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

Queen Victoria’s Mysterious Daughter; A Biography of Princess Louise: by Lucinda Hawksley

Queen Victoria: the maternal dragon who gave name to the Victorian era had eight children and was none too fond of any particular one. In fact to one degree or another she managed to emotionally cripple each one well into adulthood. The child who may have given her the most … 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

Grace: by Grace Coddington

I’m sorry to say I only first heard of Grace Coddington while watching ‘The September Issue’, the fast-paced 2009 documentary behind Vogue magazine’s annual September issue- the biggest of the year. Who was this lady stomping about the place, red frizzy hair flying, growling at Anna (quelle horreur!!) who was … 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