecker's party on the beach. The writing includes strong nods to the distinction of classes and society with local speech employed for miners and workers that is amusing to work out at times.
All in all, the strength, depth, and richness of this story kept me reading on even when other claims on my time called to me. I loved getting lost in the Poldark world and I look forward to picking up the next book in the series. I heartily recommend this series to those who love historical fiction with drama.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
As the title states clearly, this is Demelza's book. She was a waif and an emerging woman in the first book, but this book shows her coming into her own through the trials of life as friend, lady of their lands, mother, and wife. She both errs and she grows, but her character does not alter.
In the beginning of the story, Demelza desires to show herself ready to be the lady of a gentleman so she uses little Julia's christening as an opportunity to host a party. But ready to be lady or not, she still has her insecurities and it is up to Ross to reassure her:
"Nothing else matters, but you," he said. "Remember that. All my relatives and friends- and Elizabeth, and this house and the mine...I'd throw them in the dust and you know it- and you know it. If you don't know it, then all these months I've failed and no words I can give you now will make it otherwise. I love you, Demelza... p. 6 Ross from Demelza
Demelza wants to make those she loves happy so she meddles and schemes even behind Ross' back. She learns that what she meant for good may have dire consequences even within her own marriage.
Ross has his own worries what with the situation of the copper industry, the Warleggan strangle-hold on the financial power in their area of Cornwall, and trouble within his own family and people. He must find a way to steer his way through it all. In the end, tragedies and joys come and it is Demelza's sunny nature that soothes his dark Poldark one.
This truly is a saga of the Poldark family, but also that of the Cornish people at the time. The story moves along steadily accumulating plot threads and players on the scene surrounding the key players. It's not hard to follow the story and very easy to become vested in the circumstances. I love that this historical is not about the upper classes, but the gentry and the working poor. Instead of their lives being bland; they are rich and emotions are engaged.
Ross and Demelza's marriage and daily life are still center, but the dark clouds of low rates for the copper, tough times for their people, strained relations with their neighbors even family, and most of all, the rising conflict with the Warleggans make for continued page turning. Demelza's activities strained things and I can see storm clouds brewing as a continued result of what she set in motion. My emotions were gripped. I was both saddened and gladdened by events of the story. I would add that this is romantic storytelling without being a romance.
The historical setting of Georgian era Cornwall continues to be a strength. The author waxes poetic a few times and nearly brought me to tears over a mine closure and later I was thrilled breathless by a shipwreck and a wrecker's party on the beach. The writing includes strong nods to the distinction of classes and society with local speech employed for miners and workers that is amusing to work out at times.
All in all, the strength, depth, and richness of this story kept me reading on even when other claims on my time called to me. I loved getting lost in the Poldark world and I look forward to picking up the next book in the series. I heartily recommend this series to those who love historical fiction with drama.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2021
Докато във Франция през 1788 г. къкри на тих огън подготовката за Френската революция, в Корнуол Рос Полдарк и съпругата му Демелза имат съвсем други проблеми. Цената на медта пада, корнуолски миньори остават без работа и избухват гладни бунтове, а спекуланти като Уорлеганови организират монополи и пълнят кесиите, докато “благовъзпитаното” общество нехае за каквото и да е, освен за поредния бал или лов. На фамилния фронт една неприключила доста джейностиновка любовна история ще запали искри, а други герои ще се опарят доста по-опасно.
Полдаркови са все така симпатични, макар и малко далечни. Акцентът е върху семейните и бизнес отношенията, които диктуват ежедневието. Англия не е била кой знае колко приятно място през епохата, но определено е била с потенциал, и то несвързан с имериализма, който Греъм избягва да споменава или намесва, за сметка на вътрешната картина.
Единствено ме подразни странно едностранчивото и меко отношение към убиеца. Все едно да оправдаем убийството на всичко неверни съпруги?!
Да видим и следващите части, които “Унискорп” са ни приготвили.
3,5 звезди
Полдаркови са все така симпатични, макар и малко далечни. Акцентът е върху семейните и бизнес отношенията, които диктуват ежедневието. Англия не е била кой знае колко приятно място през епохата, но определено е била с потенциал, и то несвързан с имериализма, който Греъм избягва да споменава или намесва, за сметка на вътрешната картина.
Единствено ме подразни странно едностранчивото и меко отношение към убиеца. Все едно да оправдаем убийството на всичко неверни съпруги?!
Да видим и следващите части, които “Унискорп” са ни приготвили.
3,5 звезди
February 12, 2018
The second book is this series was every bit as good as the first, and did not disappoint me at all. At this point, I feel as though I live on the Cornish coast with not only the landed gentry, but the miners and their families as well. And now I can watch the first season of this Masterpiece Theater production, which encompasses the first two novels. Still have a crush on Ross, am best friends with his wife, and there's still a lot of characters to hate and gossip about. Good writing takes this family saga over the top.
