Should I read it?

[novajetty]

Hello 👋🏻 fellow Poldark fans,
After watching the show’s last season and while I anxiously wait for its continuation, I’ve been giving some thought towards reading the books... If I’d make a complaint about the series, it would be the insecurity I feel about Ross’ feelings. That Demelza and Elizabeth feel it, it’s the objective of course, but I, as an observer have no idea what he feels or how he thinks. Should he choose, I wouldn’t risk a guess. Are his feelings better explained in the books?

Thank you 😊

[Tanya, Moderator/Hostess]

Vodkaquiet wrote: "Are his feelings better explained in the books? "

I would say yes, definitely. Although the books are not told exclusively from his point of view, he is central--especially in the beginning. We see more of what he feels, but doesn't say to Demelza, especially.

[Stella]

Fiona wrote: "I think the books explore a lot more the characters thoughts and feelings team the series can.

I miss reading these books... So much better than the TV drama! They are so good, I can still feel th..."

Fiona I agree that the books are so much better than the productions. In the productions the characters are changed a great deal by the scripts. Always with books you get much more detail of the characters, their thoughts and feelings. I love reading the Poldark books as there is so much in them. No matter how many times I re-read them I still find things that I had not noticed before.

[Stella]

Fiona - I agree about the productions. As has been posted on other forums, the scripts have skewed the characters a long way away from the characters in the books. Demelza and to some extent, Ross, are almost unrecognisable in series 3. I also agree with you that 13-14 episodes could achieve a much better production but only if the writer has the intention/motivation to portray the characters as they are in the books. Yes confusion between books and productions is a common problem for many.

[novajetty]

Whaaaaat? No way! Demelza is redhead no matter what the author says.... 😂 I don’t accept it! Eleanor Tomlinson is one of the sweetest sights, really. Sure Turner’s Ross is great and is the one I have in my mind, but she is the best thing in the series in my opinion.

About the number of episodes, I was thinking about this the other day... It seems like such a waste of good professionals. I don’t know why BBC’s shows usually (always?) have short seasons... I imagine they do have money to invest on it... seeing the quality level that story telling though series is coming up to now, they should upgrade that.

I’m thinking about reading the books because I’m having a reeeeaally hard time believing Ross at the moment... 😒after the cheating debacle. I think that this was treated very poorly in the show. It’s getting harder and harder not to cheer Hugh on... is this scenario clearer to you guys?

[Tanya, Moderator/Hostess]

Vodkaquiet wrote: "I’m having a reeeeaally hard time believing Ross at the moment... 😒after the cheating debacle. I think that this was treated very poorly in the show. It’s getting harder and harder not to cheer Hugh on... is this scenario clearer to you guys?"

We have entire threads devoted to both topics! Spoilers follow.
(view spoiler)[
Some of us believe that Winston Graham was a bit ambiguous in his language when describing the night between Ross and Elizabeth. Some of us use the modern day interpretation of consent and apply it to this situation and insist that Elizabeth gave a clear "no", thus Ross is guilty of rape.

Some of us believe that Demelza acted from a different part of her heart when giving in to the temptation of Hugh Armitage, Some of us believe that she made it clear she did not want to cheat on Ross, Hugh persisted, therefore he is guilty of assault in pushing her to do something she did not want to do. (hide spoiler)]

So....no, the scenario may be clearer to one reader and just as clear, though different, to another reader. ;-)

[Tanya, Moderator/Hostess]

Here is the discussion thread on Hugh Armitage in the Four Swans folder
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Ross and Elizabeth threads in the Warleggan folder
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Parker]

Having just reread the books, I agree about Ross. Sort of. I alternated between liking him and wanting to smack him to wanting to cuddle him at the end.

[Myrt]

Stella wrote: "Fiona - I agree about the productions. As has been posted on other forums, the scripts have skewed the characters a long way away from the characters in the books. Demelza and to some extent, Ross,..."

I really have questioned the intention of the Mammoth producers and scriptwriter/producer Debbie Horsfield in how they have chosen to depict the lead characters. It's not in missing, changed or added scenes but the WAY the characters interact in the current series vs the books.

[Myrt]

Vodkaquiet wrote: "Whaaaaat? No way! Demelza is redhead no matter what the author says.... 😂 I don’t accept it! Eleanor Tomlinson is one of the sweetest sights, really. Sure Turner’s Ross is great and is the one I ha..."

Demelza became a redhead in the original 70s series when played by the wonderful blonde Angharad Rees who suggested Demelza as a redhead because the dark hair washed out her pale complexion. Angharad Rees' Demelza's red hair became iconic and in the current series, naturally blonde Eleanor Tomlinson also put her own stamp on Demelza's red hair although she has had dark hair in other roles.

Although Demelza is a brunette throughout the books, Winston Graham loved Angharad Rees as Demelza, and along with Robin Ellis, they remained good friends until his death.