Warleggan: A Novel of Cornwall, 1792-1793

Loved this book series of Poldark. Recommend all 5 seasons on Blu-ray

I just started reading this book, having read the first three. I'll update when I'm finished.

In the 70's, it seemed that everyone would be carrying around books that were ten feet thick and epic in length and scope. I was turned off by these. Lord of the Rings; The Pallisers; Roots and Poldark. Therefore I didn't get to read them at the time, talk about familiarity breeds contempt! Anyway after watching the latest T.V. rendition of Poldark which seems to cover the first two books, I was hooked on the story line. The books are better! The description is copious, the characters are filled out. I appreciate the thoughts asides Winston Graham used in a very skillful way to tell us how the main characters are motivated to do and say certain things, that is a something that only a born story teller seems to get right; Mary Stewart is another. I am up to the Black Moon ( Book 5) don't worry there are no spoilers here. The impetus keeps going, but I sense we are going to find the next few books are going to run out of steam perhaps? When one has written such great characters as are in these books, there is always a risk that when for whatever reason a person dies or leaves or disappears, the reader mourns the loss and finds it hard to carry on reading. Winston Graham is a consummate folk lore writer and I'm sure the following books will continue to have merit "Warleggan" has brought issues of loyalty, greed, ambition, sorrow, hardship, nobility. heartbreak and forgiveness in spades. A great set of books for a summer's holiday read, or as here in Australia, a winter's evening a cosy assignation with wonderful and flawed people, whom one can watch voyeuristically and experience vicariously. One final point I would like to mention is that when these books were written they were often described as almost pulp fiction tomes of a certain caliber, however I really appreciated the language, the sentence and grammar and the flow of the story without the jilted, jargonistic writing of so much of todays work. Contempory literature may reflect modern thought and life but it is not attractive, these read as classics, whether they are or not will only be seen by their longevity.

Well-written and telling a compelling story, these Poldark novels are totally addicting. Peppered with interesting, believable characters and exuding authenticity of time and place, those who love historical fiction will simply become enamoured of these novels. Written very many years ago, time has not diminished the power of these novels to enthrall the reader. This, the fourth in a series of twelve novels, is no exception.In this novel, which is set in Cornwall during the years 1792 through 1793, there are a certain number of seminal events that take place and shape the course of the lives of a number of the main characters. Confessions are also made, for better or worse. Then the unthinkable happens, and life will never again be the same for those involved. Moreover, all these events will eventually cause Ross Poldark to become locked in a battle of long duration with George Warleggan, a blacksmith's grandson and rich parvenu. It is a battle that will threaten to destroy each of them at every turn.After reading this book, I immediately picked up the next novel in the series. Without a doubt, the author, Winston Graham, was a born story teller.

I really enjoy the Poldark series but cannot reccomend the audio version. The reader has no emotion and so much of Warleggon needs emotion. The voices of Demelza snd Ross are so very stilted and monotone when the written words cry out to be spoken with emotion. Audio very disappointing.

In this, the fourth installment of the Poldark series, George Warleggan intersects further into the Poldark circle. Fortunately, the book still centers around Ross and Demelza, with Dr. Dwight Enys continuing as a very important secondary story line. If one were to judge Ross and Dwight on their merits--I think Dwight comes out as the more honorable. Because of the superb writing, the characters act in ways that are completely within the boundaries of plausibility. The events and actions may occasionally surprise the reader, but they are completely believable and in retrospect, predictable. I found myself especially connecting on an emotional level with Demelza, more so in this book than the 3 previous. As she was angry and hurt, I was angry and hurt. And as she began to relax, I also began to relax. As a fan of the 21st century Poldark TV series--there are a number of scenes that I especially look forward to watching onscreen. "Ross in a rage" will be that much more powerful in the capable hands and eyes of actor Aidan Turner.

I'm reading the series, Poldark, by Winston Graham.... I'm on book 4. Will Dwight marry Caroline or won't he? Ross says she'll be a terrible match for him, but is she really? Caroline is smart, witty, compassionate, passionate, rich, and beautiful. I think she makes a great match for Dr. Enys personally.... Ross may be concerned with Caroline's loyalty for his friend, but possibly that's because Ross is struggling not to fall in love with her himself she is so perfect... Ross may not be in touch with his feelings for being so busy at the mine and in debt as well. And Caroline keeps asking about him.... What do you all think? Is Caroline a noble soul or is she a wench like Keren, out for herself and her self alone, a social climber? Let's get this conversation going! Winston Graham is a great story teller, as good as Julian Fellowes...! There's much to discuss about all his characters in Book 4! Francis is the next one to discuss.... This may be my favorite Poldark book yet....

In my review of Book 1, I listed some of the things about which Winston Graham had an astonishing amount of knowledge: add to that, fashion, medicine, sailing, the language of the time, it's just an outstanding series of books.I am now on the 9th one again (my old paperback version) and loving it just as much. The characterisation of the personalities is always spot on, never jars, I don't know what else to say! I will be trying one of his non-Poldark books when i've finished these again - should be interesting.Try Googling Winston Graham Poldark map - he made his own, unfortunately, not available in a printable version, someone's missing a trick there....

I have enjoyed this fourth book in the continuing saga of Poldark. The television series has been well adapted - in some cases more interestingly - but I wish WG's dialogue between Ross and Demelza in the final pages had been used more fully, to show Ross's true sentiments towards his wife. She has so much more spirit and worth than the beautiful, but slightly vacuous Elizabeth, and it is good that Ross now realizes this.I look forward to the next chapter!

The Poldark saga continues, spanning the years 1792-94. Ross and his cousin Francis are trying to keep afloat a copper mine that they have maintained for some time. But Ross is hard put to get the necessary additional financing. Investors withdraw their support and Ross finds himself falling deeper in debt. George Warleggan firmly establishes himself in Cornish society and as an economic powerholder in Cornwall.The growing power and influence of Warleggan throughout the novel is highlighted, as are the lives of Ross & Demelza, Francis & Elizabeth Poldark, Dr. Dwight Enys (a close and trusted friend of Ross, whose radical approach to practicing medicine has made him both loved and scorned throughout the district), and Caroline Penwenen. Ross and Demelza, in particular, experience some struggles that put their marriage to the test. There are also some surprising, relationships which take root among some of the other main characters, which are described in rich and colorful detail.Once again, Winston Graham has written a novel that grips and holds the reader throughout, and ends as a cliffhanger. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

The story is developing between the Poldarks and the Warleggans and is setting up the disagreements that are continued in the future. I won't say more so as not to spoil the read for someone new, however, again compelling reading and further development of the characters both key and supporting. It certainly helps to have read from Book 1 to have a fuller understanding of the main story lines.

After viewing Poldark on the 'box' last year I bought all the novels on Kindle & worked my way through the whole series; eleven books in all! Winston Graham is so knowledgeable about Cornwall but he also includes a great deal of accurate factual detail about the development of steam engines, tin mining & the Napoleonic wars.