Near the bank were four swans, almost stationary, moving so slowly that they appeared to only be drifting with the tide. Winston Graham is back to his magnificent best with this installment in the Poldark Saga. The above quote makes it clear that the four swans (Demelza, Elizabeth, Catherine & Morwenna) may be moving slowly, gracefully, but under the surface they are paddling furiously. Three of the swans take very decisive action at this point in their lives. I don't agree with all of their ...

I intended to read this entire series last year, but you know how reading goals go. The best intentions… well, let’s not even go there!These reviews are getting harder to write because I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. Being on Book 6 of the 12-book series, the characters are well-established. As a reader, you either love some or loathe others. That’s exactly how Winston Graham wants you to feel about them – completely engrossed in the lives of Ross and Demelza, who are still creat...

I'm so glad I decided to stick with "The Four Swans" and finish it. I almost gave up halfway through. There's a truly awful, despicable man in the story, and he made me so angry I didn't want to continue! But I couldn't stop thinking about all the other characters, and I absolutely had to find out what happened to them. This book actually made me cry, which doesn't happen often. I think I've really grown attached to these characters in Winston Graham's "The Four Swans". "Near the bank were four...

Ross Poldark watches four beautiful swans on a pond and likens them to four women in his life whose connection to himself, through family links, have influenced the course of his life so far. In this sixth novel of the Poldark series, we experience those connections and links in vivid detail – and the ventures and adventures, some purposeful and some by happenstance have far-ranging consequences – and far-reaching further links and connections. Ross and Demelza themselves are tested, and the st...

Still loving them!

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 P.S. If you're looking for a captivating historical fiction read, Winston Graham's "The Four Swans" continues to be a delightful escape. Check out book reviews online for more insights!

\"… even where there is love there is misunderstanding. We try to speak to each other like through a glass, all of us.\"Either I'm getting increasingly sentimental with each passing year, or Winston Graham had special powers that shine through in his writing! Perhaps a little of both! I felt so emotional reading this book, and I might have to say this is my favorite in the series thus far. This is the sixth book in the spectacular Poldark series set in late 1700s Cornwall. Each installment has f...

Generally, I'm very hesitant to dive into a series. What often happens is you start with high hopes, but as it goes on, the writer gets lazy, runs out of ideas, or loses touch with the characters… like a TV show that's on its last legs and just making up reasons to keep going. That is absolutely NOT the case with Winston Graham. He's such a skillful and thoughtful writer that he never gives us a character inconsistency that can't be explained or that feels out of sync with what he's already told...

5 STARS Near the bank were four swans, almost stationary, moving so slowly that they appeared, only to be drifting with the tide. Each one mirrored, duplicated in the still water. It seemed sometimes that they could see their own reflections and were admiring themselves. Then one or another would break her reflection by dipping a delicate beak. Graceful things.White things. Like women.Unpredictable. Gentle. Fierce. Faithful or unfaithful. Loyal or traitorous. God who knew? I honestly c...

"Oh, Ross, will you not hold me?""Yes, he said, doing it."Please hold me and never let me go.""Nor shall I, if you give me the chance.""Not till we die. Ross, I could not live without you."What can I say that I haven't already said? This book. This series. These characters. Such a brilliant author, Winston Graham. I would have liked to have known him. Looking for the best historical fiction? Look no further than Winston Graham's novels.Previous review: The swans were moving away now, pale, dig...

The Poldark saga rolls on with "The Four Swans," and this installment really shines a light on the four key women: Demelza, Caroline, Elizabeth, and Morwenna. We also get introduced to Demelza's two younger brothers, and despite their rough start in life with their, shall we say, *interesting* father, they're shaping up to be quite the promising young men. Be warned, though: there's a heavy dose of romantic tragedy in "The Four Swans," and it gets pretty dark at times. I actually had to set the...