The Poldark book series by Winston Graham is a historical fiction series set in Cornwall, England, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The series consists of twelve novels and follows the lives of the Poldark family and their associates as they navigate the challenges of love, loss, and social change. These books contain plenty of romance, drama and heart-warming storylines, perfect for fans of The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard and Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
The series begins with the return of Ross Poldark, a former soldier who returns to his family estate in Cornwall after serving in the American Revolutionary War. Ross finds that his father has died, his family's estate is in disrepair, and his former love, Elizabeth Chynoweth, is engaged to his cousin Francis Poldark. Ross becomes determined to restore his family's fortunes and win Elizabeth's heart back.
As the series progresses, readers are introduced to a cast of complex and dynamic characters, each with their own struggles and ambitions. Ross's marriage to Demelza, a former servant girl, leads to further conflict with his upper-class peers, and his ongoing feud with the Warleggan family, a powerful and ruthless merchant family, threatens to destroy everything he has worked for. Read this epic series and discover whether Ross can overcome his feelings for Elizabeth and focus on Demelza and his family's success.
Titles in This Set:
- Ross Poldark
- Demelza
- Jeremy Poldark
- Warleggan
- The Black Moon
- The Four Swans
- The Angry Tide
- The Stranger From The Sea
- The Miller's Dance
- Bella Poldark
- The Twisted Sword
- The Loving Cup
One of the strengths of the Poldark series is its vivid and evocative portrayal of life in 18th and 19th-century Cornwall, England. Graham's descriptions of the rugged coastline, the tin mines, and the social and economic changes of the time period make the setting feel real and tangible. The series also delves into the politics and social issues of the time, such as the French Revolution, the abolition of slavery, and the rise of the industrial revolution.
Another strength of the series is its exploration of complex and nuanced characters. Ross Poldark, in particular, is a flawed and multifaceted protagonist. He is at times heroic, compassionate, and brave, but he is also impulsive, stubborn, and prone to making mistakes. Other characters, such as Demelza, Elizabeth, and George Warleggan, are also well-developed and intriguing, with their own motivations and desires.
The Poldark series has remained popular and influential. It has been adapted into multiple television series, with the most recent adaptation airing on BBC One and PBS from 2015-2019 starring Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson. It is not hard to see why this series has had such success in the UK, the US and across the world. The BBC series pulled the classic novels by Graham back into the public eye, making it the perfect time for you to pick up the book series. Whether you have watched the TV series or not, it’s hard to not get encapsulated by these charming characters and the beautiful Cornish scenery.