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The Poldark Saga #11
The Twisted Sword
The eleventh novel in the legendary Poldark saga. Cornwall, 1815: Demelza sees a horseman riding down the valley and senses disruption to the domestic contentment she has fought so hard to achieve. For Ross has little option but to accept the summons - and travel to Paris with his family, as an "observer" of the French armed forces. Parisian life begins well with an exhilarating round of balls and parties. But the return of Napoleon brings separation, distrust and danger to the Poldarks... and always for Demelza, there is the shadow of the secret she does not even share with Ross.
660 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 1990
605 people are currently reading
5496 people want to read
About the author
Winston Graham
208 books1,115 followersWinston Graham was the author of forty novels. His books have been widely translated and the Poldark series has been developed into two television series, shown in 22 countries. Six of Winston Graham's books have been filmed for the big screen, the most notable being Marnie, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Winston Graham was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) and in 1983 was invested an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). In his death, he left behind a son and daughter.
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December 23, 2021
“She was filled with dread for the future; all the warm hopes of last year were gone and she lived in a spider’s web of sadness and suspicion. Everywhere where there had been certainty there were shifting sands. She had never felt so much alone in an alien world.”
Two things got me through Thanksgiving:
1. The Twisted Sword
2. A serious laugh out loud moment when I pulled out the vilest looking innards (liver, heart?!) from the turkey’s cavity before popping it in the oven for an overnight slow roast. I’ve done this before, but never in my life have I found a turkey neck to more closely resemble a part of the male anatomy than I have this year.
Thanks to Mr. Everhart’s turkey farm for that much needed belly laugh. And thank you to Winston Graham for this treasure of a book series that has kept me entertained through eleven books so far. Yes, eleven! Now I’m getting even more mileage out of The Twisted Sword by procrastinating the wrapping, food shopping, and other last minute holiday preparations in order to share the above juvenile thoughts!
Let me change tone for a moment, however; because I really want to share my love affair with the Poldark series. I have read and reviewed all ten previous books. It becomes increasingly difficult to say something after this long without giving away plot points that would spoil it for potential readers. Instead, I can only tell you that if these people came to my door Christmas morning (any number of them), it would be the most joyful of surprises. I would let them into my home, as if they’d been here all along. After all, it truly feels like they have by now. I would ask how they were faring. I would say that I hope with all my heart that their children, or even their grandchildren, were thriving. I’d ask after the state of the mines. Are they still yielding enough profit? Are the conditions of the miners improving a bit? Has the pain from their personal sorrows dulled some? I do hope so. What are their greatest desires for the future? Perhaps a return to Paris someday when the dust has settled after Napoleon’s return from exile and the second restoration of King Louis the XVIII? And last but not least, I would ask Demelza to sing "I’d Pluck a Fair Rose" as she did on that first Christmas with Ross. I don’t have a parlor or a piano, but no worry. She doesn’t need either as she performs naturally with beauty and grace. I’ll never forget that scene that hooked me on the series to the end. Friends, take a look on Youtube for Eleanor Tomlinson singing this. Consider it my Christmas gift to you all!
I'd a pluck a fair rose for my love
I'd a pluck a red rose blowin'
Love's in my heart, I'm tryin' so to prove
What your heart's knowin'
I'd a pluck a finger on a thorn
I'd a pluck a finger bleedin'
Red is my heart, wounded and forlorn
And your heart needin'
I'd a hold a finger to my tongue
I'd a hold a finger waitin'
My heart is sore, until it joins in song
With your heart matin'
If you love stories with soul, then please get started with book one. I have one left to go, and then I vow to start all over again one day.
"This was an evil year; there would be others that must be better. Life was to be lived – it had to go on."
Two things got me through Thanksgiving:
1. The Twisted Sword
2. A serious laugh out loud moment when I pulled out the vilest looking innards (liver, heart?!) from the turkey’s cavity before popping it in the oven for an overnight slow roast. I’ve done this before, but never in my life have I found a turkey neck to more closely resemble a part of the male anatomy than I have this year.
