Bella Poldark

It was as I was reading Bella Poldark, a novel I never expected to be written (The Twisted Sword seemed to end the series and it came out in 1991) that I learned of Mr. Graham's passing. The knowledge that this really, truly and for all time marked the ending of this voyage back to Cornwall of two centuries ago, made the book I had before me infinitely more meaningful. I do not think Graham intended to continue the series, even had death not taken him so soon after Bella Poldark was done. He was in his nineties and this novel is filled with omens that the end had been reached. (Ross illustrating to Demelza his thoughts on the brevity of life and futility of ongoing rancor with his remark on how in fifty years they'd all be gone and yet without them the tide would still rise to spout through the hole worn in the sea-cliff was one such example.) Graham left us with this gift of a book. It is probably the best in the section of the Poldark series since the titles "graduated" from the eighteenth to the nineteenth centuries. I read the other eleven Poldark volumes between 1995-1997 and in the years since they have frequently crossed my thoughts, along with certain unanswered questions. The lingering mystery of Valentine's paternity becomes an issue yet again and is resolved before the book's conclusion. The "curse" literal or fanciful that struck down both Stephen Carrington and Jeremy Poldark after their robbery of the Warleggan carriage emerges to inflict its harm on a participant in that long-ago event. Ross and George Warleggan verbally spar as they have done for forty years, and Bella, the beautiful, angelic-voiced final child of Demelza and Ross, takes to the stage, her spirit set on becoming an opera star. I wish the Poldark saga could have lasted forever, but since it could not, at least we had this one last visit among old friends to console us before our departure.

In this novel, the lives of the Poldark Family come full circle. As the title suggests, the novel is centered on the youngest daughter, Bella, who has her heart set on becoming an operatic singer. As in all the preceding 11 novels of the series, Graham brings to life here the feelings and sensibilities of early 19th century Cornwall, and by extension, England and Europe in the immediate post-Napoleonic era. The characters are well-drawn and you find yourself, as you read this novel, wanting to know how they'll fare at journey's end. While I enjoyed this novel, and the other 3 novels of the series I have read (I'm now reading "ROSS POLDARK", the first of the series), I felt sad to know that this is the last of the series. (As some of you may already know, Winston Graham passed away at the age of 93 this past July.) Next to James Clavell, Graham has been able to create characters in the Poldark Series - Ross & Demelza & their children, George Warleggan, Valentine Warleggan, Verity, Geoffrey-Charles, Cuby - who could take on the lives of REAL PEOPLE. Love or hate them, you could never be indifferent about these people while reading any of the Poldark novels.

In this novel, the lives of the Poldark Family come full circle. As the title suggests, the novel is centered on the youngest daughter, Bella, who has her heart set on becoming an operatic singer. As in all the preceding 11 novels of the series, Graham brings to life here the feelings and sensibilities of early 19th century Cornwall, and by extension, England and Europe in the immediate post-Napoleonic era. The characters are well-drawn and you find yourself, as you read this novel, wanting to know how they'll fare at journey's end. While I enjoyed this novel, and the other 3 novels of the series I have read (I'm now reading "ROSS POLDARK", the first of the series), I felt sad to know that this is the last of the series. (As some of you may already know, Winston Graham passed away at the age of 93 this past July.) Next to James Clavell, Graham has been able to create characters in the Poldark Series - Ross & Demelza & their children, George Warleggan, Valentine Warleggan, Verity, Geoffrey-Charles, Cuby - who could take on the lives of REAL PEOPLE. Love or hate them, you could never be indifferent about these people while reading any of the Poldark novels.

No more Ross and worse, no more Demelza. No more feud with the Warleggans. Although Graham easily has material for a whole new generation of Poldarks, apparently this is the last one. Fortunately, there's a ton of Poldark books to go back and start reading again. I can't wait.There's such a true sense of place in this series; Cornwall in the 17th/18th century is alive and so appealing. The characters are appealing, even as they appall, like Ross's enemy George Warleggan.The PBS series was grand too, but the books are better. Such a diverting relief from too much war TV.If you like the very different novels of Daphne du Maurier or, even more distinctly, the veterinary tales of James Herriot in Yorkshire, you'll find something to like here.

Five years ago I wrote the author, Winston Graham urging him continue the Poldark saga. Having read the books and watched the BBC Videos I fell in love with this series years ago. Mr. Graham responded to my letter that he was 80 years old and had always written his series three or four books at a time. this way he could have sub plots that revolved around the lives of his main characters Ross and Demelza. He further informed me that he doubted if he had enough remaining time to do another three books.I was very pleased to see that he had enough energy and intellect to provide us with this final book. It is an excellent finish to a great saga. I highly recommend this book. Would anyone like to visit Cornwall? I would.