The novel reads like an homage to the author’s beloved Cornwall – where Cornwall is centre stage – from the sea mist to the views from the cliffs. Then there’s the charm of the Cornish dialect – a joy to read as well as hear spoken – mainly from Jed and Prudie: “Twur a poor summer for frewt” or ‘ Twas a nice chanst I didn’t swaller one of they wasps” “He skirted the field until he reached the furthest tip of Damsel Point where the low cliff climbed in ledges and boulders down to the sea, The water surged and eddied, changing colour on the shelves of dripping rocks.” From the very real Truro and Perranporth to the fictional Trenwith and Nampara with many coves and beaches in between – the scenery is so evocative you can smell and feel the sea air: For Cornwall has never been so beautifully evoked. Wise words to Elizabeth ring true of the novel for its readers – “There’s plenty of life in Cornwall if you want it”Īnd we do. The struggle of the mines and the country way of life is fascinating for the land and its people are closely tied. The work is hard and failure is not an option when so many depend on it – “On his way home Ross passed the engine house of Wheal Grace, that mine from which had come all his father’s prosperity and into which it had all returned.”īut there is hope around the corner for Ross has support from both close and unexpected quarters. Mining is a major part of the community – financially and as a way of life. The author paints a picture of life in Cornwall in the late 18th century and shows the various strands of village life and the trials and tribulations of the people who live up and down its coast. This first novel takes place and describes the events of between 17.

Well Cornwall of course is the setting as well as the main character in the novel for the original novels had the subtitle of ‘A novel of Cornwall’ and you really do get a strong feel for the time and place as well as its people in this saga.

Poldark book 1