Thanks to Mr. Everhart’s turkey farm for that much needed belly laugh. And thank you to Winston Graham for this treasure of a book series that has kept me entertained through eleven books so far. Yes, eleven! Now I’m getting even more mileage out of The Twisted Sword by procrastinating the wrapping, food shopping, and other last minute holiday preparations in order to share the above juvenile thoughts!
Let me change tone for a moment, however; because I really want to share my love affair with the Poldark series. I have read and reviewed all ten previous books. It becomes increasingly difficult to say something after this long without giving away plot points that would spoil it for potential readers. Instead, I can only tell you that if these people came to my door Christmas morning (any number of them), it would be the most joyful of surprises. I would let them into my home, as if they’d been here all along. After all, it truly feels like they have by now. I would ask how they were faring. I would say that I hope with all my heart that their children, or even their grandchildren, were thriving. I’d ask after the state of the mines. Are they still yielding enough profit? Are the conditions of the miners improving a bit? Has the pain from their personal sorrows dulled some? I do hope so. What are their greatest desires for the future? Perhaps a return to Paris someday when the dust has settled after Napoleon’s return from exile and the second restoration of King Louis the XVIII? And last but not least, I would ask Demelza to sing "I’d Pluck a Fair Rose" as she did on that first Christmas with Ross. I don’t have a parlor or a piano, but no worry. She doesn’t need either as she performs naturally with beauty and grace. I’ll never forget that scene that hooked me on the series to the end. Friends, take a look on Youtube for Eleanor Tomlinson singing this. Consider it my Christmas gift to you all!
I'd a pluck a fair rose for my love
I'd a pluck a red rose blowin'
Love's in my heart, I'm tryin' so to prove
What your heart's knowin'
I'd a pluck a finger on a thorn
I'd a pluck a finger bleedin'
Red is my heart, wounded and forlorn
And your heart needin'
I'd a hold a finger to my tongue
I'd a hold a finger waitin'
My heart is sore, until it joins in song
With your heart matin'
If you love stories with soul, then please get started with book one. I have one left to go, and then I vow to start all over again one day.
"This was an evil year; there would be others that must be better. Life was to be lived – it had to go on."
November 28, 2018
This eleventh book in the series has done several things. It put me squarely in the middle of the battle of Waterloo, of which, of course, I knew about in a general way, but not the whys and the hows. I experienced the carnage and the cost of war, the bravery of men on both sides, and the aftermath. It proved that a character I had not particularly cared for in previous books was just as bad as I thought. It developed the personality of 13 year old Bella Poldark, who will be the star of the next book. And it broke my heart.
This family is my family now, though we are 200 years apart and different nationalities. Their happiness is my happiness, their misfortunes are my problems, their grief is shared by me. I have lived with the Poldarks for 32 years in book time and 11 months in real time. I don't know that I have ever been so involved in a fictional world. Winston Graham is a sorcerer masquerading as an author, and his magic spell has charmed me and changed me. What would Ross and Demelza do? has become my mantra, especially as they have aged and mellowed with time. I am already worried about living life without them, but I still have one more novel awaiting me.
This family is my family now, though we are 200 years apart and different nationalities. Their happiness is my happiness, their misfortunes are my problems, their grief is shared by me. I have lived with the Poldarks for 32 years in book time and 11 months in real time. I don't know that I have ever been so involved in a fictional world. Winston Graham is a sorcerer masquerading as an author, and his magic spell has charmed me and changed me. What would Ross and Demelza do? has become my mantra, especially as they have aged and mellowed with time. I am already worried about living life without them, but I still have one more novel awaiting me.
October 12, 2010
Judas God. I have never been so relieved that a major character has finally been bumped off. Stephen Carrington: Worst. Boyfriend/Husband. Ever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2025
This was about as beautifully written a novel as I have ever read. Even for Winston Graham, it was outstanding. The final conversation between Jeremy and his father had me in tears.
July 2, 2017
This volume, the eleventh in the series, is a sword that twists in your heart. Set in the last days of Bonaparte’s reign, it captures all the tension and fear that war can produce when it spills over into and affects the lives of so many people in so many countries. On a personal level for Graham's characters, it highlights all the missteps that await everyone and can wreak havoc in a heart and a life.
