Ross Poldark

By: Winston Graham

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 393

Published: 1945

Told in: Third Person

Series: Poldark Saga, #1

Compare to:

Persuasion, Jane Austen

Outlander, Diana Gabaldon

Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy

In a nutshell:

Set in Cornwall, 1783-1787, Ross Poldark returns from fighting in the American Revolution to find that the girl he loves is engaged to his cousin, and that his father has died leaving him a derelict estate. To forget his past love, Ross throws himself into his work. But when he finds and takes in an urchin girl life for Ross begins to change.

What you may enjoy:

This is a social historical fiction; while it mentions world events that were occurring during the period it is centered on average people instead of a war or politics. It reads like a classic without feeling like a heavy book. The characters feel real and relatable, each with their own set of flaws and strengths. If you enjoy British historical fiction about the social middle class, this book is probably a good read for you.

What you may NOT enjoy:

To quote Goodreads reviewer, Ian, this is “a moderately entertaining book about nothing.” At times there is too much detail about mining or minor characters that can simply be skimmed over. It takes more than half of the book for anything to happen. There is no real draw to encourage readers to continue reading.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Cock fight, killing one rooster; boys beat girl; boys throw rocks at man; man shot in the ankle, mentioned; man’s face cut with a bayonet, mentioned; dog’s tail cut off; two men fist fight; group of men fight; rocks thrown at man; man beats his daughter, mentioned; man hit and killed wife, mentioned; man shot at; man slapped; man punched; man shot in the hand; man shot in the neck; man stabs baby; man stabs woman; man falls from a house and dies

Sex and Nudity:

Woman seduces man; man has sex with a prostitute, mentioned several times; man looks at a girl’s naked body, non-graphic; man accused of being a pedophile; man kisses girl (mentioned at least 6 times); man takes girl’s dress off; girl wakes up in man’s bed after alluded sex; man slaps girl’s bottom

   

Language and Profanity:

Damnably 2xs; damn 7xs; damned 4xs; damme (damn) 9xs; damnation; bitch 2xs; hell 4xs; God 8xs

Drugs and Alcohol Abuse:

Man and woman get drunk regularly; man too drunk to get on his horse; man and woman passed out from drinking; man heavily intoxicated; drinking throughout; people frequently drunk 

Buy it on Amazon