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The Poldark Saga #9
The Miller's Dance
The ninth volume in the incomparable Poldark saga - a hero, a heritage, a historyCornwall, 1812: At Nampara, the Poldark family finds the new year brings involvement in more than one unexpected venture. For Ross and Demelza there is some surprising - and worrying - news. And Clowance, newly returned from her London triumphs, finds that her entanglement with Stephen Carrington brings not only happiness but heartache. As the armies battle in Spain, and the political situation at home becomes more obscure daily, the Poldark and Warleggan families find themselves thrust into a turbulent new era as complex and changing as the patterns of The Miller's Dance...
476 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1982
697 people are currently reading
5458 people want to read
About the author
Winston Graham
214 books1,117 followersWinston Graham was the author of forty novels. His books have been widely translated and the Poldark series has been developed into two television series, shown in 22 countries. Six of Winston Graham's books have been filmed for the big screen, the most notable being Marnie, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Winston Graham was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) and in 1983 was invested an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). In his death, he left behind a son and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
January 23, 2019
4.5
"… when people fall in love, merit, goodness, kindness are not what ‘tis always determined by. And we cannot think for others. We cannot feel for others…"
The Miller’s Dance brings me through book nine in the exceptional Poldark series. And, I am happy to say, it’s just as addicting as ever! This book continues where the last one left off - examining the lives and loves of the younger generation. I admit that I was a little skeptical initially about being introduced to a new set of characters, fearing that my old, true friends would be left behind. My hesitations were groundless, however, because author Winston Graham does not abandon the older, beloved generation. I sense he was not ready to cast them aside himself!
What Graham does so masterfully is make the reader really care for his people, to feel their aches and joys right along with them. And what can be more painful, at times, than young love? It seems no one is left unscathed by this intense emotion.
"It was like being in a period of health – almost having forgotten one’s ill health – and then suddenly recognizing a stirring of pain again, a pain which one knew to be incurable, deep down, reminding one in the midst of happiness that for some complaints there is no cure."
This installment unearthed an exciting and promising discovery, revealed a joyous surprise, and took me on an adventure filled with heaps of tension! I was alternately nervous and elated. Characters are neither black nor white, and that moral gray area is often examined in these novels. One minute you may find yourself swearing at a favorite character, the next you may realize you have been subconsciously rooting for the villain! This is the stamp of excellent writing and storytelling all wrapped up in one (or in this case, twelve books). If you have any inclination to sink your teeth into this series, then don’t hesitate any longer. I’ll be singing praises for another three novels, but then you will need to rely on others to convince you if I haven’t yet succeeded!
"You don’t live to be safe, Ross. You live to be alive, to take a deep breath of the air and to know your heart is beating!"
"… when people fall in love, merit, goodness, kindness are not what ‘tis always determined by. And we cannot think for others. We cannot feel for others…"
The Miller’s Dance brings me through book nine in the exceptional Poldark series. And, I am happy to say, it’s just as addicting as ever! This book continues where the last one left off - examining the lives and loves of the younger generation. I admit that I was a little skeptical initially about being introduced to a new set of characters, fearing that my old, true friends would be left behind. My hesitations were groundless, however, because author Winston Graham does not abandon the older, beloved generation. I sense he was not ready to cast them aside himself!
What Graham does so masterfully is make the reader really care for his people, to feel their aches and joys right along with them. And what can be more painful, at times, than young love? It seems no one is left unscathed by this intense emotion.
"It was like being in a period of health – almost having forgotten one’s ill health – and then suddenly recognizing a stirring of pain again, a pain which one knew to be incurable, deep down, reminding one in the midst of happiness that for some complaints there is no cure."
This installment unearthed an exciting and promising discovery, revealed a joyous surprise, and took me on an adventure filled with heaps of tension! I was alternately nervous and elated. Characters are neither black nor white, and that moral gray area is often examined in these novels. One minute you may find yourself swearing at a favorite character, the next you may realize you have been subconsciously rooting for the villain! This is the stamp of excellent writing and storytelling all wrapped up in one (or in this case, twelve books). If you have any inclination to sink your teeth into this series, then don’t hesitate any longer. I’ll be singing praises for another three novels, but then you will need to rely on others to convince you if I haven’t yet succeeded!
"You don’t live to be safe, Ross. You live to be alive, to take a deep breath of the air and to know your heart is beating!"
September 28, 2019
In this 9th volume of a 12-book series, the Poldarks are front and center as they should be. Time has moved on throughout this series and the focus in the novel is on the younger generation.
The young-adult Poldarks and Warleggans are friends and acquaintances with each other and others in their circle. One young man is still fighting in the war against Napoleon who is still intent on capturing the entire world for France’s glory. Another young man is highly involved in the emerging steam engine industry, specifically where it comes to revolutionizing the pumps needed to keep the mines free of water. He also dreams of using steam engines to power road vehicles.
There are romances, and some appear to flourish while others fail. We learn the depths of these young people’s hearts as well as their dreams and ambitions.
This is a chapter of the Poldark saga that is a challenge to review because revealing what makes it special leads to spoilers. Suffice it to say that Winston Graham’s epic story takes on new dimensions for both the original characters and the younger generation that follows.
Great writing and a notable addition to an impressive saga that informs as well as entertains, I recommend this novel (and indeed the entire series) for those who enjoy historical fiction at its best.
The young-adult Poldarks and Warleggans are friends and acquaintances with each other and others in their circle. One young man is still fighting in the war against Napoleon who is still intent on capturing the entire world for France’s glory. Another young man is highly involved in the emerging steam engine industry, specifically where it comes to revolutionizing the pumps needed to keep the mines free of water. He also dreams of using steam engines to power road vehicles.
There are romances, and some appear to flourish while others fail. We learn the depths of these young people’s hearts as well as their dreams and ambitions.
This is a chapter of the Poldark saga that is a challenge to review because revealing what makes it special leads to spoilers. Suffice it to say that Winston Graham’s epic story takes on new dimensions for both the original characters and the younger generation that follows.
Great writing and a notable addition to an impressive saga that informs as well as entertains, I recommend this novel (and indeed the entire series) for those who enjoy historical fiction at its best.
April 25, 2017
Another 5 star rating for the 9th book in the Poldark series. The author continues to improve with age as he relates his tale of the Poldark and Warleggan clans along with their progeny during the Napoleonic Wars.
Ross Poldark's lovely daughter Clowance had fallen for the dashing Stephen Carrington and plans to marry. Clowance is conflicted as she begins to finally see the many character flaws her intended possesses. Will common sense prevail or will Clowance follow her heart?
Ross's son Jeremy has fallen head over heels for a local aristocrat Cuby Trevanion.
I kept wondering how to pronounce Cuby's name...Cuby to rhyme with Ruby or Cubby? I decided to go with Cubby as Cuby is a rather bizarre name and not very pleasing to the ears.
Cuby also reminds me of an elderly Uncle of mine that pronounced Cuba as Cuber...but I digress.
Let's just say Jeremy deserves better than the spoiled Miss Cuby but the young man's hormones seem to be overruling his brain as they are prone to do when a man is young.
Once again villain George Warleggan manages to unwittingly ruin Jeremy's romance with Cuby as he plots to arrange the marriage of his only son Valentine to the titled young lady. Cuby's family might be titled but they are also broke so George Warleggan is determined to finally join the ranks of the upper class and leave his nouveau riche and gauche ways behind; no matter what the cost.
The snotty Cuby tells Jeremy he's not rich enough to marry her as her family is depending on her to improve their financial prospects.
Jeremy plots his revenge against George Warleggan and the final pages of this book are thrilling to read as his plans come to fruition. Will Jeremy prevail against his ancient enemy George Warleggan or ruin his own life instead?
Once again Winston Graham brings Cornwall to life and I can't wait to begin book 10.
Ross Poldark's lovely daughter Clowance had fallen for the dashing Stephen Carrington and plans to marry. Clowance is conflicted as she begins to finally see the many character flaws her intended possesses. Will common sense prevail or will Clowance follow her heart?
Ross's son Jeremy has fallen head over heels for a local aristocrat Cuby Trevanion.
I kept wondering how to pronounce Cuby's name...Cuby to rhyme with Ruby or Cubby? I decided to go with Cubby as Cuby is a rather bizarre name and not very pleasing to the ears.
Cuby also reminds me of an elderly Uncle of mine that pronounced Cuba as Cuber...but I digress.
Let's just say Jeremy deserves better than the spoiled Miss Cuby but the young man's hormones seem to be overruling his brain as they are prone to do when a man is young.
Once again villain George Warleggan manages to unwittingly ruin Jeremy's romance with Cuby as he plots to arrange the marriage of his only son Valentine to the titled young lady. Cuby's family might be titled but they are also broke so George Warleggan is determined to finally join the ranks of the upper class and leave his nouveau riche and gauche ways behind; no matter what the cost.
The snotty Cuby tells Jeremy he's not rich enough to marry her as her family is depending on her to improve their financial prospects.
Jeremy plots his revenge against George Warleggan and the final pages of this book are thrilling to read as his plans come to fruition. Will Jeremy prevail against his ancient enemy George Warleggan or ruin his own life instead?
Once again Winston Graham brings Cornwall to life and I can't wait to begin book 10.
September 19, 2018
I don't know how Winston Graham does it, but this is another excellent installment of my beloved Poldark family. This time around:
Ross and Demelza, there's life in those old bones yet, way to go!
Clowance, excellent decision, stick to your guns.
Jeremy, that was a close one, hope it works out for you.
Bella, I know we'll be hearing more from you in the future.
And on a personal note, I am getting a LOT of satisfaction from George Warleggan's dissatisfaction with his second marriage. I badly want this man to get what's coming to him.
Ross and Demelza, there's life in those old bones yet, way to go!
Clowance, excellent decision, stick to your guns.
Jeremy, that was a close one, hope it works out for you.
Bella, I know we'll be hearing more from you in the future.
And on a personal note, I am getting a LOT of satisfaction from George Warleggan's dissatisfaction with his second marriage. I badly want this man to get what's coming to him.