Graham continues to follow the second generation, but he does so without losing touch with the first. We see Demelza and Ross dealing with all the pressures, hopes and heartaches that come with having grown children and watching them feel their own ways into the future. My mother always said it was much harder having grown children than having small ones. When they are small we fear they will hurt themselves, but most of the perils are within our control. When they are grown, all the perils and choices are their own, and we often watch with a heavy heart as they seem to make all the wrong choices we have warned them against.
I will not reveal any of the plot of this book, as I have tried to reveal nothing of the specifics in any of the previous ten. I will say that I closed it with a broken heart, that mirrored the hearts of so many of the characters I have come to love. My time with the Poldarks is rapidly coming to an end and I am going to miss them. I have grown to genuinely love these very human individuals, who display all that is wonderful in humanity and all that is flawed. Winston Graham has an ability to see into the soul and not once in all these pages has he lost the thread of the story, made a character do something “out of character”, or written a superfluous word. That is approximately 5500 pages of excellent storytelling so far, and that is quite an accomplishment.
I want to thank my reading companion, Lori, who has traveled this road with me, step by step, and has made a pleasurable reading experience all the more so for being there to share it with me.
Graham continues to follow the second generation, but he does so without losing touch with the first. We see Demelza and Ross dealing with all the pressures, hopes and heartaches that come with having grown children and watching them feel their own ways into the future. My mother always said it was much harder having grown children than having small ones. When they are small we fear they will hurt themselves, but most of the perils are within our control. When they are grown, all the perils and choices are their own, and we often watch with a heavy heart as they seem to make all the wrong choices we have warned them against.
I will not reveal any of the plot of this book, as I have tried to reveal nothing of the specifics in any of the previous ten. I will say that I closed it with a broken heart, that mirrored the hearts of so many of the characters I have come to love. My time with the Poldarks is rapidly coming to an end and I am going to miss them. I have grown to genuinely love these very human individuals, who display all that is wonderful in humanity and all that is flawed. Winston Graham has an ability to see into the soul and not once in all these pages has he lost the thread of the story, made a character do something “out of character”, or written a superfluous word. That is approximately 5500 pages of excellent storytelling so far, and that is quite an accomplishment.
I want to thank my reading companion, Lori, who has traveled this road with me, step by step, and has made a pleasurable reading experience all the more so for being there to share it with me.
April 8, 2016
5 STARS
Somehow I should have known by the title. For it seems that Winston Graham has a real knack for choosing them. Here we have another heartbreaker in the series. There is no way to describe the feelings I have about the turn of events in the story without giving away key events in the plot. So I will leave that mystery for the reader.
You must know that this is Book 11 in a series of 12 books. And I must stress that these books must be read in order. One of the things I find quite interesting is that the author has written this series over the span of a lifetime. With the first book being published in 1945 and the last in 2002. And yet somehow he captures the same intensity, and the same writing style in each book. The story goes on as true to the events in the previous book as if they were written in quick succession. They follow the same characters over the span of a lifetime. His lifetime. That is Ross Poldark's. Dragging you, the reader right along with him.
I can't tell you how invested I have become in the series. I can't explain the addiction. I can only validate it's existence. I only have one book remaining, and I relish arriving at the end of the story as much as I dread it. If you decide to embark on the series yourself, I hope you enjoy the richness of this incredible story as much as I have.
I haven't reviewed every book in the series, as I was often so anxious to start the next book that I couldn't be bothered with the time for a review.
One of the things I will say about this particular book, is that there are a good bit of tedious accounts of war, that is Napoleon's war with Europe, ending at Waterloo. They are fairly detailed and incredibly heartbreaking. And while that is not normally the subject I choose to read about, the accounts were quite interesting and paramount to the story. I was shocked and awed by the dedication of these men. And heartbroken by the massive and seemingly unnecessary loss of life.
We often gloss over the very personal feelings of grief each casualty of war leaves behind. But this story brought it very close to home for me. And the graphic recollections of the survivors is beyond words.
