He was particularly put out - “livid” is the word his daughter used - with the portrayal of Demelza, a character based upon his own wife, who had been converted from the vivacious tomboy of Graham’s books into a sexually loose floozy in the television adaptation. It does bear noting that, despite its popularity, the liberties taken with the original source material have been decried in more than one circle, and Graham himself initially loathed it. Not having seen this adaptation in its entirety (admittedly, its 1500 minute run-time is a factor I’m not good with arithmetic, but I believe that’s somewhere more than half a work-week), I cannot comment on it. In 1975, the BBC launched what would become a phenomenally popular adaptation of the Poldark saga starring Robin Ellis, which would encompass two series and run until 1977, drawing an estimated fifteen million viewers. Demelza, a dirt-poor but spirited young woman Ross rescues and employs as a kitchen maid, may be able to help him get his house, amongst other things, in order. Still deeply in love with Elizabeth, who now, despite her “true love’s” return, marries his wealthier cousin anyway, Ross throws himself into his work, garnering investors and reopening his mine to search for copper. Things seem bleak, but the war has been a crucible for Ross’s iron-clad character, he looks upon the care of his tenants as one of his primary responsibilities, and he is anything but idle.

Many of the aristocracy and gentry are in straitened circumstances, and the poverty-stricken tenants who rely on them for their livelihoods are on the verge of starvation. Welsh mining success and the cut-throat banking practices of the upstart, nouveau riche Warleggan family have taken their toll on the local Cornish economy. In other good news, Ross’s father has also died, leaving nothing but a crumbling estate, dilapidated mines, debt, and a couple of feckless house servants. His love, Elizabeth, has demonstrated her faithfulness by becoming engaged to his cousin, Francis.

Set during the Georgian period (the saga begins circa 1783), the first novels revolve around the titular character, Ross Poldark, just returned home to Cornwall after fighting in the American war (aka the Revolution). Graham then took a hiatus from the saga for twenty years before starting up again, with the last novel, Bella Poldark, appearing in 2002, shortly before his death. The first novel, Ross Poldark, was published in 1945, and three other books would quickly follow.

Despite this massive oeuvre, Graham is probably most famous for a single series of a dozen novels: his Poldark saga. Winston Graham was the definition of a prolific author beginning in 1934, he published at least one book a year until he died in 2003.

Poldark novel