June 4, 2017
4.5 stars. Just a tad short of the best books in the series.
According to William Shakespeare (and who would know better than he?), “The course of true love never did run smooth.” Not a trace of smooth sailing for the lovers and would-be lovers in The Miller’s Dance. Graham, in his inimitable style, weaves us a tale of snags that range from lack of interest on someone’s part to uncontrollable circumstances that seemingly cannot be overcome. The only lovers who are contented here are the old ones.
This is the ninth installment in the series, and I know these characters so well by now that I should be able to predict their next move. The fact that I cannot, but that the unpredictability never steps outside the bounds of the character that Winston Graham has told me these people have, is a real testament to his skill and imagination as a storyteller.
I have become just as enthralled and anxious over the second generation of Poldarks as I was over the first. I'm glad, however, that Graham did not drop the early characters (as long sagas often do) and has continued to include Ross, Demelza and even the reprehensible George in meaningful ways.
I have been buying and reading these novels in groups of three, and I am sorry to say that when I take the next book in hand I will have entered that last trilogy. I would never have expected to take on a series with twelve books, but I am very glad I decided to read this one. Highly recommended to any and all, but especially those who enjoy knowing the characters that people a world long gone and immersing themselves in the history of another time.
According to William Shakespeare (and who would know better than he?), “The course of true love never did run smooth.” Not a trace of smooth sailing for the lovers and would-be lovers in The Miller’s Dance. Graham, in his inimitable style, weaves us a tale of snags that range from lack of interest on someone’s part to uncontrollable circumstances that seemingly cannot be overcome. The only lovers who are contented here are the old ones.
This is the ninth installment in the series, and I know these characters so well by now that I should be able to predict their next move. The fact that I cannot, but that the unpredictability never steps outside the bounds of the character that Winston Graham has told me these people have, is a real testament to his skill and imagination as a storyteller.
I have become just as enthralled and anxious over the second generation of Poldarks as I was over the first. I'm glad, however, that Graham did not drop the early characters (as long sagas often do) and has continued to include Ross, Demelza and even the reprehensible George in meaningful ways.
I have been buying and reading these novels in groups of three, and I am sorry to say that when I take the next book in hand I will have entered that last trilogy. I would never have expected to take on a series with twelve books, but I am very glad I decided to read this one. Highly recommended to any and all, but especially those who enjoy knowing the characters that people a world long gone and immersing themselves in the history of another time.
April 10, 2025
lovely jubbly
March 27, 2016
"There was an old miller who lived by himself,
He ground his corn and taxed the sun.
The money he made he put on a shelf,
But when he came to count his wealth:
One...two...three...it was gone!"
This was the Miller's Dance. The Miller's Dance. And the Miller, her miller, was somehow here among them, like an unshriven spirit.
This installment not only gives us lots of Ross and Demelza (I love them both so much) - it also reveals some of the challenges of their two oldest children, Jeremy and Clowance.
The bitter rage that had driven him to organize this thing had burnt itself out in the performance of the act. His anger, his frustration, had blinkered him to normal consideration of right and wrong and risk.
Now it was over, and successfully over; yet all that was left in his heart was ashes.
This author is a master at weaving a story.
They waited by the stile, and then went in to dinner all together, laughing and joking, a cheerful and a united family.
Hurriedly moving on to the 10th book in the series!!
He ground his corn and taxed the sun.
The money he made he put on a shelf,
But when he came to count his wealth:
One...two...three...it was gone!"
This was the Miller's Dance. The Miller's Dance. And the Miller, her miller, was somehow here among them, like an unshriven spirit.
This installment not only gives us lots of Ross and Demelza (I love them both so much) - it also reveals some of the challenges of their two oldest children, Jeremy and Clowance.
The bitter rage that had driven him to organize this thing had burnt itself out in the performance of the act. His anger, his frustration, had blinkered him to normal consideration of right and wrong and risk.
Now it was over, and successfully over; yet all that was left in his heart was ashes.
This author is a master at weaving a story.
They waited by the stile, and then went in to dinner all together, laughing and joking, a cheerful and a united family.
Hurriedly moving on to the 10th book in the series!!
March 2, 2015
The story begins along a Cornish beach in February 1812. Ross Poldark and his family, along with some close friends and several members of his mining company (all hard-working men) await the arrival by sea of a steam engine to be used in mining operations. Britain is in a somewhat precarious state, what with social unrest in the north caused by the displacement of workers by the growth of industry and the uncertainty of the long, protracted war with Napoleon who bestrides Europe like a Colossus. Only in the Iberian Peninsula, where British forces under Arthur Wellesley, assisted by an assortment of Spanish and Portuguese units, are contesting French control is there a sliver of hope of frustrating and driving Napoleon back into France.
Here the Poldark children --- namely Jeremy and Clowance --- take center stage in this novel. Jeremy, who has become highly knowledgeable about the design, manufacture, and use of steam engines, has lost his heart to Cuby Trevanion, who hails from an old, distinguished family in Cornwall that has fallen on hard times. Cuby's guardian, her older brother Major Trevanion, whose penchant for drink and gambling has heavily indebted the family, took an instant dislike to Jeremy. (Besides, the Poldarks, though from a longstanding name and highly esteemed in the community --- and Ross, also a Member of Parliament ---- for the Major could not offer enough money to bring the Trevanions safely out of debt.) Nevertheless, Jeremy tries, when occasion allows in the shape of an opera or social outing where he knew Cuby would be present, to find whatever time he could for a tete-a-tete with her. Cuby rebuffs his subtle advances, though the reader is given reason to suspect that she may have feelings for Jeremy. But, appreciating her family's indebtedness and having a deep, filial loyalty and love for her oldest brother the Major, she made clear to Jeremy that she would be willing to accede to any future plans the Major may have for marrying her to a comfortably wealthy man, whose fortune would ensure lasting financial security for the Trevanion family.
So long as it was unclear whom would be Cuby's prospective husband, Jeremy maintained a thin thread of optimism that perhaps, with some time, patience, and an improvement in his own fortunes through work at the mine and the fruition of his plans for developing steel engines for use in overland transport --- he would sway Cuby to his side. But towards the end of the year, Jeremy is in for a rude awakening.
Clowance is dating Stephen Carrington, a devil-may-care, fun-loving, hard working sort of man. (Stephen's natural element is the sea, where he served on a privateer. But finding himself in somewhat straitened circumstances upon arriving in Cornwall, he, with Ross's help, gets a job working on the land, as well as for the Poldark mining company. All the while, Stephen is biding his time til he can get back to sea, this time with his own ship.) He exudes an animal magnetism that she finds hard to resist, for Stephen is quite unlike any other man she has met. Both become set on marriage. But theirs is not an easy relationship for a host of reasons. Both Clowance and Steven would face a number of challenges that will leave their relationship considerably strained by the New Year.
In the meantime, the Poldarks weather some changes of their own, Ross ponders whether or not to remain in Parliament, and Napoleon's status as the Colossus of Europe is seriously challenged both in the Iberian Peninsula and Eastern Europe. So the novel ends on a somewhat hopeful note in January 1813 with the Poldarks enjoying a break in the wintry weather with a stroll on the beach, savoring the balmy breezes and lightly clouded sky above the sea.
Here the Poldark children --- namely Jeremy and Clowance --- take center stage in this novel. Jeremy, who has become highly knowledgeable about the design, manufacture, and use of steam engines, has lost his heart to Cuby Trevanion, who hails from an old, distinguished family in Cornwall that has fallen on hard times. Cuby's guardian, her older brother Major Trevanion, whose penchant for drink and gambling has heavily indebted the family, took an instant dislike to Jeremy. (Besides, the Poldarks, though from a longstanding name and highly esteemed in the community --- and Ross, also a Member of Parliament ---- for the Major could not offer enough money to bring the Trevanions safely out of debt.) Nevertheless, Jeremy tries, when occasion allows in the shape of an opera or social outing where he knew Cuby would be present, to find whatever time he could for a tete-a-tete with her. Cuby rebuffs his subtle advances, though the reader is given reason to suspect that she may have feelings for Jeremy. But, appreciating her family's indebtedness and having a deep, filial loyalty and love for her oldest brother the Major, she made clear to Jeremy that she would be willing to accede to any future plans the Major may have for marrying her to a comfortably wealthy man, whose fortune would ensure lasting financial security for the Trevanion family.
So long as it was unclear whom would be Cuby's prospective husband, Jeremy maintained a thin thread of optimism that perhaps, with some time, patience, and an improvement in his own fortunes through work at the mine and the fruition of his plans for developing steel engines for use in overland transport --- he would sway Cuby to his side. But towards the end of the year, Jeremy is in for a rude awakening.
Clowance is dating Stephen Carrington, a devil-may-care, fun-loving, hard working sort of man. (Stephen's natural element is the sea, where he served on a privateer. But finding himself in somewhat straitened circumstances upon arriving in Cornwall, he, with Ross's help, gets a job working on the land, as well as for the Poldark mining company. All the while, Stephen is biding his time til he can get back to sea, this time with his own ship.) He exudes an animal magnetism that she finds hard to resist, for Stephen is quite unlike any other man she has met. Both become set on marriage. But theirs is not an easy relationship for a host of reasons. Both Clowance and Steven would face a number of challenges that will leave their relationship considerably strained by the New Year.
In the meantime, the Poldarks weather some changes of their own, Ross ponders whether or not to remain in Parliament, and Napoleon's status as the Colossus of Europe is seriously challenged both in the Iberian Peninsula and Eastern Europe. So the novel ends on a somewhat hopeful note in January 1813 with the Poldarks enjoying a break in the wintry weather with a stroll on the beach, savoring the balmy breezes and lightly clouded sky above the sea.
November 4, 2015
Everything about the Stephen Carrington character is loathsome. Valentine's only a bit better. So, about half the book focuses on people you pray will be struck dead by a bolt from Zeus.
