Poldarks Cornwall

This book has some truly gorgeous photographs of Cornwall, as well as being informative about the history of its towns, the mining districts, and the Cornish character as the author knew it. I think I understand a little why the 1-star reviewer was so unhappy with this book. It's not a straightforward book *just* about the Poldark novels and/or the Poldark TV series. The author is very discreet in giving the reader his thoughts about the two television series made from his 8-book "Poldark" saga (at the time this book was written, Mr. Graham hadn't continued the series beyond "The Angry Tide"). He's very gracious regarding some unfortunate changes that were made by the scriptwriters for the first four books (season one of the "Poldark" TV series). Still, Mr. Graham's dissatisfaction with the filming of the first series comes through. The second series was, for him, a happier and better creation. Mr. Graham's description of how he came to create the fictional characters of Ross Poldark, Demelza, George Warleggan, et al. - who or what in Cornwall, or in Mr. Graham's life, inspired these characters and certain situations from the novels - is more incidential; these stories are worked into Mr. Graham's descriptions of what living in Cornwall has meant in his life and into the historical background of Cornwall that he's providing. In that respect it may have been a sort of misnomer to have called the book "Poldark's" Cornwall, because it's more "Winston's Graham's" Cornwall. (But it wouldn't have sold as many copies with that title!) Although I can see why the other reviewer would have been disappointed, I don't personally find this book disappointing. In fact, I really enjoyed it. For me it "works" as a companion to the Poldark books, but more importantly as a glimpse into Mr. Graham's working and personal life; what Cornwall gave to him, and what he (very fortunately) gave back to his readers.

Anyone who has seen the Masterpiece Theater series "Poldark" or anyone who has read the Poldark Series books by Winston Graham, needs to have a copy of the book 'Poldark's Cornwall'. Mr. Graham goes into detail about the characters in his stories, the history about their names, for example Ross Poldark's wife was named after the Cornish village of Demelza. There are pictures and history of several grand Cornish houses that were used in the TV Series. He explores the coast line of Cornwall, which was very central to the stories. Mr. Graham also tells us how after a lapse of years, thinking he was done writing about the Poldarks, he started thinking about them and wondering what was happening to them in their 'futures'. Thus came a whole new series following their lives from where he had stopped. The characters were as alive to him as they were to many of us. All in all the book is a wonderful companion for any Poldark fan or fanatic.