Your Place or Mine?

Last week, I finished 'Warleggan' by Winston Graham, the fourth in the highly popular series of novels about the fortunes and misfortunes of the Poldark family.  Many people will know the name from the successful 1970s TV series, but with a new one due for broadcast later in the year, I decided now was a good time to get back into the books.

'Warleggan' by Winston Graham
(Pan, 2008)

Breaking hearts and looming bankruptcy mean it's not looking good for Ross and Demelza Poldark.  Unexpected moves by Ross's first love and cousin-by-marriage Elizabeth and the arrival of a dashing Scots soldier have left them emotionally confused and distanced, while the failing mine, Wheal Leisure, is draining their money.   Scenting blood in the water, it's not long before the avaricious Warleggans are circling their prey.  Fortunately, they are not the only ones drawn to the Poldarks in their hour of need.  But will the unexpected good will of others be enough to save them?

The great strength of the Poldark novels is their characters. They are not heroes, they are people and this is clearer in 'Warleggan' than in any of the first three novels.  I don't want to give anything away, but I was genuinely shocked by Ross during this book, more so than George Warleggan, who is clearly being built up as the villain of the piece.  The fact that his actions could be both somehow understandable and abhorrent is testament to the complexity of the people that Graham created.

One character that I missed in this novel, though, was Jud Paynter.  The plot of 'Warleggan', with its death, failure and disappointment, is quite miserable and Jud can be relied upon to bring humour to even the most bleak moments.  Life has laughter as well as tears, so I feel that it always makes a story feel more real if it has elements of both.  About three quarters of the way through this book I did find myself wondering whether Graham hated the Poldarks and what on Earth he was going to throw at them next.  It does pick up a bit towards the end, but if I'd cared any less about the characters, I doubt I would have made it to the final pages.

Over all, if you've enjoyed the previous Poldark novels, you'll enjoy this one.  There are times when it will break your heart, but it's impossible to desert these characters when they are in such straits.  I just hope that things start looking up for them in book five, although with a title like 'The Black Moon', maybe I shouldn't hope too much..

Related Posts

'Ross Poldark' (Book One)
'Demelza' (Book Two)
'Jeremy Poldark' (Book Three. For some reason, I didn't write a review of this! Sorry!)