February 12, 2016
I held my breath a lot during this book and muttered phrases like "don't go down the mine alone!" and "don't listen to him!" I guess I've come to care about these characters, perhaps a little too much. It is because I was emotionally invested in the outcome and the writing is superb that I gave this book 4 stars instead of 3. I couldn't give it 5 stars because it wasn't quite as engaging as some of the others. Ross and Demelza serve as patriarch and matriarch and have maintained their wit and affection for each other. They have several sweet moments. Stephen Carrington who seems not quite honorable, but not quite roguish, shows some selflessness in a relationship with a woman in which he has nothing to gain. As much as his character makes me uncomfortable, I am still intrigued by him. I wanted to see more Valentine--he's very friendly and outgoing and seems quite charming but also completely self-centered and hedonistic. I enjoyed hearing of Geoffrey Charles, but wanted him to come home to Cornwall already!
October 6, 2019
**This review actually refers to five books in this series: Stranger From the Sea, The Miller's Dance, The Loving Cup, The Twisted Sword & Bella Poldark**
I really have no clue what rock I was living under....I have no excuse. But, up until recently, I had no idea the Poldark series on television is based on a series of books! I love sweeping historical family sagas. I have no earthly clue how I missed this one! Rectifying the situation immediately!
There are 12 books in the Poldark Saga, written by Winston Graham from 1945-2002. The books are set in Cornwall, starting with Ross Poldark in 1783 and ending with Bella Poldark in 1820.
It's official -- I love this series! And I'm reading my way through all of the books before I watch the television series. I have a rule that before I can watch a film or television adaptation, I have to read the books first. Then I'm acquainted with the characters and can see what they changed/added/kept true to the original, etc. There are actually two Poldark television series. One from BBC in the 1970s that serialized the first seven books. And then the newer series that started in 2015. There have been five seasons of the new show. I can't wait to watch it! Still reading my way through the books first...and enjoying every page!
The four books listed here are books #8-12 of the series. I had review copies of all 5 novels and read them cover to cover. Binge read them, to be honest. I love the characters...the setting....the history. I had to stop periodically and look some things up as I'm not familiar with the time period or history of Cornwall at all. The one problem with reviewing books is that I'm under a deadline. With historical fiction or family sagas, I like to take my time and let the story sink in and savor the characters. But with five books to read, and not having read the first books in the series beforehand, I was a bit lost in names, places, etc. The story was enough to carry me through! I loved every book!
I'm backtracking now and reading the series from the start....and I will re-read these books when I come back around to them. I will have an even better understanding of the characters and history during my second reading! And then I can watch the television show. I'm curious which books it has already covered and which ones are upcoming -- whether it stays true to the books or goes off course, etc.
Great books! I highly recommend this series to any readers who enjoy historical fiction, family sagas, and just history in general!
Love, love, love! :) Here are some extra exclamation points in case I did not make it clear that I enjoy this series: !!!!!!!!
**I read review copies of these novels from St Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
I really have no clue what rock I was living under....I have no excuse. But, up until recently, I had no idea the Poldark series on television is based on a series of books! I love sweeping historical family sagas. I have no earthly clue how I missed this one! Rectifying the situation immediately!
There are 12 books in the Poldark Saga, written by Winston Graham from 1945-2002. The books are set in Cornwall, starting with Ross Poldark in 1783 and ending with Bella Poldark in 1820.
It's official -- I love this series! And I'm reading my way through all of the books before I watch the television series. I have a rule that before I can watch a film or television adaptation, I have to read the books first. Then I'm acquainted with the characters and can see what they changed/added/kept true to the original, etc. There are actually two Poldark television series. One from BBC in the 1970s that serialized the first seven books. And then the newer series that started in 2015. There have been five seasons of the new show. I can't wait to watch it! Still reading my way through the books first...and enjoying every page!
The four books listed here are books #8-12 of the series. I had review copies of all 5 novels and read them cover to cover. Binge read them, to be honest. I love the characters...the setting....the history. I had to stop periodically and look some things up as I'm not familiar with the time period or history of Cornwall at all. The one problem with reviewing books is that I'm under a deadline. With historical fiction or family sagas, I like to take my time and let the story sink in and savor the characters. But with five books to read, and not having read the first books in the series beforehand, I was a bit lost in names, places, etc. The story was enough to carry me through! I loved every book!
I'm backtracking now and reading the series from the start....and I will re-read these books when I come back around to them. I will have an even better understanding of the characters and history during my second reading! And then I can watch the television show. I'm curious which books it has already covered and which ones are upcoming -- whether it stays true to the books or goes off course, etc.
Great books! I highly recommend this series to any readers who enjoy historical fiction, family sagas, and just history in general!
Love, love, love! :) Here are some extra exclamation points in case I did not make it clear that I enjoy this series: !!!!!!!!
**I read review copies of these novels from St Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
October 18, 2024
I’m sure there cannot be another long series that matches up to the quality Poldark. As soon as I return to Cornwall, I feel like I’m visiting family. I will probably finish this series in the next 6 months and then want to start all over again!
January 26, 2025
Book 9 of my favorite Cornwall saga did not disappoint. Graham continues to get at my emotions and allows me to get swept away in the sagas he creates with this new generation of Poldarks and Warleggans. I am extremely invested in Ross and Demelza’s children, Jeremy and Clowance, who are of age to find mates and make lives for themselves. I feel for their desires and am eager to see where Graham takes them in life and love. Valentine Warleggan is cunning and carefree, a playboy to the end, it would seem. With George raising him, I’m not surprised that he wants to sew his oats, but one wonders as what cost?
We aren’t completely devoid of the older Poldark generation. Graham does a fabulous job of giving us his favored characters an older and wiser characterization, one which I am enjoying, being at that stage of life myself. I love coming back to visit Cornwall and am quite happy to have 3 more books to go. It won’t be easy to finish it up but I am bound to do that this year. I look forward to what is in store next as Graham loves to leave his readers with a cliff hanger of sorts!
We aren’t completely devoid of the older Poldark generation. Graham does a fabulous job of giving us his favored characters an older and wiser characterization, one which I am enjoying, being at that stage of life myself. I love coming back to visit Cornwall and am quite happy to have 3 more books to go. It won’t be easy to finish it up but I am bound to do that this year. I look forward to what is in store next as Graham loves to leave his readers with a cliff hanger of sorts!
July 3, 2015
Holy crap. I've been hoping Stephen Carrington would disappear before Clowance could be stuck with him. Such a creep, and I've winced through every bit he's appeared in. Paul is not much better, the whiny git.
So now I have a whole new reason to feel uneasy. Damnitall, Jeremy... What were you thinking?
And the Warleggans. At least George isn't entirely happy now he's married. I do wonder if he'll be cuckolded by Valentine before we're done, though.
So now I have a whole new reason to feel uneasy. Damnitall, Jeremy... What were you thinking?
And the Warleggans. At least George isn't entirely happy now he's married. I do wonder if he'll be cuckolded by Valentine before we're done, though.
October 1, 2015
I was disappointed with this book. Yes, the way Graham tells a story is still beautiful. Yes, I am still happily learning history, geography and other interesting facts that are woven throughout the story. But I feel like I am being slowly weaned off Ross and Demelza since book 7, and that is disappointing.
The story of Steven Carrington and Clowance was interesting and held my attention. The story of Jeremy and Cuby was also interesting. I feel like George and Ross are being put out to pasture and ignored due to their advancing age. Yes, in the 19th century life expectancy was mid 40s, and they are past that age, but it feels a bit like the author was a little bored with them and felt it was time to move on.
The plot line developed toward the end of the book with Paul, Steven and Jeremy disturbed me a great deal and did not seem to mesh with Jeremy's character. I found myself skipping over quite a bit of the coach ride and was happy when it was over. The future does not bode well for Jeremy and I am also worried about Demelza.
Still enough good interest to override the bad. I can't quit the Poldarks!
The story of Steven Carrington and Clowance was interesting and held my attention. The story of Jeremy and Cuby was also interesting. I feel like George and Ross are being put out to pasture and ignored due to their advancing age. Yes, in the 19th century life expectancy was mid 40s, and they are past that age, but it feels a bit like the author was a little bored with them and felt it was time to move on.
The plot line developed toward the end of the book with Paul, Steven and Jeremy disturbed me a great deal and did not seem to mesh with Jeremy's character. I found myself skipping over quite a bit of the coach ride and was happy when it was over. The future does not bode well for Jeremy and I am also worried about Demelza.
Still enough good interest to override the bad. I can't quit the Poldarks!
June 16, 2017
What I love most about Winston Graham is his ability to write characters that are true to life. The Miller's Dance, the ninth book in the Poldark series, is filled with heartache, happiness, and chaos; the stuff that real life is made of.
Impossible to predict and impossible to put down. This novel reads like real life. I've been around long enough to know that when you're living life it can sometimes feel like absolute chaos. It's later on, when you're 50+ in years, you begin to realize that the chaos is just the fabric of your life being woven - your very own tapestry in the making. That's the reason I keep reading this series. Winston Graham has written one well-crafted novel after another and when I'm 80, I hope I look back and find that my own life reads like one of his well written novels.
I would have to say this installment focuses heavily on the unfavorable outcomes of thwarted love. Of course, there is so much more than that but I don't want to give away any surprises. I know that I'm going to read the final three books in this series because I don't want to miss anything. I'll share the tears as long as I get to feel the warmth of the smiles. Joys and sorrows are both part of life. I just want to stay immersed in this saga as long as possible because I know and love these people. Well, not George - I don't love George. And, not Valentine. I am not sure about Stephen. Enough. On to The Loving Cup. And by the way, four and a half stars.
Impossible to predict and impossible to put down. This novel reads like real life. I've been around long enough to know that when you're living life it can sometimes feel like absolute chaos. It's later on, when you're 50+ in years, you begin to realize that the chaos is just the fabric of your life being woven - your very own tapestry in the making. That's the reason I keep reading this series. Winston Graham has written one well-crafted novel after another and when I'm 80, I hope I look back and find that my own life reads like one of his well written novels.
