Stormy Weather

Last week I finished 'The Angry Tide' by Winston Graham, the seventh Poldark novel.  Normally I'm a bit of a sucker for a good book cover, but for some reason I didn't pay much attention to this one. Wish I had as I'd have been much better prepared for this book's revelations...

'The Angry Tide'
by Winston Graham
(2008, Pan Macmillan)

It's the last years of the 1700s and still waters run deep for the Poldarks and Warleggans.  While both Ross and George appear prosperous and content, old rivalries continue to simmer beneath the surface and it's not long before they burst forth.  While the enduringly bitter George seizes chances to conspire and strike against the Poldarks and their associates, an opportunity of another kind may mean a ray of hope for the unrequited lovers Morwenna and Drake.  But best laid plans often go astray, especially in the storm ravaged Cornish peninsula...

I might be being a bit harsh, but I felt that 'The Angry Tide' took a while to get going, but once it did, boy did it go!  Winston Graham shows himself to be a master plotter, deftly setting the scene and building the tension before letting the deluge go.  I found this book almost impossible to put down, as wave after wave peaked and troughed until the story's devastating climax is reached.

Graham also shows himself to be an expert at the art of misdirection - just when I thought I knew which way things would go, the current took me elsewhere.

Along with the 'The Black Moon', I think this is the best of the series so far and that fans of historical fiction or family saga will love it too.  I can't wait to get started on 'The Stranger from the Sea' - but I think it'll have to wait until after the new BBC series!

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Ross Poldark
Demelza
Jeremy Poldark
Warleggan
The Black Moon
The Four Swans

Secrets and Lies and a Man to Despise

I've now read six of Winston Graham's twelve Poldark novels, the latest being 'The Four Swans' and I'm already chomping at the bit for both the next book and BBC series.

'The Four Swans'
by Winston Graham
(2008, Pan Macmillan)

Still waters run deep in 'The Four Swans'.  While his mine's prosperity should mean the end of all Ross Poldark's worries, instead the political machinations of others and a naval officer's infatuation with his wife Demelza give him much cause for concern.  George Warleggan looks like he's reaching the heights of power and influence, but Aunt Agatha's final curse has made him doubt the woman he prized and married.  Meanwhile, Demelza's unfortunate brothers Sam and Drake are naively trying to live quiet lives and the lecherous Rev. Osborne Whitworth is failing to practise what he preaches.  As truth, love and lies tangles each relationship, will anyone break free to find happiness?

By its very nature, a series of books must be populated by a swathe of characters otherwise there just aren't enough plot lines to go around.  But it does make summarising what happened in one particular novel quite challenging!  The paragraph above barely hints at what's going on, but, to be fair, all you really need to know is that if you enjoyed the previous books, you'll enjoy this one.

Although...  If you thought Rev. Whitworth couldn't get any worse, it turns out he can.  Never have I wanted a character to come to a sticky end as much as Rev. Whitworth.  I keep being told by people who've read the whole series that he'll get his comeuppance, but I'm not sure how much longer I can wait for it to happen!  I know that Graham is representing 18th century attitudes to women, but rarely has a character made me so angry.  Goodness knows how the BBC are going to cope with his plot line in series three bearing in mind what happened with 'that scene' in series two!

Anyway, overall, 'The Four Swans' is of the same, high quality as the previous Poldark novels and will give fans much to mull over.  It's as engrossing as the other books and progresses the stories of all the key characters.  I ended it wanting more, but that's fine because there are another six books to go!

Now, back to the shelves!

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'Ross Poldark' (Book One)
'Demelza' (Book Two)
'Warleggan' (Book Four)
'The Black Moon' (Book Five)

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..

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