Poldark Saga - Winston Graham discussion
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Bella Poldark
Bella Poldark - #12
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Elisa
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rated it 3 stars
Nov 01, 2015 03:13PM
I was a little disappointed by the ending in this book. The daughters, Clowance and Bella seem to have been completely drawn and summarized, but Ross and Demelza are again on an unhappy note in their marriage. I was hoping for more of a happy ending with them, but maybe turmoil is the bane of their existence.
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spoiler: (view spoiler)Oh Elsa I agree. This is my least favorite book. I have wondered if WG was still in mourning for his wife, and without her input he forgot the familiar and enduring love between Ross and Demelza. For many reasons they should have been closer than ever. Clowance will finally be happy with someone who adores her. Sad to say I nearly cheered when Steven died. Do you wonder if anyone will find Jeremy's treasure at the Gatehouse? What did you think of the stalker? a little far fetched??spoiler: (view spoiler)
I read that WG, during his break from the first Poldark books, discovered that he really enjoyed writing suspense novels(ie Marnie,etc.). That was the rationale I gave myself for the stalker plot line. I didn't think it fit in well at all with the rest of the story.I was so sad about Ross and Demelza at the end, and the sadness lasted for days. You are right, they should have been happy for their daughters' successes. They survived so much and still had each other.
Good point about the Gatehouse - I guess the next person Ross "sponsors" who lives there will find it.
There were a few things that could have been tied up more neatly,but considering we got a series of 12 books, I have to say, "Well Done!"
ELSA...Thank you. I completely forgot that WG wrote suspense novels, that makes far more sense of the Stalker story line. It was an easy segway for him to incorporate it in BELLA. Glad that I am not the only one disappointed about the R & D ending could have been far more satisfying....perhaps he left notes for a 13th book???
Mod
"As she climbed in, the door was shut behind her and she offered her cupped hands to her parents with one of her billiant all-embracing smiles that seemed to encompass the whole world.
'Cornish earth!' she said. 'Smell it! It's quite different! We're home!'"
I was disappointed not to get Clowance's thoughts after the 2nd marriage, she seems to be happy, but I wish there was a conversation with Demelza or Bella where she tells them how she feels. Also who does Bella eventually marry? And Cubie? To me its almost as if WG was planning another book, but he passed away.
Many people are less than satisfied with the ending to Bella including, it would appear, Winston Graham. He wrote a short story which is effectively an epilogue to Bella entitled 'Christmas at Nampara 1820'. It is currently available to read in the Courtney Library in Truro but has never been published. Also in the library are WG's notes indicating he might have been preparing it for publication. If anyone here wants to visit the library to see this document you need to give 2 weeks notice so that the archivist can make the papers available. It costs £4.50. The library is in the same building as the Royal Cornwall Museum in the centre of Truro. The story gives a much better ending and is well worth reading. Unfortunately Copyright law forbids me from saying more.
Stella, is there any way us fans from the States can access this?
Parker - I am sorry that there is no way you can access this. It is copyright protected so you have to go to the library. I was hoping Andrew Graham, son of Winston, might have released it for publication.
Now the Poldark Series has ended would the script go right to the very end (12th book) I wonder. Being in the USA we have one more episode in the 4th series to watch next Sunday Nov,18th where Elizabeth dies. I have read all the books planning on reading the last two or three to recall/catch up on the endings again. Even if the books hadn't been read the duel outcome would be obvious as Ross Poldark is in the story/drama to the very end. What next will we see A Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson and Jack Farthing in. Such great acting. J,F is a great actor to be so hated/unlike d for his character
Hello Fellow Poldark Lovers!This is my first actual post! I had been waiting to comment until I finished the last novel, but I have been following many discussions for a few months now.
I finished Bella last month and I am still reeling. I read this series on audio over the last 2 years. It was periotic in the beginning as I leaned more into the TV show than the books, but soon I couldn't wait anymore and I plowed ahead.
I cannot fully express how much a adored this family and rejoiced and cried with them through their rich and long lives together. I am so sad there are not even more. Winston Graham somehow kept me enraptured at every point in these characters lives.
I honestly thought Bella was one of the best. Although some things were left up in the air, that is life! It shows that they keep living even after we can't read anymore. Knowing that there were a few things that we weren't going to know for sure, that was so artfully done in my humble opinion.
I was rapt in my listening to this story. It is one of the bigger books and I got through it in 10 days! Which is intense for me when I listen because I only do it on my commute usually, but I would get home and not be able to stop.
Anyway, I was so sad when it was done, but I immediately went back to the beginning and I was excited all over again for all my favorite characters to meet and grow old together. And I get to enjoy it all over again.
So excited to finally comment on some things now! Now that I know all the spoilers!
TTFN,
Jenn
Jenn, now you have finished all 12 books and no spoilers ( I haven't seen Series five yet (just watched Series 4 USA) What did you think of Valentines character when grown up, weird I thought . Wondering if Debbie, script writer brings it into the Drama. I read all 12 books during series one. Will read again after the last series next Fall is shown on TV here.