Ok, I've said enough. I'm depressing myself just recalling it all. I will say I LOVED the ending of the book. And I'm anxious yet again to take on the next one. And sad, knowing it will be the conclusion of the series.
Deliver my soul from the sword, My only life from the power of the dog.
Somehow I should have known by the title. For it seems that Winston Graham has a real knack for choosing them. Here we have another heartbreaker in the series. There is no way to describe the feelings I have about the turn of events in the story without giving away key events in the plot. So I will leave that mystery for the reader.
You must know that this is Book 11 in a series of 12 books. And I must stress that these books must be read in order. One of the things I find quite interesting is that the author has written this series over the span of a lifetime. With the first book being published in 1945 and the last in 2002. And yet somehow he captures the same intensity, and the same writing style in each book. The story goes on as true to the events in the previous book as if they were written in quick succession. They follow the same characters over the span of a lifetime. His lifetime. That is Ross Poldark's. Dragging you, the reader right along with him.
I can't tell you how invested I have become in the series. I can't explain the addiction. I can only validate it's existence. I only have one book remaining, and I relish arriving at the end of the story as much as I dread it. If you decide to embark on the series yourself, I hope you enjoy the richness of this incredible story as much as I have.
I haven't reviewed every book in the series, as I was often so anxious to start the next book that I couldn't be bothered with the time for a review.
One of the things I will say about this particular book, is that there are a good bit of tedious accounts of war, that is Napoleon's war with Europe, ending at Waterloo. They are fairly detailed and incredibly heartbreaking. And while that is not normally the subject I choose to read about, the accounts were quite interesting and paramount to the story. I was shocked and awed by the dedication of these men. And heartbroken by the massive and seemingly unnecessary loss of life.
"If there was ever a battle fought as savagely as this, I have never known it or want to hear of it."
We often gloss over the very personal feelings of grief each casualty of war leaves behind. But this story brought it very close to home for me. And the graphic recollections of the survivors is beyond words.
Ok, I've said enough. I'm depressing myself just recalling it all. I will say I LOVED the ending of the book. And I'm anxious yet again to take on the next one. And sad, knowing it will be the conclusion of the series.
October 6, 2019
**This review actually refers to five books in this series: Stranger From the Sea, The Miller's Dance, The Loving Cup, The Twisted Sword & Bella Poldark**
I really have no clue what rock I was living under....I have no excuse. But, up until recently, I had no idea the Poldark series on television is based on a series of books! I love sweeping historical family sagas. I have no earthly clue how I missed this one! Rectifying the situation immediately!
There are 12 books in the Poldark Saga, written by Winston Graham from 1945-2002. The books are set in Cornwall, starting with Ross Poldark in 1783 and ending with Bella Poldark in 1820.
It's official -- I love this series! And I'm reading my way through all of the books before I watch the television series. I have a rule that before I can watch a film or television adaptation, I have to read the books first. Then I'm acquainted with the characters and can see what they changed/added/kept true to the original, etc. There are actually two Poldark television series. One from BBC in the 1970s that serialized the first seven books. And then the newer series that started in 2015. There have been five seasons of the new show. I can't wait to watch it! Still reading my way through the books first...and enjoying every page!
The four books listed here are books #8-12 of the series. I had review copies of all 5 novels and read them cover to cover. Binge read them, to be honest. I love the characters...the setting....the history. I had to stop periodically and look some things up as I'm not familiar with the time period or history of Cornwall at all. The one problem with reviewing books is that I'm under a deadline. With historical fiction or family sagas, I like to take my time and let the story sink in and savor the characters. But with five books to read, and not having read the first books in the series beforehand, I was a bit lost in names, places, etc. The story was enough to carry me through! I loved every book!
I'm backtracking now and reading the series from the start....and I will re-read these books when I come back around to them. I will have an even better understanding of the characters and history during my second reading! And then I can watch the television show. I'm curious which books it has already covered and which ones are upcoming -- whether it stays true to the books or goes off course, etc.
Great books! I highly recommend this series to any readers who enjoy historical fiction, family sagas, and just history in general!
Love, love, love! :) Here are some extra exclamation points in case I did not make it clear that I enjoy this series: !!!!!!!!