I would have to say this installment focuses heavily on the unfavorable outcomes of thwarted love. Of course, there is so much more than that but I don't want to give away any surprises. I know that I'm going to read the final three books in this series because I don't want to miss anything. I'll share the tears as long as I get to feel the warmth of the smiles. Joys and sorrows are both part of life. I just want to stay immersed in this saga as long as possible because I know and love these people. Well, not George - I don't love George. And, not Valentine. I am not sure about Stephen. Enough. On to The Loving Cup. And by the way, four and a half stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2016
Winston Graham steps it up a notch in The Miller's Dance. To me this was the high point of the series.
December 20, 2016
*SPOILER ALERT!*
So great to have Winston Graham, and the Poldarks, return to their earlier usual form, after a so-so turn in Stranger From the Sea! This book is a gem from start to finish, and I can't wait to start the next one. From the surprising news of another little Poldark to Jeremy's daring involvement in a burglary, this book is one great scene after another.
I was horrified to read about Stephen's engagement to Clowance, especially after he pressures her about sex. I still don't know quite what to make about Stephen...I think he is an inveterate liar (lots of inconsistencies in his past) but is also quite open about what he wants and what he'll do to get it, and his work ethic and ambition are admirable. He's very shady, but also very lively and fresh, the latter of which would certainly appeal to Clowance more than the genteel drawing room claptrap most young men of her "class" espouse. Other than that and his apparent good looks, I don't know what she (and the other Poldarks) sees in him.
Lady Harriet is a complete delight, and the sharp little thorns she continually sticks into pompous Sir George are fantastic. As for Valentine, I'm thinking there's a lot more to that young man than meets the eye, and although his father's plans for his marriage to Cuby are deliciously ironic (since Jeremy is in love with her...shades of Ross and Elizabeth!), I have a feeling they're about to go south. Interesting that the odious Osbourne Whitworth has produced an equally odious son, and I'm sure he'll be up to further mischief.
All of the scenes between the Poldarks and Enyses are just wonderful; one admires and envies the type of friendship and trust they enjoy.
Again, one day after finishing this book I simply MUST start on The Loving Cup. Long may Winston Graham rule as author of my heart!
So great to have Winston Graham, and the Poldarks, return to their earlier usual form, after a so-so turn in Stranger From the Sea! This book is a gem from start to finish, and I can't wait to start the next one. From the surprising news of another little Poldark to Jeremy's daring involvement in a burglary, this book is one great scene after another.
I was horrified to read about Stephen's engagement to Clowance, especially after he pressures her about sex. I still don't know quite what to make about Stephen...I think he is an inveterate liar (lots of inconsistencies in his past) but is also quite open about what he wants and what he'll do to get it, and his work ethic and ambition are admirable. He's very shady, but also very lively and fresh, the latter of which would certainly appeal to Clowance more than the genteel drawing room claptrap most young men of her "class" espouse. Other than that and his apparent good looks, I don't know what she (and the other Poldarks) sees in him.
Lady Harriet is a complete delight, and the sharp little thorns she continually sticks into pompous Sir George are fantastic. As for Valentine, I'm thinking there's a lot more to that young man than meets the eye, and although his father's plans for his marriage to Cuby are deliciously ironic (since Jeremy is in love with her...shades of Ross and Elizabeth!), I have a feeling they're about to go south. Interesting that the odious Osbourne Whitworth has produced an equally odious son, and I'm sure he'll be up to further mischief.
All of the scenes between the Poldarks and Enyses are just wonderful; one admires and envies the type of friendship and trust they enjoy.
Again, one day after finishing this book I simply MUST start on The Loving Cup. Long may Winston Graham rule as author of my heart!
December 16, 2019
This book opens where the last left off and continues on to New Year's Day 1813. Ross is settled into middle age and family life. He will be glad to resign from the House and stay home with his Cornish wife, his Cornish acres and Cornish mines. Wheal Grace is failing but such is the cycle of mining. They'll be OK and eventually, hopefully figure something out. The children are growing up and experiencing growing pains as they fall in and out of love.
I found the plot of this novel super slow going until the end. I really only cared about things that directly affected Ross and Demelza. Dwight and Caroline are hardly in the story while Drake and Sam and their wives are mentioned but don't have anything to do. I love these characters from the show and previous books and feel attached to them but the focus has switched to the now grown children. I think Winston Graham did the reader a great disservice skipping forward 10 years. We didn't get a chance to get attached to Jeremy and Clowance or see Bella born. I just don't care enough about them to be interested in their personal stories. Also, there's way too much telling. There's so much history of war news and political events I find boring. I know all that. Read War and Peace for a detailed history of Napoleon's attempt to fight a war with Russia. The history isn't relevant to the plot except Geoffrey Charles is on the Peninsula but even then the history is just plopped right in.
Too bad Georgette Heyer died before Winston Graham got to the Regency period. He needed a lot of help with fashion details and feminine life. I need to know what Clowance is wearing, especially when she visits London and FitzMaurice. Don't tell me she's wearing red brocade because brocade was old-fashioned. It could be made over into a new style but it's still not what women were wearing.
I was delighted to see Ross finally freely admitting his deep love and respect for Demelza and being romantic. It only took 25 years! He thinks he fell in love the night they went out to see the pilchards, early in their marriage but he sure didn't act like it. She's wise, sweet, sassy and a good partner for him. I think he finally knows Elizabeth would not have made him a good wife.
He realizes he held her and the children to double standards and he relies on her and loves her. So much so... She's pregnant again! Baby #5! (This one is Henry, after an uncle of Demelza's). She's rising 42, pretty old for a gentrywoman to be giving birth. Ross is very very worried about her and not so excited about new baby because it's risky to have a baby, especially a middle-aged lady. He's worried because of what he thinks happened to Elizabeth. Poor Dwight tries to explain, without details, why it's different. Demelza survives, weak, with a tiny baby, but after 2 days Dwight is pleased with her progress and by New Year's, she's out walking on the beach and eager for Ross to return to the marriage bed.
Demelza is not as modern as in the show and that is hard to reconcile but she stands up to Ross and lets him know what she's thinking. I think it's great that she's the amorous one in the relationship now. He's being more cautious for a change. Demelza encourages Ross to stand for Parliament again even though Ross got bored with it and resigned. Her reasoning is to 1)see out the war and not let the Whigs sue for peace and 2)Keep Jeremy busy at the mines so he doesn't run away to war. I like her strategy.
Their daughter Bella is 10 and a wild child. She's spoiled and bratty. So far I don't like her.
George is so... stuffy and uptight. I keep expecting Charles Dickens to walk in (I know, he's just a small lad) and go a-ha and start scribbling down notes on the Warleggans, changing their name to Scrooge. Uncle Cary is Ebenezer to the life. George is concerned with money but also with appearing to be a gentleman. George is so... stuffy. George succeeded in his desire to wed a young widow. He lusts after her but sees himself as too much of a gentleman to propose an alternate plan. She's the sister of a Duke so hardly likely to entertain any ideas other than marriage. She doesn't seem as attracted to him as he is to her. She brings her animals with her. He is not so thrilled with that idea. Big dogs in the house!
I liked Lady Harriet at first but I agree with George that she's a bit unladylike. She's uncouth, she swears, her lets her animals run around the house without asking George if it's OK and is pally with Valentine. She spends his money and entertains lavishly. She's the complete opposite of Elizabeth yet I think she would be good for George if he let himself unbend and enjoyed life more. Elizabeth was such a cold fish- brittle with a polite facade. George worries about his wife spending his money. What is all that money for? You can't take it with you when you die and at the rate Valentine is going he'll lose it all anyway.
Valentine is into sowing his wild oats with chambermaids and flirting with pretty young wives. He resents his father a lot. Ross and Demelza worry about him cultivating a relationship with their children. They do not want him to get too friendly with Clowance. Ahem. The children think their parents are making too much of an old feud. They have no idea the real reason that would be very bad. It drives me crazy that the children don't know the whole history of the feud. They do know some of it. Demelza does eventually share some details and they do tell the children briefly about the time of extreme poverty when they pawned everything of value they owned and Ross does tell Jeremy he wanted to marry Elizabeth and she chose Francis because her parents wished it. I wish the culture of time permitted Demelza to say something like "George set out to deliberately ruin Cousin Francis. He was always jealous and wanted Elizabeth for himself. When Francis died, George made his move and convinced Elizabeth to marry him. Your father was deeply upset that his biggest rival would now inhabit his family's home and Ross would be barred from seeing his family there. George's business decisions were made to ruin your father but we survived. They still don't get along and that's that. Watch out for his son who may not have your best interests at heart."
Valentine is pretty awful. He's spoiled and has a devil-may-care attitude. He's young but is already a young man about town. Verity is worried about V's influence on her son, Andrew. History is repeating itself as a Warleggan beggars a Poldark. Also, she fears Valentine reminds her of .... Ross's father! She innocently thinks it's because he was born "premature" under a black moon.... inauspicious... he was brought up at Trenwith. She thinks it may be "psychical" like the house has possessed him.
John-Conan Osborne Goldolphin-Whitworth is the most peculiarly awful boy. At 17 he acts like he's 12. He's stupid, lazy and a glutton. His father would actually be so disappointed! Lady Whitworth spoiled him rotten. This kid made me cringe every time he was on page.
Love is in the air and there's plenty going around in the romance department and some new young people to share in the adventures.
I do not care for Stephen Carrington, the stranger from the sea. He has a chip on his shoulder because of his rough childhood. He resents the Poldarks and thinks Ross and Demelza are middle-aged fuddy duddies who clearly think he's not good enough for their daughter. His belief persists even after Demelza politely chides him for blaming his roughness on not having a mother. She tells him her own story and while he had no idea the whispers were true and she was a "miner's brat," he continues to want to cut Clowance off from her family. He wants to posses her body, her soul and her mind, curb her independence and cut her off from friends and family. This guy sounds like bad news to me. He's eager to bed her and she's eager but wants to wait for marriage. The course of true love ne'er did run smooth and I sincerely hope he makes enough money to go out as a privateer again and get killed by the French. I wouldn't feel sorry for Clowance.
