Winston Graham Poldark Series 12 Books Collection Set

by Winston Graham

Winston Graham Polddark Collection 12 Books Set

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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Victorian, Military Fiction, Family, Romance

Paperback

First published November 9, 2015

About the author

Winston Graham was an English novelist best known for the Poldark series of historical novels set in Cornwall, though he also wrote contemporary thrillers, period novels, short stories, non-fiction, and plays. Born in Victoria Park, Manchester, he moved to Perranporth, Cornwall in 1925 and lived there for 34 years. Graham published his first novel, The House with the Stained Glass Windows, in 1934 and married Jean Williamson in 1939, who inspired the character Demelza in Poldark. During World War II, he joined the Auxiliary Coastguard Service. Graham became a member of the Society of Authors in 1945, serving as chairman from 1967 to 1969, and was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, receiving an OBE in 1983. His Poldark series began with Ross Poldark in 1945 and concluded with Bella Poldark in 2002. He wrote 30 additional novels, short stories, and non-fiction works, including the acclaimed thriller Marnie, adapted by Alfred Hitchcock in 1964. Several other novels, including The Walking Stick and Fortune Is a Woman, were adapted for film. Graham also wrote plays, some adapted from his novels. His works have been translated into 31 languages, and his autobiography, Memoirs of a Private Man, was published posthumously in 2003.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As anticipated, this 12-volume series DID keep me busy busy from August to November. I loved this series, even the 2nd generation (books 8-12) which many people reviewed as not being as good as the 1st generation (books 1-7). The only exception is the very last book, Bella, which Winston Graham could have left unwritten (that's what a lot of reviewers said, and I have to agree with them about that particular book). Books 1-7 deal with Ross Poldark and his family. I read books 1-7 back in the 80's when the Masterpiece Theater productions were aired, and loved them. Fortunately I held onto the books, as they went out of print for a while, and the new reprinted books by Sourcebooks are said to be very poorly done. I didn't know until very recently that Graham had taken up writing about the 2nd generation something like 10-15 years later. I was thrilled that I was able to get ahold of all five from used bookstores.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous books! Cried at times. Did not want to be finished. Lovely stories around a family's many struggles and successes. One dreams of a bond such as between Ross and Demelza!

[S.A. Ison · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a bit but was well worth reading. I enjoyed this saga and the development of the characters. It harkened to days long gone and a glimpse into that era. Very enjoyable.

[SaraB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read, watched the two series and the awful awful movie. I'm a huge fan.
Prepare to cry, read, and slap characters ;) It requires a great English level though, and isn't fully translated so I can't recommend it to many of my friends (I much prefer the first books)

Be prepared to switch allegiance once Ross ______. That's the only thing that bothered me so deeply I almost quit (including its consequences)

[Isolde Oneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading #1 Ross right now. Watched the 5 seasons on PBS and now want to know the real story. I understand that they have to make curves and changes but I dont have to like it. Bought these from Amazon, all 12, on Thursday at 2am and got them on Monday. $80 for all and nicely packed. I will treasure these.

[Ann James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adore Winston Graham, his humanist politics greatly appeal to me. These are not just bodice rippers! The history is well researched, characters well defined, many are flawed & Graham doesn't ask for sympathy, rather presents them as they are, warts & all. I also consider them feminist - the women do what they have to to survive, are practical but search for their true desires & surpass societal constraints of the times. I re-read most years

[tanya williams-parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read them after watching the 1st Episode on PBS! Was instantly enthralled by it and the characters. I loved the series AND the books. Incidentally, I read all the books after the 1st episode of the TV series. It was that impactful to me. Anyway, plain language, I loved the Books!! If you do watch the series, please read the Books first; you’ll get much more from the series!!

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story about family, love, struggle and even adventure. This was one of the first period drama I read and it hooked me right til the end. I watched (part of) the series but it did not compare to the page turning pace Winston Graham masterfully crafted. The Black Moon remains one of the most memorable stories I’ve ever read.

[Michal Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Poldark series by Winston Graham is my favorite book series. There’s action, adventure, love, danger, murder, intrigue, suspense, and salvation, all in the lifetime of Ross Poldark, from age 23 to his 60’s. It follows his life, the story of his marriage to Demelza, their children, loss of lives and loss of income, tragedy in the family, and overcoming challenges.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series dominated my life for 2-3 months. Couldn't put the books down. Agree with others that some books are stronger than others, but now I can't remember which ones. Considering the series as a whole, I give the books 5 stars. I was left with a longing for the story to continue--as long as the books are good.

[Kay Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the series on tv and was interested in what happened next. The tv series only covers book 1-7 so I was delighted to be able to read further into the life of this family. Excellent writing and beautiful story.

