Musings on Love in the series

[Tanya, Moderator/Hostess]

In honor of Valentine's day: Do you have a favorite quote or depiction of love from the series? Share them here!

[Tanya, Moderator/Hostess]

One of my personal favorites (from that romantic Hugh Armitage):

“Love is not a possession to hoard. You give it away. It's a blessing and a balm.” (The Four Swans)

[Mara]

From book 2, Ross' thoughts on Demelza...."He was struck by the mystery of personality...that the young woman was his by right of marriage...and...meant more to him than any other because it made up in some mysterious way just the key that unlocked his attention and desire and love."

[Joanne]

I love how Winston Graham writes Ross and Demelza's relationship. It's real, but also very romantic. There are heartbreaking ups and downs, but they always WANT to find their way back to one another. It does not come across well on the current TV series, which is a shame - and why everyone should read all of the books.

[Deb]

Divorce was legally possible, but much harder to obtain around end 18th century. In the 1970's adaptation, Demelza left Ross & returned home to her father when she fell pregnant after the 'blue dress' one-night stand incident, In the current adaptation, she also threatens to go home to Dad with Jeremy after Ross' one-night stand with Elizabeth. Both are reconstructions of WG's story & characters in a feminist mould. WG's agenda was more about making the relationship work out over the long term, with lots of warts & bumps & wrinkles along the way, than proving feminist independence, as both TV adaptations have done.

[Stella]

Joanne wrote: "I love how Winston Graham writes Ross and Demelza's relationship. It's real, but also very romantic. There are heartbreaking ups and downs, but they always WANT to find their way back to one anothe..."

I agree that this does not come across at all well on the current TV series or indeed on the 1970s one either. The end of Warleggan with Ross and Demelza's struggle to reconcile is beautiful and real and has its own pace. By the end of the book there is hope that they will succeed in mending their marriage. The same cannot be said of the series which is so frenetic at the end with all the stuff that isn't in the book and which sucks up precious time that could have been used to portray the story more accurately.

[Mara]

Deb wrote: "Divorce was legally possible, but much harder to obtain around end 18th century. In the 1970's adaptation, Demelza left Ross & returned home to her father when she fell pregnant after the 'blue dre..."

Demelza leaving Ross was definitely a possibility in the book. One of my favorite parts of the ENTIRE series is the walk along the beach after the Bodrugen ball. It's when Demelza asks Ross when he would like for her to go, that she thinks it would be best for him and for her, that she would be able to find work easy, that Jeremy would be fine with Jane for the time being. There's even a part that says "No one would have thought her dependant on anyone."

I believe that the real possibility of her leaving is what causes everything to "crystalize" for Ross and he makes his decision "not to tear everyone apart again."