Clowance is a dopey teenager in the throes of her first romance. She's lovesick and loses her spunk. She's a Cornish girl through and through. She used to run barefoot across the beach and ride her horse across the moors. She loves the mines and the people who work them. Cornwall is embedded in her soul. Stephen can't understand any of this. He's a stranger from far-away Bristol. He wants to make Clowance submissive to him and start a new life together. Stephen is older and makes himself charming to the ladies. He has a past, maybe a present. Clowance is jealous and suspicious of his friendships with the village girls and with one gentrywoman, Violet Kellow. Stephen went into the church on midsummer eve with Violet so everyone assumes they know what was happening in the church. Dopey Clowance does not understand Stephen's relationship with Violet. She doesn't try to understand Violet. She improves by the end of the book when she gets her spunk back. I love spunky Clowance, just like her mother.
Clowance's other suitor is family friend Benjy Carter. Remember Jim who went to jail for poaching, caught jail fever and Ross busted him out of prison because he was dying? After Jim died, Jinny married again for practical reasons. Ben stays with the mines, loyal to his godfather. He's a good man. Ben is introverted and a bit shy but a hard worker. Of course he knows he can't marry Clowance because of the difference in their stations but I d'believe he cares more for her as a person than Stephen. Ben knows the real Clowance and that's important to me.
Violet Kellow, Clowance's perceived rival, has a reputation in the community. She's from a middle-class family who are a bit rough around the edges. Violet is a woman who knows what she wants but she is plagued by illness. I didn't like her at first because she seemingly made a play for Clowance's man but her story is heartbreaking. I really feel for her and the decision she made regarding Stephen. In her place I would probably be tempted to ask for the same thing but too afraid to ask.
Violet's sister Daisy is interested in Jeremy. She would grant him favors if asked but with the expectation of marriage. These Kellow girls are a bit wild.
Jeremy is also a disappointment. He lacks Ross's sense of social justice, that edge, that recklessness. He's safe and boring. Jeremy is passionate about steam power. I'm mildly interested because the site where I work had a backup steam engine for one of the mills built around the time of this story. I can imagine our engineer in Jeremy's role. Jeremy would be less boring if he wasn't lovesick. The woman he loves, Cuby Trevannion, is from an old Cornish family. I can't get a good read on her. She seems to be a woman of firm convictions and strong-willed. I think she might be good for Jeremy but unfortunately, the age old problem of money springs up between them. I don't yet know what's really going on with her but her sense of duty to her brother is misplaced and it is not her fault he can't live within his means.
Wheal Grace is failing but Jeremy, Ross, Stephen and friends bought Wheal Leisure from George. Jeremy thinks a high-pressure steam engine will pump out enough water to allow them to continue working the mine. He throws himself into his steam projects to push away his broken heart.
History is repeating itself Warleggan vs. Poldark take 2. He really wants Valentine to be a gentleman complete with a country seat so... He draws up a marriage contract to marry his son off to the woman Jeremy Poldark loves. Here we go again!
Jeremy, Stephen and Paul Kellow are three young men in need of money to pursue their dreams. Paul helps his father run the family coaching business which is not doing well. I liked him up to the last section of the book. He's a better businessman than his father and actually seems to care about business. His father is rotten to make his son go around to friends begging for money. Paul needs money to save his family from ruin and he is willing to work but not trained for anything. Nursing a broken heart, Jeremy comes up with a plan. Finally, he acts reckless like his father yet this recklessness is not in pursuit of a moral goal, it's just plain STUPID. This plan is illegal and could get the three men hanged. How would that help Paul's family? That would hurt Demelza very much to lose her first born son that way. The shame would ruin his sister's chances at a good marriage too. I was deeply disappointed. I couldn't put the book down until the adventure was concluded!
Another subplot revolves around "Music" Thomas from the village. He's the village idiot- not quite a "simpleton" but not fully a man. Dwight is trying to help Thomas with his own romantic drama. Thomas is a quirky, fun character. I really like him and hope he succeeds.
One thing I noticed in these last two books is the insane amount of sexism and double standards shown as a matter of fact. Reading romance written by a man from a man's point-of-view is very different from reading a female written romance. There's not a lot of actual romance. There is a lot of men taking advantage of women, even willing women. How willing are those women when they know that man is in a position of power to help them? How willing are those maids Valentine seduced? Every time Demelza goes into society she's sexually harassed. This is the big thing I really can't stand about this time period.
I will plow on to find out what happens next. Geoffrey Charles has big news from Spain!
I found the plot of this novel super slow going until the end. I really only cared about things that directly affected Ross and Demelza. Dwight and Caroline are hardly in the story while Drake and Sam and their wives are mentioned but don't have anything to do. I love these characters from the show and previous books and feel attached to them but the focus has switched to the now grown children. I think Winston Graham did the reader a great disservice skipping forward 10 years. We didn't get a chance to get attached to Jeremy and Clowance or see Bella born. I just don't care enough about them to be interested in their personal stories. Also, there's way too much telling. There's so much history of war news and political events I find boring. I know all that. Read War and Peace for a detailed history of Napoleon's attempt to fight a war with Russia. The history isn't relevant to the plot except Geoffrey Charles is on the Peninsula but even then the history is just plopped right in.
Too bad Georgette Heyer died before Winston Graham got to the Regency period. He needed a lot of help with fashion details and feminine life. I need to know what Clowance is wearing, especially when she visits London and FitzMaurice. Don't tell me she's wearing red brocade because brocade was old-fashioned. It could be made over into a new style but it's still not what women were wearing.
I was delighted to see Ross finally freely admitting his deep love and respect for Demelza and being romantic. It only took 25 years! He thinks he fell in love the night they went out to see the pilchards, early in their marriage but he sure didn't act like it. She's wise, sweet, sassy and a good partner for him. I think he finally knows Elizabeth would not have made him a good wife.
He realizes he held her and the children to double standards and he relies on her and loves her. So much so... She's pregnant again! Baby #5! (This one is Henry, after an uncle of Demelza's). She's rising 42, pretty old for a gentrywoman to be giving birth. Ross is very very worried about her and not so excited about new baby because it's risky to have a baby, especially a middle-aged lady. He's worried because of what he thinks happened to Elizabeth. Poor Dwight tries to explain, without details, why it's different. Demelza survives, weak, with a tiny baby, but after 2 days Dwight is pleased with her progress and by New Year's, she's out walking on the beach and eager for Ross to return to the marriage bed.
Demelza is not as modern as in the show and that is hard to reconcile but she stands up to Ross and lets him know what she's thinking. I think it's great that she's the amorous one in the relationship now. He's being more cautious for a change. Demelza encourages Ross to stand for Parliament again even though Ross got bored with it and resigned. Her reasoning is to 1)see out the war and not let the Whigs sue for peace and 2)Keep Jeremy busy at the mines so he doesn't run away to war. I like her strategy.
Their daughter Bella is 10 and a wild child. She's spoiled and bratty. So far I don't like her.
George is so... stuffy and uptight. I keep expecting Charles Dickens to walk in (I know, he's just a small lad) and go a-ha and start scribbling down notes on the Warleggans, changing their name to Scrooge. Uncle Cary is Ebenezer to the life. George is concerned with money but also with appearing to be a gentleman. George is so... stuffy. George succeeded in his desire to wed a young widow. He lusts after her but sees himself as too much of a gentleman to propose an alternate plan. She's the sister of a Duke so hardly likely to entertain any ideas other than marriage. She doesn't seem as attracted to him as he is to her. She brings her animals with her. He is not so thrilled with that idea. Big dogs in the house!
I liked Lady Harriet at first but I agree with George that she's a bit unladylike. She's uncouth, she swears, her lets her animals run around the house without asking George if it's OK and is pally with Valentine. She spends his money and entertains lavishly. She's the complete opposite of Elizabeth yet I think she would be good for George if he let himself unbend and enjoyed life more. Elizabeth was such a cold fish- brittle with a polite facade. George worries about his wife spending his money. What is all that money for? You can't take it with you when you die and at the rate Valentine is going he'll lose it all anyway.
Valentine is into sowing his wild oats with chambermaids and flirting with pretty young wives. He resents his father a lot. Ross and Demelza worry about him cultivating a relationship with their children. They do not want him to get too friendly with Clowance. Ahem. The children think their parents are making too much of an old feud. They have no idea the real reason that would be very bad. It drives me crazy that the children don't know the whole history of the feud. They do know some of it. Demelza does eventually share some details and they do tell the children briefly about the time of extreme poverty when they pawned everything of value they owned and Ross does tell Jeremy he wanted to marry Elizabeth and she chose Francis because her parents wished it. I wish the culture of time permitted Demelza to say something like "George set out to deliberately ruin Cousin Francis. He was always jealous and wanted Elizabeth for himself. When Francis died, George made his move and convinced Elizabeth to marry him. Your father was deeply upset that his biggest rival would now inhabit his family's home and Ross would be barred from seeing his family there. George's business decisions were made to ruin your father but we survived. They still don't get along and that's that. Watch out for his son who may not have your best interests at heart."
Valentine is pretty awful. He's spoiled and has a devil-may-care attitude. He's young but is already a young man about town. Verity is worried about V's influence on her son, Andrew. History is repeating itself as a Warleggan beggars a Poldark. Also, she fears Valentine reminds her of .... Ross's father! She innocently thinks it's because he was born "premature" under a black moon.... inauspicious... he was brought up at Trenwith. She thinks it may be "psychical" like the house has possessed him.
John-Conan Osborne Goldolphin-Whitworth is the most peculiarly awful boy. At 17 he acts like he's 12. He's stupid, lazy and a glutton. His father would actually be so disappointed! Lady Whitworth spoiled him rotten. This kid made me cringe every time he was on page.
Love is in the air and there's plenty going around in the romance department and some new young people to share in the adventures.