June 14, 2021
I used to call the TV show "Ross Makes Terrible Life Choices," but really, this book makes it clear that it's not his fault. Everyone is making terrible choices here, except of course my darling Demelza and my darling Verity. I had forgotten what an ass Francis was, too!
January 25, 2017
After reading this second book in the Poldark series I am even more captivated with these characters. Graham writes naturally, adding no unnecessary details that take you out of the story. His characters are complex yet entertaining. The views of the Cornish coastline, written in panoramic detail, are stunning. Even if I weren't thoroughly bewitched by Demelza Poldark this would be a worthwhile read.
But at the heart of this offering is Demelza's story. In this installment she blossoms and matures into a young woman who is governed by her virtues. Against a backdrop of tension and fear she maintains a positive outlook. There is much for Demelza to overcome, but overcome she does and beautifully I might add. This book is a reminder of how uncertain life can be and those who cling to their belief that things will get better will surely endure.
But at the heart of this offering is Demelza's story. In this installment she blossoms and matures into a young woman who is governed by her virtues. Against a backdrop of tension and fear she maintains a positive outlook. There is much for Demelza to overcome, but overcome she does and beautifully I might add. This book is a reminder of how uncertain life can be and those who cling to their belief that things will get better will surely endure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2017
This is some of the best historical fiction I've read in a while. I loved the characters, the setting, the relationships... everything. Some of the scenes dealing with the copper company were a bit dull but for the most part I loved it.
June 5, 2016
Demasiado bonico, aunque me han hecho mucho de sufrir.
January 24, 2021
When I was a teen, I couldn't get enough of the Poldark books.
August 9, 2016
Re-read was even better than the first time around!
January 19, 2017
3,5 Soy fan de el personaje de Demelza, pero tanta descripción minera me lo ha hecho algo pesado. Sin embargo, seguiré con los otros aunque sea con calma.
January 26, 2017
Demelza picks up where Ross Poldark left off. With the birth of their first child and the Wheal Leisure project progressing, Ross and Demelza are content. However, the country has been plunged into a depression and many are out of work. Ross champions his friends and workers against a system that increasingly favors the wealthy gentry and nobility. His cousin Francis is on a downward spiral as well and cousin Verity is fading into an unhappy spinster. Demelza, with love in her heart, also champions the side of happiness and true love over the expectations of her husband's class. Can she ever truly be one of them? Ross continues to find ways to save his mines and keep out of debtors' prison. Will he be able to find a solution or will his hot temper get in the way? Business triumph turns to despair and personal tragedy brings Ross closer than ever to the brink of ruin. Only his wife's open and loving heart can help him overcome his setbacks.
This story has a lot more action than the first book. There's childbirth, work, courtship, intense emotion, marriage, adultery, murder, card games, illness and shipwreck to keep the reader involved. Having seen the series, I wasn't quite as involved in the story as I would have been otherwise. I noticed some differences in the two plots and the timeline was very condensed in the series. I have to give an A+ to the screenwriter for being faithful to the plot and adding a woman's romantic touch and a cliffhanger to the shocking ending.
The writing is excellent. As in the first book, the descriptions of scenery and the weather are so incredibly vivid, I can easily imagine 18th century Cornwall in all its splendid glory. The writing lends itself so easily to the sweeping, cinematic style of the BBC/PBS Masterpiece now that it must have been an easy choice to choose to adapt this series. Cornwall is a major character as much as the people. I only have a few minor quibbles where the author fell into the stereotypes of his day and the time period he wrote about (George's looks, Ross's feelings towards Demelza's innocent actions, attitudes towards Keren). I really liked most of the history except for the details of the mining business. I don't understand that and skimmed some of it in favor of advancing the plot.
The human characters are also very vivid. Here their personalities start to come out more. Ross is boiling just below the surface, trying to keep his anger at the inequality of social justice at bay. He wants to do the right thing by everyone and is very proud-almost too proud and stubborn to do the right thing. His hair trigger temper gets the better of him at times. There was one scene with his wife I didn't care much for but he didn't go completely off the deep end yet. I can empathize with his temper and his strong sense of social justice. If Ross represents the darkness of raw emotion, then Demelza represents the light of a pure heart. She's so sweet and somewhat naive. She doubts herself too much. She is starting to come into her own here and become a true partner to Ross. They're not quite equals yet but she is learning to speak her mind. They have an easy camaraderie and balance each other nicely. Winston Graham's wife must have been an exceptional woman and he must have loved her very much to base this amazing young woman after her. I also love Verity, Ross's spinster cousin. Her feelings are so raw and so strong on the page, I can feel them. I sympathize with her and wish I had half the patience and goodness she has. I was rooting for her to find happiness.