[Kelly Dobeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I missed two months of my life. Couldn't put these down.

[Kerrie-Ann ✨ bookishlybesotted · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book series I’ve ever read, and will always stay with me. One day I will re-read them all again.

[Julia Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Poldark books and dream of going back to Cornwall when reading them.

[Lori Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I hadn't read them . . . so I could have them to look forward to :)

[Kimberly Bull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Love Love!

Twists and turns!

[Sonia Hamilton-Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these books

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just finished the last book of the series, I miss these characters already! Beautifully written!

[Curious Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love all the books in the series. Well written and well researched.

[Tamie Hort]

I have received three of these books (the four swans, warleggan & the twisted sword)do i need to read these in specific order? Is is a continuation of history or can i just indulge? Tami

[Betty Mcgrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

The excellent series on Masterpiece was my initiation into the 18th century world of Ross Poldark. The sweeping scenes of the coast of Cornwall, stunning costumes, political intrigues, romances (sometimes forbidden, always interesting)...and the sheer pleasure of looking at Aiden Turner as Ross Poldark held me entranced for the first two seasons. Unable to wait for Season 3 (starting Oct. 2017) and unable to resist learning how the story ends, I ordered the 12-volume set, which has dictated how my time has been spent since its arrival. The story begins at the end of the American Revolution when Captain Ross Poldark returns to Cornwall to find his love interest, Elizabeth, engaged to his cousin, Francis. His father is dead and Nampara, the estate he has inherited in addition to copper mines, is in great disrepair. His efforts to put his life and property in order are met with constant struggles...recalcitrant servants, mines which fail to yield, a jealous banker intent on his destruction, miners and tenants whom he wishes to help, and his own rebellious nature which sabotages many of his efforts. Enter Demelza Carne, a street urchin he rescues from bullies at Redruth Fair. His decision to bring her to Nampara as a kitchen maid is the catalyst that drives the Poldark saga. This malnourished, unkempt, undisciplined, spirited miner's daughter evolves into Ross's redemption and their tumultuous, often heartbreaking journey makes for absorbing reading.

Winston Graham's masterful story begins at the end of the American Revolution and weaves its way through the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars and ends in 1820. The Poldark family wrestles with issues of class stratification, epidemics, social conventions, moral dilemmas, politics, reversals of fortune, births, deaths...an endless array of intrigues to capture the attention of the reader. His characters are richly developed; their flaws making them often likable and morally reprehensible at the same time. I turned the final page of one book only to open the first page of another. My regret is that there is no Volume 13. Lovely series!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly a fantastic bargain. Having read all of these books many years ago, when they actually came out, it is a pleasure to own them all in attractive paperback binding and in common format. In the past, I could only find them in either paperback (while the old series was underway in the 1970s) and later in a variety of formats. Bookstores didn't regularly carry them, so I had to find them at libraries and borrow rather than own. Now, I have them all at last and for a very reasonable price. --- The author began the series many decades ago, long before it was popularized with the PBS series of the 1970s. The books take you into the copper mining and commerce industries of Cornwall during the period from 1783 to 1799 -- When a relatively impoverished member of the gentry, Captain Ross Poldark returns from captivity and presumed death during service with the British Army in North America in late 1783. His improbable, but highly successful marriage to a miner's daughter and rise to eminence as a miner and leader of society in Cornwall involves the novels ROSS POLDARK, DEMELZA, JEREMY POLDARK, WARLEGGEN, BLACK MOON, FOUR SWANS and ANGRY TIDE. As a new member of Parliament near the end of this series he begins to rub shoulders with some of the nobility and national political leaders. Novels begin again with the year 1810 amid the Napoleonic Wars and on to 1820 -- STRANGER FROM THE SEA, MILLER'S DANCE, LOVING CUP, TWISTED SWORD (1815 - Battle of Waterloo) and finally concludes with BELLA POLDARK (1818-20). Poldark's children are growing up and getting into adventures and scrapes of their own. Ross rises to a Baronetcy (Warleggen is only Knight), and meets with such figures as the Prince Regent and future Prime Minister George Canning. This is a great series and Graham was masterful and accurate writer of historical fiction. At $69 for the entire set, it is a super bargain.