I do not care for Stephen Carrington, the stranger from the sea. He has a chip on his shoulder because of his rough childhood. He resents the Poldarks and thinks Ross and Demelza are middle-aged fuddy duddies who clearly think he's not good enough for their daughter. His belief persists even after Demelza politely chides him for blaming his roughness on not having a mother. She tells him her own story and while he had no idea the whispers were true and she was a "miner's brat," he continues to want to cut Clowance off from her family. He wants to posses her body, her soul and her mind, curb her independence and cut her off from friends and family. This guy sounds like bad news to me. He's eager to bed her and she's eager but wants to wait for marriage. The course of true love ne'er did run smooth and I sincerely hope he makes enough money to go out as a privateer again and get killed by the French. I wouldn't feel sorry for Clowance.
Clowance is a dopey teenager in the throes of her first romance. She's lovesick and loses her spunk. She's a Cornish girl through and through. She used to run barefoot across the beach and ride her horse across the moors. She loves the mines and the people who work them. Cornwall is embedded in her soul. Stephen can't understand any of this. He's a stranger from far-away Bristol. He wants to make Clowance submissive to him and start a new life together. Stephen is older and makes himself charming to the ladies. He has a past, maybe a present. Clowance is jealous and suspicious of his friendships with the village girls and with one gentrywoman, Violet Kellow. Stephen went into the church on midsummer eve with Violet so everyone assumes they know what was happening in the church. Dopey Clowance does not understand Stephen's relationship with Violet. She doesn't try to understand Violet. She improves by the end of the book when she gets her spunk back. I love spunky Clowance, just like her mother.
Clowance's other suitor is family friend Benjy Carter. Remember Jim who went to jail for poaching, caught jail fever and Ross busted him out of prison because he was dying? After Jim died, Jinny married again for practical reasons. Ben stays with the mines, loyal to his godfather. He's a good man. Ben is introverted and a bit shy but a hard worker. Of course he knows he can't marry Clowance because of the difference in their stations but I d'believe he cares more for her as a person than Stephen. Ben knows the real Clowance and that's important to me.
Violet Kellow, Clowance's perceived rival, has a reputation in the community. She's from a middle-class family who are a bit rough around the edges. Violet is a woman who knows what she wants but she is plagued by illness. I didn't like her at first because she seemingly made a play for Clowance's man but her story is heartbreaking. I really feel for her and the decision she made regarding Stephen. In her place I would probably be tempted to ask for the same thing but too afraid to ask.
Violet's sister Daisy is interested in Jeremy. She would grant him favors if asked but with the expectation of marriage. These Kellow girls are a bit wild.
Jeremy is also a disappointment. He lacks Ross's sense of social justice, that edge, that recklessness. He's safe and boring. Jeremy is passionate about steam power. I'm mildly interested because the site where I work had a backup steam engine for one of the mills built around the time of this story. I can imagine our engineer in Jeremy's role. Jeremy would be less boring if he wasn't lovesick. The woman he loves, Cuby Trevannion, is from an old Cornish family. I can't get a good read on her. She seems to be a woman of firm convictions and strong-willed. I think she might be good for Jeremy but unfortunately, the age old problem of money springs up between them. I don't yet know what's really going on with her but her sense of duty to her brother is misplaced and it is not her fault he can't live within his means.
Wheal Grace is failing but Jeremy, Ross, Stephen and friends bought Wheal Leisure from George. Jeremy thinks a high-pressure steam engine will pump out enough water to allow them to continue working the mine. He throws himself into his steam projects to push away his broken heart.
History is repeating itself Warleggan vs. Poldark take 2. He really wants Valentine to be a gentleman complete with a country seat so... He draws up a marriage contract to marry his son off to the woman Jeremy Poldark loves. Here we go again!
Jeremy, Stephen and Paul Kellow are three young men in need of money to pursue their dreams. Paul helps his father run the family coaching business which is not doing well. I liked him up to the last section of the book. He's a better businessman than his father and actually seems to care about business. His father is rotten to make his son go around to friends begging for money. Paul needs money to save his family from ruin and he is willing to work but not trained for anything. Nursing a broken heart, Jeremy comes up with a plan. Finally, he acts reckless like his father yet this recklessness is not in pursuit of a moral goal, it's just plain STUPID. This plan is illegal and could get the three men hanged. How would that help Paul's family? That would hurt Demelza very much to lose her first born son that way. The shame would ruin his sister's chances at a good marriage too. I was deeply disappointed. I couldn't put the book down until the adventure was concluded!
Another subplot revolves around "Music" Thomas from the village. He's the village idiot- not quite a "simpleton" but not fully a man. Dwight is trying to help Thomas with his own romantic drama. Thomas is a quirky, fun character. I really like him and hope he succeeds.
One thing I noticed in these last two books is the insane amount of sexism and double standards shown as a matter of fact. Reading romance written by a man from a man's point-of-view is very different from reading a female written romance. There's not a lot of actual romance. There is a lot of men taking advantage of women, even willing women. How willing are those women when they know that man is in a position of power to help them? How willing are those maids Valentine seduced? Every time Demelza goes into society she's sexually harassed. This is the big thing I really can't stand about this time period.
I will plow on to find out what happens next. Geoffrey Charles has big news from Spain!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
No, no, and no again! I am not gullible enough to believe the totally unaccountable character changes.
Clowance is running after a total idiot of a boy who lacks a very primary thing: common decency. She has Ben and Tom, two lovely kind boys who she has affection for but prefers the torture of Stephen. Jeremy has the ridiculous idea to rob a bank (excuse me, what now?!), as some sort of weird sort of vengeance towards an arranged marriage. Everyone tiptoes around the ugliest character, spoiler of course that is Stephen Carrington, for no apparent reason and makes excuses for him all the time. He is one of the most vile characters I have ever read about and there is nothing charming about his roguish attitude to life and to Clowance.
I thought these few novels were supposed to set up the next generation. These characters make no sense whatsoever! We love character development but what on earth is this? I might have to finally decide to quit...
Clowance is running after a total idiot of a boy who lacks a very primary thing: common decency. She has Ben and Tom, two lovely kind boys who she has affection for but prefers the torture of Stephen. Jeremy has the ridiculous idea to rob a bank (excuse me, what now?!), as some sort of weird sort of vengeance towards an arranged marriage. Everyone tiptoes around the ugliest character, spoiler of course that is Stephen Carrington, for no apparent reason and makes excuses for him all the time. He is one of the most vile characters I have ever read about and there is nothing charming about his roguish attitude to life and to Clowance.
I thought these few novels were supposed to set up the next generation. These characters make no sense whatsoever! We love character development but what on earth is this? I might have to finally decide to quit...
April 11, 2022
Maybe not my favorite of the series, but I just love these stories and the characters.
June 20, 2021
Something has been missing from the last few Poldark novels for me, and near the end of The Miller's Dance, I realized it was Trenwith. I miss rambling in my imagination through those old halls. Hopefully, Geoffrey Charles returns to it in the next installment.
What Graham is doing with the next generation of Poldarks, Warleggans, et al is very interesting. Valentine's similarity to his (biological) grandfather, and Verity's interpretation of it, was such a creative way to deal with his parentage. Ursula may turn out to be an interesting character as well, and I hope Graham does more with her in these final books. Even though I don't like him, George was fascinating to read about in The Miller's Dance. The difference in his marriages is stark. I didn't like Elizabeth either, but she and George made such an intriguing couple. Now that Harriet has stepped in, she controls George in a much different way.
It's taken me a while to get used to the new cast of characters, and I enjoyed reading this one, but I really did miss the setting of Trenwith, which was a major player in my favorite books in this series so far. I would also appreciate less discussion of the bodies of sixteen-year-old girls through the eyes of men old enough to be their fathers, but a Warleggan's gotta Warleg, I guess. The closeness of the Poldark family as the older children approach adulthood was simply charming. Demelza is just the most wonderful character, and watching the maturity of her marriage to Ross is one of my favorite parts of the series. This volume ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I might get around to the next book faster than I usually do.
What Graham is doing with the next generation of Poldarks, Warleggans, et al is very interesting. Valentine's similarity to his (biological) grandfather, and Verity's interpretation of it, was such a creative way to deal with his parentage. Ursula may turn out to be an interesting character as well, and I hope Graham does more with her in these final books. Even though I don't like him, George was fascinating to read about in The Miller's Dance. The difference in his marriages is stark. I didn't like Elizabeth either, but she and George made such an intriguing couple. Now that Harriet has stepped in, she controls George in a much different way.
It's taken me a while to get used to the new cast of characters, and I enjoyed reading this one, but I really did miss the setting of Trenwith, which was a major player in my favorite books in this series so far. I would also appreciate less discussion of the bodies of sixteen-year-old girls through the eyes of men old enough to be their fathers, but a Warleggan's gotta Warleg, I guess. The closeness of the Poldark family as the older children approach adulthood was simply charming. Demelza is just the most wonderful character, and watching the maturity of her marriage to Ross is one of my favorite parts of the series. This volume ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I might get around to the next book faster than I usually do.
July 8, 2021
Il nono libro de "La saga di Poldark" l'ho trovato decisamente migliore del precedente - che mi aveva un bel po' delusa.
Jeremy si conferma uno dei personaggi della nuova generazione che piu mi ha colpito, ha un po' del tormento dei Poldark in sé anche se è così diverso dal padre.
Clowance, invece, si conferma la "confusa" della situazione, leggendo non riesco a provare né empatia né comprensione nei suoi riguardi.
Non so se la percezione è comune ma Stephen Carrington entra di diritto tra i personaggi odiati al pari di George Warleggan e il reverendo Whitworth. Stephen è un viscido, falso ed egoista guidato più dagli impulsi che dai sentimenti.
Per il resto Winston Graham è una penna che merita, dotato di una scrittura fluida e attraente.
Numero dieci arrivo!
Jeremy si conferma uno dei personaggi della nuova generazione che piu mi ha colpito, ha un po' del tormento dei Poldark in sé anche se è così diverso dal padre.
