Unlike the previous book in the series, "Jeremy Poldark"- who was born in the last chapter- "Warleggan" is, actually, all about George Warleggan and his influence on the entire Poldark family. So I have to say that the title wasn't misleading at all as it was in the previous book.

In this fourth book, Ross plunges into a risky mining business with a couple of trustworthy friends and partners. They establish what is called Carnmore Copper Company which was a smelting company. The idea came from Ross and was supposed to link local mines and make their own profit instead of selling to the other companies for a very low price. Since Francis was STILL under Warleggan's influence (and because he felt rage toward Ross when he learned that he and Demelza took part in Verity's leaving for Captain Blamey) George somehow manages to convince Francis to give him names of everyone involved in CCC. As you may assume CCC didn't live for too long. He met each member and requested their loans in his bank to be paid back. The rest of the CCC partners simply didn't have enough money to invest. Ross is, once again, left with the only option- to work on spent mine Wheal Leisure for which George buys shares as well. Over time, Ross gets too annoyed with George's part in his mine and decides to sell his share and open a new mine with Francis.

Reconciliation and steady times didn't last too long either because, on one occasion, Francis goes down the mine and slip into one of the holes filled with water. Elizabeth writes a letter to Ross, asking if Francis has left the mine that day for he didn't come home at all after which Ross goes down the mine in search for him and finds his body floating. He makes a reference that he never learned how to swim.

The new situation throws some dark shadows on Demelza. Now when Francis is gone and Elizabeth a free woman once again she thinks that Ross will gladly return to his first love. He convinces her otherwise but implies that he is obliged to care for Elizabeth and her son- Jeffrey Charles- as well as old aunt Agatha. As time was passing by, Elizabeth realizes that her beauty is wasted by being a widow and now she also has to face the troubles of being in charge of the entire house, old and sick aunt Agatha and poverty Francis left behind. For someone of her breeding- her family was the oldest family in Cornwall- this was unacceptable and she finds herself nowhere to go when George (who always grew affection toward her) make a proposal. Of course, this was yet another betrayal for Ross but this time he tried to stop it by forcing Elizabeth into sex, hoping she will refuse George. Demelza finds out what he did and decide to give him the same grief by attenting one of the parties and starts flirting with a common friend Captain McNeil.

Everything Ross did was in vain. Elizabeth and George got married a few weeks after that.

On the other side of the story, we learn more about Dwight Enys and follow him through his dedication to work and newly presented character, an heiress Caroline Penvenen. In this book, they move their affection to another level after a few lovely encounters- they decide to run away together because Caroline's uncle never agreed to their relationship for Dwight was poor and not good enough for someone like Caroline. The escape plan goes wrong when, on the same night it supposed to happen, Dwight chooses to help Ross and his friends by warning them about the soldiers who supposed to arrest them on the shore for they were doing illegal business. Caroline sends a letter to Dwight in which she says that she's going back to London and that their relationship was never meant to be so it's better if both of them forget it ever happened. After Dwight pursued her a couple of times and was being told she has no wish to see him, he decides to join the navy as a doctor because his stay in Cornwall has no real meaning anymore.

Ross, feeling bad for their relationship because it was mainly his fault that Dwight joined the navy, he goes to London and manages to bring Caroline back to him. The two get married although it is late for Dwight to quit his navy application.

I especially liked that this book wasn't only about Ross and Demelza but also about Dwight Enys and Caroline Penvenen. Their relationship seems pretty interesting and far different than the one between our main characters. If I am to compare both men I'd say Dwight is far more honorable than Ross at this point and more likable as well, at least to me. They are completely different characters though- one being a rebel and the other one steady- so I guess you have to like them according to your own moral views.

There is speculation among fans of the series that Ross, actually, raped Elizabeth when he found out she will marry his biggest enemy- George. In the book, she does refuse sex by repeating NO and struggling to wiggle out of his arms, it is true. I tend to believe this is the main reason why she, once again, didn't choose Ross. Although he is known as a fair person who only wants justice to be done for everyone, I think he has always been too rebellious for her fine beauty.

I don't know why the writer decided to make their sexual interaction to appeal as rape because previous books were spent to build Ross as an honorable man like no other so yeah, I'm not sure I liked this situation between them.

I was surprised by Ross's and Demelza's choices after they learn of each betrayal's. From Ross's side, it was maybe to be expected. He mentioned before he's hasty but fair, but Demelza's choice to pursue the first man who showed her affection only for revenge was a little bit weird for that time period, and especially because she had a child at home. Even though she changed her mind before anything bigger happened with Captain McNeil, her choice alone was weird for her character. I don't know what to think of it.
I guess the respect Ross felt for her the entire time in the novels was now shaken. The same is with respect for his character.

Winston Mawdsley Graham OBE, born Winston Grime (30 June 1908 – 10 July 2003), was an English novelist best known for the Poldark series of historical novels set in Cornwall, though he also wrote numerous other books, including thrillers and historical novels, and three plays. Winston Graham was the author's pseudonym until he changed his name by deed poll from Grime to Graham on 7 May 1947.

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Created May 31, 2019 at 10:15am • Submit your own review...