**I read review copies of these novels from St Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
I really have no clue what rock I was living under....I have no excuse. But, up until recently, I had no idea the Poldark series on television is based on a series of books! I love sweeping historical family sagas. I have no earthly clue how I missed this one! Rectifying the situation immediately!
There are 12 books in the Poldark Saga, written by Winston Graham from 1945-2002. The books are set in Cornwall, starting with Ross Poldark in 1783 and ending with Bella Poldark in 1820.
It's official -- I love this series! And I'm reading my way through all of the books before I watch the television series. I have a rule that before I can watch a film or television adaptation, I have to read the books first. Then I'm acquainted with the characters and can see what they changed/added/kept true to the original, etc. There are actually two Poldark television series. One from BBC in the 1970s that serialized the first seven books. And then the newer series that started in 2015. There have been five seasons of the new show. I can't wait to watch it! Still reading my way through the books first...and enjoying every page!
The four books listed here are books #8-12 of the series. I had review copies of all 5 novels and read them cover to cover. Binge read them, to be honest. I love the characters...the setting....the history. I had to stop periodically and look some things up as I'm not familiar with the time period or history of Cornwall at all. The one problem with reviewing books is that I'm under a deadline. With historical fiction or family sagas, I like to take my time and let the story sink in and savor the characters. But with five books to read, and not having read the first books in the series beforehand, I was a bit lost in names, places, etc. The story was enough to carry me through! I loved every book!
I'm backtracking now and reading the series from the start....and I will re-read these books when I come back around to them. I will have an even better understanding of the characters and history during my second reading! And then I can watch the television show. I'm curious which books it has already covered and which ones are upcoming -- whether it stays true to the books or goes off course, etc.
Great books! I highly recommend this series to any readers who enjoy historical fiction, family sagas, and just history in general!
Love, love, love! :) Here are some extra exclamation points in case I did not make it clear that I enjoy this series: !!!!!!!!
**I read review copies of these novels from St Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
July 24, 2015
In honor of the new BBC series based on Winston Graham's Poldark novels, I decided it was time to finish reading the series. I thought I had finished it decades ago, only to find out that Graham managed two write two more prior to his death in 2003. Lucky for me, because the 11th in the series, The Twisted Sword, was fabulous.
The book opens in the year 1815, when Ross Poldark is sent to Paris by the English government, to observe the political situation there. The family immerses themselves in the Parisian lifestyle, excited for an Easter reunion of extended family and friends. Then Napoleon Bonaparte, escaping from his island prison, returns to Paris and France is thrust into another war, with England opposing the returned dictator.
The Twisted Sword is a page-turner, with far more excitement and heartbreak than I would have thought possible for the 11th novel in a series of 12. There's never a dull moment with the Poldarks, and Winston Graham proved a seasoned novelist with a gift for storytelling. Loved it! 4 1/2 stars!
The book opens in the year 1815, when Ross Poldark is sent to Paris by the English government, to observe the political situation there. The family immerses themselves in the Parisian lifestyle, excited for an Easter reunion of extended family and friends. Then Napoleon Bonaparte, escaping from his island prison, returns to Paris and France is thrust into another war, with England opposing the returned dictator.
The Twisted Sword is a page-turner, with far more excitement and heartbreak than I would have thought possible for the 11th novel in a series of 12. There's never a dull moment with the Poldarks, and Winston Graham proved a seasoned novelist with a gift for storytelling. Loved it! 4 1/2 stars!
April 16, 2024
This is a continuation of the Poldark saga into the years circa 1814-1817. It's three or four storylines. All have some part of their context in the politico roles adopted by Ross and Demelza. Their position as observers in Paris and within connection to the English government during the last Napoleonic years is the starting point. Demelza is in her mid-40's and Ross about 10 years older. He becomes titled. There may be some spoiler hints now, so read no further. It's the crux of the book these ends, and these transitions.
But the family! Despite the commercial and societal success, both of these do continue- but they occur with years of deep familial price. There are deaths, and there are births. This book did not engage me as some of the earlier books did- although it had much action, and more than a few reveals. But I was never intrigued by Stephen or their oldest daughter's captivation with him. Nor was I much bedazzled by Jeremey in his choices, either. He always seemed rather disingenuous to me and not having enough risk averse logical nuggets of wisdom as his father owns so well.