Clowance, invece, si conferma la "confusa" della situazione, leggendo non riesco a provare né empatia né comprensione nei suoi riguardi.
Non so se la percezione è comune ma Stephen Carrington entra di diritto tra i personaggi odiati al pari di George Warleggan e il reverendo Whitworth. Stephen è un viscido, falso ed egoista guidato più dagli impulsi che dai sentimenti.
Per il resto Winston Graham è una penna che merita, dotato di una scrittura fluida e attraente.
Numero dieci arrivo!
April 18, 2018
A strong comeback from the previous book, The Stranger from the Sea , and I'm happy to say this one was really good.
December 11, 2018
Stephen-Ugh. Love how George has no control over his new wife. She just does what she wants and has no patience for his sulks.
October 14, 2020
I will also do a video review here at my channel: http://www.youtube.com/magicofbooks
"The Miller's Dance" is book 9 in Winston Graham's "Poldark" series. It's 1812, Napoleon's armies battle in Spain, and the political climate in Britain is tense. The Poldark family takes everything day by day, worried about the safety of Geoffrey Charles, and the future of their family. Jeremy and Clowance continue to struggle with love and heartbreak, while the old Warleggan feud continues between George and Ross.
Be warned, the further I get into this series, the more SPOILERS I will incorporate.
I found "The Stranger From the Sea" to be a bit of a slow-burn catch up sort of book, where I felt a bit frustrated by the time spent filling in the ten year gap. With "The Miller's Dance," Winston Graham jumps right into events without the need to play catch up. Jeremy continues with his mining venture and still pines over the loss of Cuby, who it seems might end up marrying Valentine. Clowance returns from London after the refused proposal from Eward Fitzmaurice (damn girl, I'm still upset with you). She and Stephen finally clash after a series of incidents with Stephen that culminates with the fight between him and Ben (god, I love Ben!). I'm so glad the marriage appears to be off. I was always a bit iffy about Clowance/Stephen. Never felt like they were right together. Ross and Demelza welcome a new baby, though it's a big stress on Demelza's health (dear god, I thought Graham was going to pull a shocker and have Demelza die by childbirth). And is George having regrets about marrying Harriet? In some ways they are suited, but in others, not so much. I'm still shocked Morwenna produced that idiot John Conan. And yah, surprise marriage between Geoffrey Charles and a Spanish girl. I'm still waiting for Graham to tear out my heart and have Geoffrey Charles die during the war.
Okay, can we talk about the big thing that happens at the end of the book? So...the Three Stooges as I'm going to affectionately call them (Jeremey, Stephen, and Paul) decide, "hey, we're all angsty young men, let's rob a money box in a coach." Say what? I'm just perplexed by this whole thing. Especially Jeremy! Now, Stephen, we've known for a while how selfish he is. He wants to totally posses Clowance. All he cares about is money. And he'll do whatever he can to get both. I even understand Paul's motives to some degree, but still, I'm a bit surprised with Paul. But Jeremy...Jeremy freaking Poldark! I want to scream! This is the son of Ross Poldark! Ross did some pretty stupid things in previous books. He illegally plundering a sinking ship. He broke Jim Carter out of jail. He rescued Dwight from a French prison. All of this Ross never did with malice or with selfishness. Ross always seemed to understand right from wrong and when it felt appropriate to go against the law in the name of helping others. So I'm utterly shocked by the selfishness in the coach heist from Jeremy. And I'm sensing bad things to come. The novel ends happily. The heist went according to plan, but it can't be that easy, can it? I feel like Stephen is going to somehow mess all of this up. He's notorious for causing chaos and conflict and I feel like he's going to make a slip remark to somebody or do something to personally harm Jeremy.
Overall, I liked this book quite a bit better than "Stranger From the Sea." I felt like there was more going on, and like I mentioned, Graham jumped right into events without explanation. The Napoleonic War is intensifying. Young people are doing what young people do. People are getting older. Very excited to head into the next book.
"The Miller's Dance" is book 9 in Winston Graham's "Poldark" series. It's 1812, Napoleon's armies battle in Spain, and the political climate in Britain is tense. The Poldark family takes everything day by day, worried about the safety of Geoffrey Charles, and the future of their family. Jeremy and Clowance continue to struggle with love and heartbreak, while the old Warleggan feud continues between George and Ross.
Be warned, the further I get into this series, the more SPOILERS I will incorporate.
I found "The Stranger From the Sea" to be a bit of a slow-burn catch up sort of book, where I felt a bit frustrated by the time spent filling in the ten year gap. With "The Miller's Dance," Winston Graham jumps right into events without the need to play catch up. Jeremy continues with his mining venture and still pines over the loss of Cuby, who it seems might end up marrying Valentine. Clowance returns from London after the refused proposal from Eward Fitzmaurice (damn girl, I'm still upset with you). She and Stephen finally clash after a series of incidents with Stephen that culminates with the fight between him and Ben (god, I love Ben!). I'm so glad the marriage appears to be off. I was always a bit iffy about Clowance/Stephen. Never felt like they were right together. Ross and Demelza welcome a new baby, though it's a big stress on Demelza's health (dear god, I thought Graham was going to pull a shocker and have Demelza die by childbirth). And is George having regrets about marrying Harriet? In some ways they are suited, but in others, not so much. I'm still shocked Morwenna produced that idiot John Conan. And yah, surprise marriage between Geoffrey Charles and a Spanish girl. I'm still waiting for Graham to tear out my heart and have Geoffrey Charles die during the war.
Okay, can we talk about the big thing that happens at the end of the book? So...the Three Stooges as I'm going to affectionately call them (Jeremey, Stephen, and Paul) decide, "hey, we're all angsty young men, let's rob a money box in a coach." Say what? I'm just perplexed by this whole thing. Especially Jeremy! Now, Stephen, we've known for a while how selfish he is. He wants to totally posses Clowance. All he cares about is money. And he'll do whatever he can to get both. I even understand Paul's motives to some degree, but still, I'm a bit surprised with Paul. But Jeremy...Jeremy freaking Poldark! I want to scream! This is the son of Ross Poldark! Ross did some pretty stupid things in previous books. He illegally plundering a sinking ship. He broke Jim Carter out of jail. He rescued Dwight from a French prison. All of this Ross never did with malice or with selfishness. Ross always seemed to understand right from wrong and when it felt appropriate to go against the law in the name of helping others. So I'm utterly shocked by the selfishness in the coach heist from Jeremy. And I'm sensing bad things to come. The novel ends happily. The heist went according to plan, but it can't be that easy, can it? I feel like Stephen is going to somehow mess all of this up. He's notorious for causing chaos and conflict and I feel like he's going to make a slip remark to somebody or do something to personally harm Jeremy.
Overall, I liked this book quite a bit better than "Stranger From the Sea." I felt like there was more going on, and like I mentioned, Graham jumped right into events without explanation. The Napoleonic War is intensifying. Young people are doing what young people do. People are getting older. Very excited to head into the next book.
July 2, 2021
https://labibliotecadellibraio.blogsp...
Lungo il percorso di questa serie ho scoperto una penna quella di Graham che è stata capace di catturarmi e non riesco a fare a meno di leggere tutta la serie che la Sonzogno per mia fortuna sta pubblicando celermente, anche se ammetto di essere indietro di un libro in questo momento.
La danza del mulino è il nono romanzo della serie Poldark, siamo agli sgoccioli e non vedo l'ora di arrivare a leggere l'ultimo per capire come si concluderà la vita di questi fantastici personaggi, così ben calati nella loro storia e fautori anche del loro destino.
In questo lungo percorso siamo partiti da Ross Poldark ed oggi oltre lui e Demelza, la donna che lo accompagna in tutte le peripezie e che nel libro partorirà il loro quinto figlio, troviamo le storie di Clowance e Jeremy.
Clowance è forte, è una via di mezzo tra Ross e Demelza, è impavida, agisce senza pensare alle conseguenze, sceglie da sé la sua vita ma è anche vero che i due genitori sono sempre molto restii a interferire nella vita dei propri figli.
Jeremy è meno istintivo, è più razionale, ha una natura ragionata anche se le delusioni a cui va incontro lo porteranno a commettere diversi errori.
La danza del mulino è oramai incentrata sui figli di Ross ma non disdegna di porre la sua attenzione anche su figure che oramai fanno e sono parte integrante come Valentine Warleggan, figlio di George che dopo la morte di Elizabeth si è risposato. Non mi è mai piaciuta la figura di George e devo dire che lo stesso Graham non fa altro che dipingerlo per quello che è, un uomo infido, ambiguo, geloso di tutto e di tutti.
Ma tornando a Clowance, ci sono molti cambiamenti che la riguardano, la scelta avventata di sposare il giovane marinaio, Stephen Carrington è giunta al capoliena, anche se sono sicura che ne sentiremo ancora parlare di questo ragazzo con molti scheletri nell'armadio. E' una ragazza vivace con tanta sete di conoscenza, ma il suo cuore è troppo ballerino per capire bene cosa cercare.
Jeremy invece il suo cuore lo ha impegnato verso Cuby Trevanion che però non può essre sua, non può sposarlo, se veramente provi dei sentimenti sinceramente io non l'ho ancora capito, troppo legata alle vicende della sua famiglia, sempre in bilico tra il suo lignaccio di antica stirpe e la mancanza di liquidità che la costringe a non poter essere libera di scegliere chi amare.
Come vedete un romanzo intenso, con molti colpi di scena e con molti nodi che finalmente giungono al pettine. E Ross e Demelza? Beh nel loro insieme riescono a dare una pace e un filo logico a tutta la storia, lui uomo che non riesce a lasciar andare il suo ardore e la sua presenza nel parlamento, lei che invece testarda arriva quasi a compromettere la propria gravidanza pur di essere la donna che è sempre stata.
Ora non mi resta che leggere il decimo capitolo che ho già qui accanto a me!!!
Ringrazio la CE, Sonzogno per la copia cartacea del romanzo!!!