[LOL_BOOKS]

THE POLDARK BOOKS HAVE A LOT MORE CLASS CONFLICT IN THEM THAN I WAS EXPECTING. AT LEAST, THE FIRST ONE DOES. ALSO, I HAVE TO LOL AT THE WAYS THEY CHANGED THE ROSS/DEMELZA PLOT FOR THE TV SERIES. ON THE ONE HAND, IT WOULD BE HARD TO FILM ROSS TAKING IN A 13-YO ABUSE VICTIM AS A SERVANT WITHOUT MAKING IT LOOK CREEPY, BUT OTOH, IT MAKES IT LOOK LIKE THEY GET MARRIED AFTER A FEW MONTHS WHEN IT WAS MORE LIKE FOUR YEARS.

I'VE ONLY WATCHED SOME OF THE TV SHOW, BUT IT WAS A CLASSIC IMPOVERISHED ARISTOCRACY VS NEW MONEY BOURGEOIS DRAMA FROM THE BEGINNING.

Y, BUT THE BOOK ALSO HAS SOME PRETTY EXTENSIVE REFLECTIONS ON HOW ROSS IS A TRAITOR TO HIS CLASS BECAUSE HE'S MORE SYMPATHETIC TO THE MINERS AND FARMERS. THERE'S A BIT THAT IDTHINK IS IN THE SERIES WHERE A WORKING CLASS GUY GIVES A SPEECH ABOUT HOW UNJUST IT IS FOR SOME PEOPLE TO BE RICH WHILE OTHERS STARVE. TBF, THAT ELEMENT'S PRESENT IN THE SERIES, IT'S JUST MORE PROMINENT IN THE BOOK.

I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO THE AUDIOBOOKS, AND IN THE BOOK THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT HE RAPED HER. YOU DON'T ACTUALLY SEE THE SEX SCENE, BUT IN THE LEAD-UP SHE'S PROTESTING AND TELLING HIM TO STOP THE WHOLE TIME, AND AFTERWARDS SHE THINKS OF IT AS HIM "TAKING WHAT WAS NOT ON OFFER". IDTHINK I'M GOING TO GO ON WITH THE SERIES AFTER THE VOLUME WHERE THAT HAPPENS, TBH, BECAUSE I DOUBT HE EVER HAS TO FACE WHAT HE'S DONE. HE WAS A BIT OF A DICK BEFORE THEN, BUT THAT WAS CROSSING A LINE. >:(

[Peep1031 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished listening to the twelfth and last book in this series and I am a little sad that it is over but at the same time a little relieved to be free to move on to some other literature. This is definitely a “soap opera” series for me that kept me coming back for more. The writing was excellent and the way the author used word pictures enabled you to really have a good portrayal of the characters, the scenery, and the point in history in your mind, but at the same time I did not think it was too heavy handed.

The ending seemed to me to be more of a fading away rather than a crescendo that you would think the end of such a body of work should be. But on contemplation I am fine with it. You got the feeling the characters’ stories would continue but you would just not be able to be party to them anymore.

I rated the series 5-stars even though I only gave the individual books 4-stars, just because I really appreciate the amount of work and dedication that must have gone into creating this world.

[Chloe Liese · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books portray a tempestuous time in European history amidst the breathtaking backdrop of Cornwall, England. Character development, dialogue, descriptive language, were all delivered with expert voice. Graham's writing is approachable, engaging, and oh-so natural. The story itself is full of drama, heart, historical tidbits, and fascinating details of Cornwall and its 18th-century mining economy. Set against English's society's instability of growing financial disparity between classes and Europe's political explosiveness as it bears down on the French Revolution, this book is an incredibly multifacted historical fiction. Romance, politics, adventure, family saga. It's all here in Poldark, an epic series that is truly a must-read for historical fiction lovers.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became interested in this story because of the Masterpiece Theater TV series. I really enjoyed the story and think Winston Graham is a brilliant writer. I don't think he and I would agree on the importance of fidelity in marriage--he treats it a bit lightly for me. That's about all I can find fault with. Great adventure in reading that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read 1-6. The PBS video of these books is spot on and follows the books accurately. I found the books a bit of a slow read....lots of details. I really enjoyed the video series however and found it much more engaging than the books. The British English was a bit difficult for me to follow at times when reading.

[Deblcollier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasure to read historical fiction from an author who is both a talented writer/storyteller and a solid historian. These 12 books took me through a year when I needed an escape from reality for an hour or so each day and painted a life that my ancestors from Cornwall might have lived. Highly recommend.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I”m sad to say that I just finished the last book in this wonderful 12 book series about the Poldark family. It takes place in late 17th - early 18th century Cornwall and spans over a period of about 30-40 years. If I like a story, I want it to continue for awhile. This one did not disappoint.

[Angie Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction set in Cornwall before the French Revolution. Good history interwoven with fictional characters and stories giving you a backdrop of the culture and struggles of those days in Great Brittain. Candid perspective for both genders in dealing with the complexity of relationships.