Hey Sonia!I thought he was pretty weird. But honestly, besides the parts with him and Selena, which I think he does very badly, I found myself feeling for him so much. I rooted for him in his interactions with George and with how frank and challenging he was of Ross. That Valentine was deserving of honesty and not to be told to never question anything. Especially when he was already cut off by George. I didn't want Demelza to have to be hurt by the answers, but after 25 years, they really needed to hash out those issues anyway. I do feel like that is one area WG never really got to conclude.
So, I think Valentine was very odd, flawed, charming, and I wanted more of him. He was still so young and I feel like he was on the edge of turning some things around. He wanted to be back with his son and wife and I think he could have redeemed himself. If not for that dang ape.
Did they really have apes as pets back then. Wonder what the reason was to have the "dang" ape in the drama for. Does anyone know if it will be in series 5 (the ape that is). I will have to read the end books again, catch up
Mod
The wealthy during that time period had all kinds of pets, some with their own private zoos. It was a form of one-up-manship--the more exotic, the better!
Series 5 will contain the gap years between The Angry Tide book and The Stranger from the Sea...long before Valentine and his ape.
Jenn wrote: "Hey Sonia!I thought he was pretty weird. But honestly, besides the parts with him and Selena, which I think he does very badly, I found myself feeling for him so much. I rooted for him in his int..."
Hi Jenn, I so agree with you about Valentine. I really loved him in a way - he was treated so unfairly it's no surprise he behaved in shocking ways sometimes, but deep down I think he just wanted to be loved, to feel loved, to feel like he belonged. I found him to be a fascinating character, charming as you said, sometimes, and other times baffling. Every time he entered a scene I knew something unexpected was about to happen. I was very sad at the way it all turned out for him, just at a point when he might have found redemption and acceptance.
I just finished the series, which I read over the last year after getting interested from the TV series. I loved this series so much, and I am in awe of an author that has so much interest in researching history. In this last book he brought us into the opera and stage world, the royal family scandals, and even a brief stint into public hygiene (What happened to that whole plot line with Phillip going to George to ask for money to clean up the town?). Characters that I disliked: Phillip, Christopher, Stephen. Not sure what it was with Phillip other than he seemed creepy, untrustworthy, and once killed a servant.
I wasn't into Bella Poldark so much as a character, I think because she seemed a bit passive at times with regards to Charles. I think I was secretly hoping she wouldn't agree to marry a guy who would introduce her to his prostitute as if it's no big deal and wanted to marry her since she was 14. But I did think she made a good character to end on (poor Harry, we never hear what happens to him) because she united the good parts of her parents' characters. And I liked how she talked about drawing on her relationship with Jeremy to play the role of Romeo.
Other than her wrong choice of Stephen, I liked Clowance more than Bella, especially when she stayed and ran the business after Stephen died. She seemed a bit more "modern" in that regard.
I liked the complicated issue with Valentine, Ross' guilt about his responsibility for growing up so tormented because George treated him so badly because he suspected that it wasn't his child. In this case, the gossip really takes on a life of its own, persisting and overtaking the suppression and denials. I think it was an important issue in Ross and Demelza's marriage that needed to come out. I liked that it was finally addressed in this last book, and at the end, I feel hopeful that things will continue on well for Ross and Demelza in the long run. They'll keep lighting candles. *wink, wink*
I didn't like Valentine as a character, but I did feel sorry for him. And Ross, my favorite character, I had to kind of turn on because it *was* wrong that he just left Elizabeth pregnant with Valentine. The consequences played out in Valentine's life. But I trust Ross to berate himself for it. He's not the kind to let himself off the hook and recognizes (eventually) when he's done wrong. That's why I love him as a character.
Isn't it interesting that Ross doesn't realize his social justice aims? He recognizes that being sent away on adventures (satisfying another impulse in his character) might have resulted in some useful measures not being passed because he was "out of the way." He continues to do good by paying miners well beyond when his mine is profitable, which means he was still a social do-gooder to some extent to the end (I mean, he didn't exactly establish a mining co-op with miners as part owners. He could have done more but still).
Sorry this is really me just rambling commentary and not more put together. I loved these books and wouldn't mind revisiting them in the future.
I agree with Kimberly above, except I liked Philip. He seemed to be suffering from some kind of post-traumatic stress syndrome. I believe that's what led him to kill a man. I didn't care for either of Bella's suitors, if you can call Maurice a suitor. He's more of a slimeball. I found Bella rather annoying and there's no way in heck I'd let my daughter go upon the stage at that time. Women in performing arts were perceived as prostitutes. I think opera singer would be the best choice but times hadn't changed enough yet to make that a respectable thing for women to do.
The ending made me so sad and traumatized.
Ross can't achieve his social justice aims. It would not be historically accurate. Reform will come but not yet.