I'm less enthusiastic about Francis and Elizabeth. Francis is a whiny, spoiled baby who needs to man up. Elizabeth wants her cake and to eat it too. She doesn't have a huge role here. I give her credit for being a devoted mother but that's about it. George's character is starting to develop towards the end of the novel. He is also spoiled and has a chip on his shoulder. He doesn't like to lose but he's not as much of a villain as he is in the series at this point. The other gentry men who appear here don't get much love from me. While they admire Demelza, they admire her for the wrong reasons. The gentrywomen all come across as catty. Demelza's father returns with a new wife and new personality. He is quite the character and adds some comic relief (unintentionally on his part).
A brand new character here is Dr. Dwight Enys, a young surgeon specializing in mine diseases. He's good at what he does and a million times more modern than Dr. Choake. Enys has a good heart though he lost respect in my eyes from something he let happen. Equally vivid are the miners and their families. New here is Mark Daniel, an uneducated miner who falls madly for a beautiful young actress. Keren is a young woman who has never had a real home. She's very naive in many ways but she's also a minx. I tried to make allowances for her lack of upbringing but it's hard. She lacks common sense and thinks too highly of herself. Her actions are selfish but Mark's actions and the reactions of the cottagers are not acceptable to me. Again, making allowances for the time period is tough, especially right now. The more things change, the more things stay the same.
This is an excellent series that period drama fans will enjoy.
This story has a lot more action than the first book. There's childbirth, work, courtship, intense emotion, marriage, adultery, murder, card games, illness and shipwreck to keep the reader involved. Having seen the series, I wasn't quite as involved in the story as I would have been otherwise. I noticed some differences in the two plots and the timeline was very condensed in the series. I have to give an A+ to the screenwriter for being faithful to the plot and adding a woman's romantic touch and a cliffhanger to the shocking ending.
The writing is excellent. As in the first book, the descriptions of scenery and the weather are so incredibly vivid, I can easily imagine 18th century Cornwall in all its splendid glory. The writing lends itself so easily to the sweeping, cinematic style of the BBC/PBS Masterpiece now that it must have been an easy choice to choose to adapt this series. Cornwall is a major character as much as the people. I only have a few minor quibbles where the author fell into the stereotypes of his day and the time period he wrote about (George's looks, Ross's feelings towards Demelza's innocent actions, attitudes towards Keren). I really liked most of the history except for the details of the mining business. I don't understand that and skimmed some of it in favor of advancing the plot.
The human characters are also very vivid. Here their personalities start to come out more. Ross is boiling just below the surface, trying to keep his anger at the inequality of social justice at bay. He wants to do the right thing by everyone and is very proud-almost too proud and stubborn to do the right thing. His hair trigger temper gets the better of him at times. There was one scene with his wife I didn't care much for but he didn't go completely off the deep end yet. I can empathize with his temper and his strong sense of social justice. If Ross represents the darkness of raw emotion, then Demelza represents the light of a pure heart. She's so sweet and somewhat naive. She doubts herself too much. She is starting to come into her own here and become a true partner to Ross. They're not quite equals yet but she is learning to speak her mind. They have an easy camaraderie and balance each other nicely. Winston Graham's wife must have been an exceptional woman and he must have loved her very much to base this amazing young woman after her. I also love Verity, Ross's spinster cousin. Her feelings are so raw and so strong on the page, I can feel them. I sympathize with her and wish I had half the patience and goodness she has. I was rooting for her to find happiness.
I'm less enthusiastic about Francis and Elizabeth. Francis is a whiny, spoiled baby who needs to man up. Elizabeth wants her cake and to eat it too. She doesn't have a huge role here. I give her credit for being a devoted mother but that's about it. George's character is starting to develop towards the end of the novel. He is also spoiled and has a chip on his shoulder. He doesn't like to lose but he's not as much of a villain as he is in the series at this point. The other gentry men who appear here don't get much love from me. While they admire Demelza, they admire her for the wrong reasons. The gentrywomen all come across as catty. Demelza's father returns with a new wife and new personality. He is quite the character and adds some comic relief (unintentionally on his part).
A brand new character here is Dr. Dwight Enys, a young surgeon specializing in mine diseases. He's good at what he does and a million times more modern than Dr. Choake. Enys has a good heart though he lost respect in my eyes from something he let happen. Equally vivid are the miners and their families. New here is Mark Daniel, an uneducated miner who falls madly for a beautiful young actress. Keren is a young woman who has never had a real home. She's very naive in many ways but she's also a minx. I tried to make allowances for her lack of upbringing but it's hard. She lacks common sense and thinks too highly of herself. Her actions are selfish but Mark's actions and the reactions of the cottagers are not acceptable to me. Again, making allowances for the time period is tough, especially right now. The more things change, the more things stay the same.
This is an excellent series that period drama fans will enjoy.
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