From the Bookshelf of Retro Chapter Chicks …

Ross Poldark (Poldark, #1)

Winston Graham

Start date: March 1, 2017

Finish date: March 31, 2017

Discussion leader: Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu

Why we're reading this: Our March member selected theme read features gems and precious metals. We're reading Ross Poldark since …more
[close] Our March member selected theme read features gems and precious metals. We're reading Ross Poldark since the family business is copper mining.

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Jul 26, 2017 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own

Some of my friends in two different groups I'm in started reading this series so I thought, let me watch a little bit of the show on Amazon Prime. Um, yeah, then I decided I needed all of the books even though there is something going to happen that I didn't like but let the pictures do the talking =)

*******LET ME JUST SAY THERE WILL BE SPOILERS*******

Okay, so we have the beautiful Ross Poldark going off off to war thinking he would be coming home to his wonderful Elizabeth that he had fell in ...more

256 likes · Like · see review

Apr 02, 2017 Candi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, historical-fiction, kindle-book-i-own

4.5 stars rounded up

"A wet October evening is depressing, but it drapes some soft shadows on the rough edges of ruin and decay. Not so the light of morning."

Captain Ross Poldark is eager to return to his land and his love after fighting for the British in the Revolutionary War. He is jolted into reality when he finds that with the death of his father, his property has been neglected and ruined, and that his beloved is now engaged to his cousin. It will require much hard work and determination i 4.5 stars rounded up

"A wet October evening is depressing, but it drapes some soft shadows on the rough edges of ruin and decay. Not so the light of morning."

Captain Ross Poldark is eager to return to his land and his love after fighting for the British in the Revolutionary War. He is jolted into reality when he finds that with the death of his father, his property has been neglected and ruined, and that his beloved is now engaged to his cousin. It will require much hard work and determination if he is to save his estate and rebuild all that has been precious to his family. Regarding the girl, well that will take a different sort of resolve to face this reversal in his fortune.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve immersed myself in a saga such as this, and I am ready to see this one through to the end! If the first book is any indication, then this series is going to be excellent and well worth the commitment! The Cornwall landscape is somehow so very alluring to my travel-hungry imagination, and the descriptions here are beautiful. The characters are developed skillfully and the differing social classes from the gentry to the mineworkers are well-drawn. I love Ross’s interactions with the people that earn their living by working his land or by submerging themselves in the depths of the earth in order to bring copper ore to the surface. He’s not above sitting and having a drink with these rougher sorts of men and is bold enough to stand up for those that cannot defend themselves, despite the risk of gossip that such acts inevitably attract. "He wondered if the real world was that one in which men fought for policies and principles and died or lived gloriously – or more often miserably – for the sake of an abstract word like patriotism or independence, or if reality belonged to the humble people and the common land."

I was thoroughly entertained with my introduction to Ross Poldark and all the other wonderful people I have met during my excursion to late eighteenth century Cornwall. I look forward to spending more time with loyal cousin Verity, carefree Demelza, unpredictable Aunt Agatha, and of course the unconventional (and yes, somewhat irresistible!) Ross - and a host of others as well. Am I a fan of the television series? Well, having just finished episode one of the first season, I am happy to say yes indeed! I have a bit of catching up to do, and it is safe to say that I am hooked! I highly recommend the book (and most likely the series) for lovers of historical fiction and engaging family sagas. ...more

120 likes · Like · see review

Mar 30, 2017 Kris (My Novelesque Life) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, historical-romance, war, britain, saga, made-into-a-tv-series

I am a big fan of British mysteries, comedies and dramas so it is no surprise that I am a fan of Masterpiece Theater. I recorded Poldark when it appeared on PBS and enjoyed the series, but did find it a bit on the slow side. I heard that there was also another “mini-series” done in the 1970s. I knew that both were based on a book so I looked it up and saw that the first book was published in 1945 (post-world war II) and the last book was published in 2002. I was really curious in reading Ross Po I am a big fan of British mysteries, comedies and dramas so it is no surprise that I am a fan of Masterpiece Theater. I recorded Poldark when it appeared on PBS and enjoyed the series, but did find it a bit on the slow side. I heard that there was also another “mini-series” done in the 1970s. I knew that both were based on a book so I looked it up and saw that the first book was published in 1945 (post-world war II) and the last book was published in 2002. I was really curious in reading Ross Poldark and suggested it for my online reading group. It won the poll so I was motivated in reading it.

RATING: 4.5 STARS
1945 (Reissued: 2015); Pan/Sourcebook Landmark

"Cornwall, 1783-1787
Tired from a grim war in America, Ross Poldark returns to his land and family, only to find his father has died, his estate is derelict, and the girl he loved is engaged to another. But then he rescues a half-starved urchin girl and takes her home; an act which, it turns out, will alter his life." (From Publisher)

I started this book thinking it would an okay family saga, but was really surprised on how much I loved this book. For me it was a bit like the first moment I read Outlander. I could reread this book a few time like I did with Outlander. it is because I really connected with this novel. The character development throughout the book was so well-written. You were given more than just a snippet of the person and their life. Throughout the book we would visit key characters and learn more about them this way. Ross is what I would call a "Bronte/Austen" hero in that he is brooding, flawed but also wants redemption. I liked him as a character and a hero. I was always rooting for him, but also had a bit of a crush on how he wants to help others.

Graham is also great with the dialogue and interactions between the characters. It is through different characters that we also get the whole of who Ross is. His genuine affection for his cousin Verity shows his sensitive caring ways. You see the vulnerability and yet strength when he interacts with Elizabeth. I also liked that Graham did not turn characters in caricatures or one dimensional. Even the "villains" and "quirky" characters have all sides. I wanted to have constant hate-on with Elizabeth but you do see how she gets the way she does and I end up feeling pity for her.

Books defined as "sagas" can either be angsty dramas, sex and gossip or really gripping portraits. Or it is for me. This one worked for me because it was well-researched in the historical time it took place. You didn't just get the sense of the time, but what was going on in those days - politics, social norms, courtships, war, etc. Ross Poldark has a great mix of drama, action, romance and history. It balances out perfectly so that you just really are entertained by a well-written book. I highly recommend you just try this book as it may be better than you think it will.

My Novelesque Life ...more

33 likes · Like · see review

Feb 22, 2017 debbicat *made of stardust* rated it it was amazing

Shelves: buddy-read, 2017-reads

Buddy read with some friends in The Reading for Pleasure Book Club.
I had not seen the series on Masterpiece - but, I had friends who liked it.
I joined the buddy read late. Everyone was already on to the second book. After I read some of the discussion I decided this might be something I would like, tho, it is not my typical read.
All of that said, I am hooked and in for the remainder of the series. I just loved this. The characters are so well fleshed out. You really get to know them. My favor ...more

23 likes · Like · see review

Jun 03, 2017 Tasha rated it really liked it

I don't know what it is but this book was good. It's not fast paced or exciting but something about it draws you in and keeps you reading. It took me two attempts to get going but this second time was better, maybe it was mood. I'm curious to see where this story goes so I'll be reading the next in the series. I'm also going to be checking out the series on tv. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review