The Shadow Queen: A Novel of Wallis Simpson: by Rebecca Dean

At the beginning of the 20th century Wallis Simpson was just an ordinary girl from an affluent family in Baltimore. By the end of it she was a subject of infamy. The woman who stole the king/defamed the royal family/scandalized the nation/was connected to Nazis/caused the abdication of (current monarch … Continue reading

The Angry Tide: A novel of Cornwall 7: by Winston Graham

I’m going to keep this one short. Shorter than most of my posts by far! I think I’m still angry. As evidenced by the title, results are starting to pour in from all corners of the novel as sins of the characters’ past catch up with them. Despite, or because … Continue reading

The Four Swans: A Novel of Cornwall 6: by Winston Graham

‘The Four Swans’ is the SIXTH Poldark novel taking place in Cornwall, England just before the year 1800. At this point in the saga, everything could be going better. This novel is strange and dark, dealing with themes of adultery, despair, suspicion and jealousy. [Skip to the end if you’re … Continue reading

The Black Moon: A Novel of Cornwall 5: by Winston Graham

I know I said I was ‘over’ these books, but I’d already ordered this one in the mail and I had nothing else to read…and who am I kidding these are addicting like a soap opera. Winston Graham took a cruel twenty year break in the writing of the Poldark … Continue reading

Warleggan: A Novel of Cornwall 4: by Winston Graham

Well, the Poldark honeymoon is over for me, and ‘Warleggan’ is mostly to blame. From an early and earnest enjoyment of the books and show on BBC/PBS, the saga has become rather strained at this point. I find myself hoping that if the show ever makes it this far that … Continue reading

Jeremy Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall 3: by Winston Graham

“There are no permanent things, only fleeting moments of warmth and companionship, precious stationary seconds in a flicker of troubled days.” A typical poignant piece of prose from ‘Jeremy’ the third Poldark book. ‘Jeremy’ Poldark picks up where the tumultuous and sad ending of ‘Demelza’ and season two of BBC/PBS … Continue reading

Demelza Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall 2: by Winston Graham

  Book two of the Poldark series continues the story of Ross Poldark: war veteran, county gentleman, mine owner, and all around moody main character. The year is now 1788, five years have passed since Ross Poldark came home from war in America to find his inheritance in ruins and … Continue reading

Ross Poldark; a Novel of Cornwall: by Winston Graham

The year is 1783 and the wild winds sweep majestically over the Cornish cliffs of southern England. A mysterious dark man stares out to sea brooding, then whips his majestic horse into gear and gallops off into the sunset. I jest, but it’s true too. This is the sometimes a … Continue reading