It ends with adjustments to the missing and transitions to a new age. But also having George experience a huge surprise, and it doesn't seem much to his liking.
IMHO, the Poldarks were more interesting poor than they are either middle class or rich. This one holds high costume for drama if it was ever made into a movie or continuation of the series. High budget surrounds. Riding to the hunt and sea voyage segments- with particular dire outcomes here? They would be quite the visuals.
But the family! Despite the commercial and societal success, both of these do continue- but they occur with years of deep familial price. There are deaths, and there are births. This book did not engage me as some of the earlier books did- although it had much action, and more than a few reveals. But I was never intrigued by Stephen or their oldest daughter's captivation with him. Nor was I much bedazzled by Jeremey in his choices, either. He always seemed rather disingenuous to me and not having enough risk averse logical nuggets of wisdom as his father owns so well.
It ends with adjustments to the missing and transitions to a new age. But also having George experience a huge surprise, and it doesn't seem much to his liking.
IMHO, the Poldarks were more interesting poor than they are either middle class or rich. This one holds high costume for drama if it was ever made into a movie or continuation of the series. High budget surrounds. Riding to the hunt and sea voyage segments- with particular dire outcomes here? They would be quite the visuals.
September 13, 2021
I can't believe Winston Graham did that. I am very emotionally compromised now and will refrain from making any major life decisions for the next few days. Evidently, it's fine to write an insanely long historical fiction series, often focusing on marrying off various characters, until one runs out of marriageable persons, and then start . It's fine. I'm fine. There was still a wedding in The Twisted Sword. And, of course, a certain ABBA song was stuck in my head for a good portion of the book, which completely clashed with the tone of the novel, but still. The song is 16 years older than the novel, so we can't assume Graham didn't have the same earworm.
Now that I'm actually facing the final Poldark novel, I'm beginning to see how finishing this beloved series might open up my reading life. Maybe I'll finally have the bandwidth to tackle Hilary Mantel's Cromwell books, or crack open an Edith Pargeter series. Or I might mope for a while, because of course the books conclude when the historical period starts being of genuine interest to me. (Try as I do, the long 18th century is just not my favorite period of history.)
Now that I'm actually facing the final Poldark novel, I'm beginning to see how finishing this beloved series might open up my reading life. Maybe I'll finally have the bandwidth to tackle Hilary Mantel's Cromwell books, or crack open an Edith Pargeter series. Or I might mope for a while, because of course the books conclude when the historical period starts being of genuine interest to me. (Try as I do, the long 18th century is just not my favorite period of history.)
January 17, 2020
In early 1815 all of England is relieved peace has come at last. Lord Liverpool wants Ross to go on a little unofficial spying mission to Paris, bringing his family as a cover. In Paris there are new friends, new delights and a budding romance but danger lurks around the corner when Napoleon escapes from Elba. His dramatic escape causes trouble for the Poldarks and their friends and life will never be the same again. Back in Cornwall, Clowance's husband harbors secrets and George Warleggan weaves his evil web.
This is the hardest book to read since The Four Swans. The plot picks up and there's a lot to read here. There's so much heart-stopping action in this novel. I had to skim ahead to see what happened and go back and fill in the blanks. There are some gorgeously written and thought-provoking passages about war that touched my heart and broke it. If you know and love the Poldarks from the show or the books, you will experience everything they experience in this book. The ending is heart-wrenching but yet I feel it's somewhat optimistic as well. Life goes on and you learn to live again and accept change. There will be light in your life again even in the face of overwhelming grief. Winston Graham does an amazing job of taking the readers on this emotional journey.
I skipped a lot of the history of the Battle of Waterloo. I've read An Infamous Army and War and Peace. I didn't need to read all that blood and carnage again. I just wanted to know what happened to the characters and less of the history. I think Winston Graham was writing the French Revolution as someone who lived through WWII and the Cold War. The Jacobins were the Communists of their day. It's an interesting take on the French Revolution I hadn't thought of when the Revolution was shoved down my throat in high school both in French class and history class.
