Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Every Old is New Again: The Poldark Saga


I feel a little silly admitting this, but I've just made a connection. Poldark  has been mentioned a lot lately, and I know it's an upcoming PBS series. But I just figured out that it's not about vampires or supernatural phenomena. And it's not post-apocalyptic or dystopian. {But you understand why I might draw that conclusion from the name, right? }

But here's the strange thing. It's based on a book... a series of books, actually. And almost everyone seems to know about them. Except me. Several of my goodreads friends have even read some (or all) of them. Even more surprising, Poldark has already been made into a miniseries. Twice. In the seventies... when I was paying attention to that kind of thing. {Remember Roots?} How did I miss it?

The twelve historical novels of The Poldark Saga  were written by Winston Graham, the first four in the 1940s and 1950s. After a long pause, the series resumed in 1973 and book 12 was published in 2002.

Set in the 1780's, the main character, Ross Poldark, is a British Army officer. He returns to his home in Cornwall after the American Revolutionary War only to find that his fiancée Elizabeth Chynoweth, having believed him dead, is about to marry his cousin Francis Poldark... And it continues from there.

There's more information on the PBS website. The series begins June 21.

Have you read the books or watched the miniseries? Will you watch this new version? Should I?





24 comments:

  1. I'm not wholly objective, because this is set right on my doorstep and I remember the filming of the first series when I was still in school, but I loved the books back then and I loved the new series.

    So I'd definitely say read and watch!

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    1. Fleur - How exciting that you remember the filming of the original series! I'm impressed with the beautiful landscape in the clips I've seen. Will have to watch the series. Who know, it may even entice me to read the books.

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  2. I remember hearing about the series back in the day but not watching it, and I've never read the books. But I think I'll definitely watch the series. The trailers look good! But my decision has nothing, absolutely nothing whatsoever, to do with how gorgeous he is.

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    1. Audrey - So strange that I don't even remember hearing about it, because I was much more in tune with television back then! And no, I'm sure the physical attributes of an actor have nothing to do with your decision ;-)

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  3. I have never read the books or watched the series either. I'm looking forward to watching it on Masterpiece Theatre and I probably should pick up the books!

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    1. Laura's Reviews - I think I'll have to give this series a try, too!

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  4. I haven't heard of the series or the mini series but it does sound good! I'll have to be sure to record the first one when it comes on Masterpiece Theatre

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    1. Katherine - I'll have to get my DVR ready, too. This sounds interesting!

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  5. I am planning on recording it!

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    1. Nise' - I think I'll go that route, too.

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  6. Hey - you're not alone! I had no idea that this was based on a book (although it being a PBS series might suggest that). I'm going to have to check it out.

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    1. Lisa - Glad I'm not alone there. Think I'll check out the PBS series and decide about reading later.

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  7. JoAnn, I have not read the books but started to watch the old series on Netflix and just couldn't get into it. Watched this new series though on BBC through Tunnelbear VPN and loved it! Definitely watch it!

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    1. Peggy Ann - I will! The more I'm hearing about it, the more interested I've become.

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  8. I haven't heard about this series but if I were you, I will be reading the books AND watching the show. It sounds too good!

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    1. Athire - You know me and series, lol... not sure I would ever manage 12 books. I do think I'll watch the show though.

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  9. I loved the books and the first film series. I have been recording the second to watch this month as I'm in Cornwall for the Readiung England challenge and hoping it's as good as the first.
    Hope you will read, watch and enjoy!

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    1. Cat - Glad to know you loved the books.They'll probably go on my 'some day' list, but I'll definitely give the series a try!

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  10. Anything's bound to better than Wolf Hall! Yes, I'll be watching Poldark, and thanks for connecting some missing pieces for me.

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    1. Bellezza - Wolf Hall didn't do it for me either, but I will give Poldark a try.

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  11. I just finished the first book, and loved it! Eager to read the rest of the series, and cannot believe I missed them when I was young. I never did see the original BBC series, but the new one looks like a wonderful way to spend the summer.

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    1. JaneGS - Glad to know you loved the book... I may need to give it a try after all. Still can't believe I never heard of them way back when. It's just the type of thing I would have devoured!

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  12. I've been curious about this show. It looks like something that would be up my alley. For awhile I was confusing the promo photos for with with ones for Outlander, oops!

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    1. Melissa - I just noticed the first book in the series is available on Netgalley, and I'm tempted!

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