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 of Demelza’s brief interlude with another man, she and Ross continue to dance around each other in an uneasy sort of truce. The early years of companionship and ease between them, the magic that drew the readers, seem to be totally gone and by this point in the series, I’m assuming it’s forever (edit: for good). Ross is now a member of Parliament, spending much of his time in London or abroad, and this seems to be his way of dealing with her possible infidelity.
As to Ross’ own infidelity, one must keep in mind that it’s easier to sin, than be sinned against. Apparently. But speaking of Ross’ sins, George Warleggan and Ross’ ex-love Elizabeth work very hard to save their own marriage, only for the entire storyline to combust in the saddest possible way. I lay that one on Ross’ doorstep.
Elizabeth’s cousin Morwenna and Demelza’s brother Drake finally have a happy ending though. Well, no they don’t. Okay sort of. Does Graham not believe in happy endings?
The reading of ‘The Angry Tide’ was tortured, unhappy and missing all of the cleverness and joy of the earliest novels. The characters of Ross and Demelza are mere sketches of themselves, the writing of them seems to have been completely forced. Unfortunately I can’t leave well enough alone because of the tragic ending and am now reading the eighth.
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The early years of companionship and ease between them, the magic that drew the readers, seem to be totally gone and by this point in the series, I’m assuming it’s forever. Ross is now a member of Parliament, spending much of his time in London or abroad, and this seems to be his way of dealing with her possible infidelity.
The honeymoon is over and now Ross and Demelza have to deal with the realities of what it takes to sustain a marriage. They cannot forever be stuck in some illusion that marriage is one long honeymoon.
As to Ross’ own infidelity, one must keep in mind that it’s easier to sin, than be sinned against. Apparently. But speaking of Ross’ sins, George Warleggan and Ross’ ex-love Elizabeth work very hard to save their own marriage, only for the entire storyline to combust in the saddest possible way. I lay that one on Ross’ doorstep.
I heartily agree. I may not like George Warleggan, but after the fourth novel, I never managed to regain any full admiration of Ross.