Ross, at 55, just wants to settle down in Cornwall with his family and farm. Wheal Grace is failing but Leisure is prospering. Yet, there's a little itch left in him, a yearning for adventure. He's not dead yet so why stop? I think Cannning and Liverpool know this and exploit it for their own political benefit. This time at least Ross keeps Demelza in the loop and takes her along. No more secrets between them except for one big one. She only has an intuition to go on but it's not a good feeling. This is something no one, not even Ross, can ever know. Ross finally confronts the issue of Valentine at the end of the book after trying to ignore it for years. I can't imagine that a man so active and intelligent could possibly be that stupid but he keeps pushing the thought away again and again until he can't anymore. He doesn't tell Demelza because she doesn't really need to know and she knows anyway. She is amazingly aware of what her husband is up to and what he's thinking. She's been so strong and so supportive of him for so long. I love how Demelza is his rock. He's finally treating her better.
Demelza continues to be incredible. She runs the household, the farm and manages the family mostly on her own. Yes there are servants but she'll never ask someone else to do for her what she can do herself. Yet a small part of her is still insecure about her origins and fears she isn't good enough or smart enough. All her fears are for naught of course because every single time she goes into Society she is sexually harassed and Paris is no exception. Her main focus is her family and making sure they are all happy. The children are growing older and away from her.
This is the hardest book to read since The Four Swans. The plot picks up and there's a lot to read here. There's so much heart-stopping action in this novel. I had to skim ahead to see what happened and go back and fill in the blanks. There are some gorgeously written and thought-provoking passages about war that touched my heart and broke it. If you know and love the Poldarks from the show or the books, you will experience everything they experience in this book. The ending is heart-wrenching but yet I feel it's somewhat optimistic as well. Life goes on and you learn to live again and accept change. There will be light in your life again even in the face of overwhelming grief. Winston Graham does an amazing job of taking the readers on this emotional journey.
I skipped a lot of the history of the Battle of Waterloo. I've read An Infamous Army and War and Peace. I didn't need to read all that blood and carnage again. I just wanted to know what happened to the characters and less of the history. I think Winston Graham was writing the French Revolution as someone who lived through WWII and the Cold War. The Jacobins were the Communists of their day. It's an interesting take on the French Revolution I hadn't thought of when the Revolution was shoved down my throat in high school both in French class and history class.
Ross, at 55, just wants to settle down in Cornwall with his family and farm. Wheal Grace is failing but Leisure is prospering. Yet, there's a little itch left in him, a yearning for adventure. He's not dead yet so why stop? I think Cannning and Liverpool know this and exploit it for their own political benefit. This time at least Ross keeps Demelza in the loop and takes her along. No more secrets between them except for one big one. She only has an intuition to go on but it's not a good feeling. This is something no one, not even Ross, can ever know. Ross finally confronts the issue of Valentine at the end of the book after trying to ignore it for years. I can't imagine that a man so active and intelligent could possibly be that stupid but he keeps pushing the thought away again and again until he can't anymore. He doesn't tell Demelza because she doesn't really need to know and she knows anyway. She is amazingly aware of what her husband is up to and what he's thinking. She's been so strong and so supportive of him for so long. I love how Demelza is his rock. He's finally treating her better.
Demelza continues to be incredible. She runs the household, the farm and manages the family mostly on her own. Yes there are servants but she'll never ask someone else to do for her what she can do herself. Yet a small part of her is still insecure about her origins and fears she isn't good enough or smart enough. All her fears are for naught of course because every single time she goes into Society she is sexually harassed and Paris is no exception. Her main focus is her family and making sure they are all happy. The children are growing older and away from her.
June 19, 2013
After have read a total of 4694 pages of the 11 of 12 books of the Poldark series, there are still 554 pages to be read with the final volume of this magnificent family saga.
As in the final part of The Loving Cup, Ross Poldark and his family travel to Paris as an "observer" of the French armed forces. As soon as Napoleon returns to Paris, a panic occurs and most people try to flee from the eminent danger.