La saga Poldark è composta da molti libri in diverse edizioni, ho deciso di far riferimento solo alle uscite che la casa editrice Sonzogno pubblicherà, quindi vi lascio solo i link dei romanzi che ho letto finora:
#1 Ross Poldark - recensione
#2 Demelza - recensione
#3 Jeremy Poldark - recensione
#4 Warleggan - recensione
#5 La luna nera - recensione
#6 I quattro cigni - recensione
#7 La furia della marea - recensione
#8 Lo straniero venuto dal mare - recensione
#9 La danza del mulino -
Lungo il percorso di questa serie ho scoperto una penna quella di Graham che è stata capace di catturarmi e non riesco a fare a meno di leggere tutta la serie che la Sonzogno per mia fortuna sta pubblicando celermente, anche se ammetto di essere indietro di un libro in questo momento.
La danza del mulino è il nono romanzo della serie Poldark, siamo agli sgoccioli e non vedo l'ora di arrivare a leggere l'ultimo per capire come si concluderà la vita di questi fantastici personaggi, così ben calati nella loro storia e fautori anche del loro destino.
In questo lungo percorso siamo partiti da Ross Poldark ed oggi oltre lui e Demelza, la donna che lo accompagna in tutte le peripezie e che nel libro partorirà il loro quinto figlio, troviamo le storie di Clowance e Jeremy.
Clowance è forte, è una via di mezzo tra Ross e Demelza, è impavida, agisce senza pensare alle conseguenze, sceglie da sé la sua vita ma è anche vero che i due genitori sono sempre molto restii a interferire nella vita dei propri figli.
Jeremy è meno istintivo, è più razionale, ha una natura ragionata anche se le delusioni a cui va incontro lo porteranno a commettere diversi errori.
La danza del mulino è oramai incentrata sui figli di Ross ma non disdegna di porre la sua attenzione anche su figure che oramai fanno e sono parte integrante come Valentine Warleggan, figlio di George che dopo la morte di Elizabeth si è risposato. Non mi è mai piaciuta la figura di George e devo dire che lo stesso Graham non fa altro che dipingerlo per quello che è, un uomo infido, ambiguo, geloso di tutto e di tutti.
Ma tornando a Clowance, ci sono molti cambiamenti che la riguardano, la scelta avventata di sposare il giovane marinaio, Stephen Carrington è giunta al capoliena, anche se sono sicura che ne sentiremo ancora parlare di questo ragazzo con molti scheletri nell'armadio. E' una ragazza vivace con tanta sete di conoscenza, ma il suo cuore è troppo ballerino per capire bene cosa cercare.
Jeremy invece il suo cuore lo ha impegnato verso Cuby Trevanion che però non può essre sua, non può sposarlo, se veramente provi dei sentimenti sinceramente io non l'ho ancora capito, troppo legata alle vicende della sua famiglia, sempre in bilico tra il suo lignaccio di antica stirpe e la mancanza di liquidità che la costringe a non poter essere libera di scegliere chi amare.
Come vedete un romanzo intenso, con molti colpi di scena e con molti nodi che finalmente giungono al pettine. E Ross e Demelza? Beh nel loro insieme riescono a dare una pace e un filo logico a tutta la storia, lui uomo che non riesce a lasciar andare il suo ardore e la sua presenza nel parlamento, lei che invece testarda arriva quasi a compromettere la propria gravidanza pur di essere la donna che è sempre stata.
Ora non mi resta che leggere il decimo capitolo che ho già qui accanto a me!!!
Ringrazio la CE, Sonzogno per la copia cartacea del romanzo!!!
La saga Poldark è composta da molti libri in diverse edizioni, ho deciso di far riferimento solo alle uscite che la casa editrice Sonzogno pubblicherà, quindi vi lascio solo i link dei romanzi che ho letto finora:
#1 Ross Poldark - recensione
#2 Demelza - recensione
#3 Jeremy Poldark - recensione
#4 Warleggan - recensione
#5 La luna nera - recensione
#6 I quattro cigni - recensione
#7 La furia della marea - recensione
#8 Lo straniero venuto dal mare - recensione
#9 La danza del mulino -
December 9, 2019
Unfortunately, I am forced to put in the ninth book of this beloved series the middle rate. In my critique of part eight, I expressed my conviction that the sequel would be interesting but in the end, it did not seem to have happened. The older generation has been marginalized but the younger generation at the moment does not seem particularly interesting. There are, of course, some interesting developments as they reach adulthood, with the game of love bothering them and their bold plans not being exactly successful, but all that is not enough to make a very interesting book. Worst of all, this story unfolds in the midst of historical moments and the writer makes no attempt to exploit them in the plot, creating some interesting developments. Fortunately, however, our beloved old heroes are still active and continue to make this series worth reading.
Δυστυχώς είμαι υποχρεωμένος στο ένατο βιβλίο αυτής της πολύ αγαπητής μου σειράς να βάλω τη μεσαία βαθμολογία. Στην κριτική μου για το όγδοο μέρος εξέφρασα την πεποίθηση μου ότι η συνέχεια θα ήταν ενδιαφέρουσα αλλά τελικά αυτό δεν φαίνεται ότι έγινε. Η παλαιότερη γενιά έχει μπει λίγο στο περιθώριο αλλά η νεότερη γενιά για την ώρα δεν φαίνεται ιδιαίτερα ενδιαφέρουσα. Υπάρχουν, βέβαια, κάποιες ενδιαφέρουσες εξελίξεις καθώς φτάνουν στην ηλικία της ωριμότητας, με το παιχνίδι του έρωτα να τους ταλαιπωρεί και τα τολμηρά τους σχέδια να μην είναι ακριβώς επιτυχημένα αλλά όλα αυτά δεν αρκούν για να γίνουν το συστατικό ενός πολύ ενδιαφέροντος βιβλίου. Το χειρότερο είναι ότι όλη αυτή η ιστορία εκτυλίσσεται την ώρα που διαδραματίζονται ιστορικές στιγμές και ο συγγραφέας δεν κάνει καμία προσπάθεια να τις αξιοποιήσει μέσα στην πλοκή, δημιουργώντας μερικές ενδιαφέρουσες εξελίξεις. Ευτυχώς, όμως, οι παλιοί αγαπημένοι μας ήρωες είναι ακόμα ενεργοί και εξακολουθούν να κάνουν αυτή τη σειρά αξία να διαβαστεί.
Δυστυχώς είμαι υποχρεωμένος στο ένατο βιβλίο αυτής της πολύ αγαπητής μου σειράς να βάλω τη μεσαία βαθμολογία. Στην κριτική μου για το όγδοο μέρος εξέφρασα την πεποίθηση μου ότι η συνέχεια θα ήταν ενδιαφέρουσα αλλά τελικά αυτό δεν φαίνεται ότι έγινε. Η παλαιότερη γενιά έχει μπει λίγο στο περιθώριο αλλά η νεότερη γενιά για την ώρα δεν φαίνεται ιδιαίτερα ενδιαφέρουσα. Υπάρχουν, βέβαια, κάποιες ενδιαφέρουσες εξελίξεις καθώς φτάνουν στην ηλικία της ωριμότητας, με το παιχνίδι του έρωτα να τους ταλαιπωρεί και τα τολμηρά τους σχέδια να μην είναι ακριβώς επιτυχημένα αλλά όλα αυτά δεν αρκούν για να γίνουν το συστατικό ενός πολύ ενδιαφέροντος βιβλίου. Το χειρότερο είναι ότι όλη αυτή η ιστορία εκτυλίσσεται την ώρα που διαδραματίζονται ιστορικές στιγμές και ο συγγραφέας δεν κάνει καμία προσπάθεια να τις αξιοποιήσει μέσα στην πλοκή, δημιουργώντας μερικές ενδιαφέρουσες εξελίξεις. Ευτυχώς, όμως, οι παλιοί αγαπημένοι μας ήρωες είναι ακόμα ενεργοί και εξακολουθούν να κάνουν αυτή τη σειρά αξία να διαβαστεί.
December 5, 2020
Actual review: 3.75
“Life is too short to allow little things to fret.”
The Miller’s Dance is the ninth book in The Poldark Saga, and even though it’s not the strongest book, it’s definitely not the weakest.
♠ AGAIN, BUT NOT QUITE…
After the last novel in the series, which was pretty dull, this book was definitely entertaining.
It focused more on the Poldarks, which I loved, but I couldn’t help but think that the issues are situations that we have already gone through in some form or another. Maybe it’s because I don’t care much for the next generation as I did for Ross and Demelza, or maybe it’s because I realise that this series has been going on for quite some time, and even though it was interesting, I still had to force myself to continue reading in some parts.
This series seems a bit tired, but Winston Graham has a way of writing that makes you care, even though part of you really doesn’t. I will keep reading, and I hope the conclusion to the series is every bit as exciting as the beginning.
“Life is too short to allow little things to fret.”
The Miller’s Dance is the ninth book in The Poldark Saga, and even though it’s not the strongest book, it’s definitely not the weakest.
♠ AGAIN, BUT NOT QUITE…
After the last novel in the series, which was pretty dull, this book was definitely entertaining.
It focused more on the Poldarks, which I loved, but I couldn’t help but think that the issues are situations that we have already gone through in some form or another. Maybe it’s because I don’t care much for the next generation as I did for Ross and Demelza, or maybe it’s because I realise that this series has been going on for quite some time, and even though it was interesting, I still had to force myself to continue reading in some parts.
This series seems a bit tired, but Winston Graham has a way of writing that makes you care, even though part of you really doesn’t. I will keep reading, and I hope the conclusion to the series is every bit as exciting as the beginning.
January 1, 2023
I shouldn’t own books. It makes me forget to read them. This one sat half read for much of the year because library due dates pushed it to the bottom of the stack. But what would my year be without some time spent in Cornwall? I must admit the beginning of this book took some time to get into. the children are older and focused on a bit more. I wasn’t quite ready for it. But by the end I was fully into their antics and I’m excited to see what happens next.
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