The destinies of Ross, Jeremy and Stephen will suffer a dramatic change during the Waterloo's battle.
The final volume of this magnificent saga is Bella Poldark.
Page 43:
"The army is riddled with secret societies, he says. Many of them are Bonapartist and aim to overthrow Louis - not necessarily to restore Napoleon but to put his son on the throne. Others want Duc d'Orleans. Many of the higher officers are royalist, he says, but the rank and file cannot abide Louis and what they regard as his corrupt court."
Page 86:
"These people who have come to take over now, sir, they are attempting to dig up a corpse buried for a quarter of a century!...When Bonapoarte became Emperor he did not try to put the clock back - rather he built on what was good, established his own code of justice, stabilized a rule of law and common fealty - that was why we fought for him so well and so long! But these royalists, with their endless train of rouged and powdered countesses and duchesses and little princelings - they are arrogant, insolent, self-seeking! Wherever they go they make themselves hated. They are no longer France! They died with Louis Sixteenth!"
Page 112:
The Palace first heard only that Bonaparte had left Elba; many people thought he would go to Africa or seek asylum in Egypt. Not until the 4th March did the semaphore telegraph confirm that he was in France and moving up from the coast making proclamations as he came.
Page 119:
Mme de Stael gave it as her opinion that if by any frightful mischance Napoleon ever came back to control France again it would be the end of all liberty.
Page 134:
"Well, we have reports of Bonaparte's proclamations. He proclaims himself the liberator of this faithful subjects from a foreign-imposed Bourbon tyranny. He says his eagles are on the wing and will perch from spire to spire until they reach Notre-Dame.
Page 339 - letter of Ross to Demelza:
The carnage (Waterloo's battle) on both sides was appealing, I have never seen such ferocity in attack or such utter relentless courage in defense. Just around the farmhouse of Hougoumont, which was where Jeremy was stationed, over two thousand men were killed. In total we are thought to have lost 20,000 men, the Prussians about 7,000, the French about 30,000.
4* Ross Poldark (Poldark, #1)
4* Demelza (Poldark, #2)
3* Jeremy Poldark (Poldark, #3)
4* Warleggan (Poldark, #4)
4* The Black Moon (Poldark, #5)
5* The Four Swans (Poldark, #6)
4*The Angry Tide (Poldark, #7)
3* The Stranger From The Sea (Poldark, #8)
3* The Miller's Dance (Poldark, #9)
3* The Loving Cup (Poldark, #10)
4* The Twisted Sword (Poldark, #11)
TR Bella Poldark (Poldark, #12)
4* Marnie
4* The Walking Stick
As in the final part of The Loving Cup, Ross Poldark and his family travel to Paris as an "observer" of the French armed forces. As soon as Napoleon returns to Paris, a panic occurs and most people try to flee from the eminent danger.
The destinies of Ross, Jeremy and Stephen will suffer a dramatic change during the Waterloo's battle.
The final volume of this magnificent saga is Bella Poldark.
Page 43:
"The army is riddled with secret societies, he says. Many of them are Bonapartist and aim to overthrow Louis - not necessarily to restore Napoleon but to put his son on the throne. Others want Duc d'Orleans. Many of the higher officers are royalist, he says, but the rank and file cannot abide Louis and what they regard as his corrupt court."
Page 86:
"These people who have come to take over now, sir, they are attempting to dig up a corpse buried for a quarter of a century!...When Bonapoarte became Emperor he did not try to put the clock back - rather he built on what was good, established his own code of justice, stabilized a rule of law and common fealty - that was why we fought for him so well and so long! But these royalists, with their endless train of rouged and powdered countesses and duchesses and little princelings - they are arrogant, insolent, self-seeking! Wherever they go they make themselves hated. They are no longer France! They died with Louis Sixteenth!"
Page 112:
The Palace first heard only that Bonaparte had left Elba; many people thought he would go to Africa or seek asylum in Egypt. Not until the 4th March did the semaphore telegraph confirm that he was in France and moving up from the coast making proclamations as he came.
Page 119:
Mme de Stael gave it as her opinion that if by any frightful mischance Napoleon ever came back to control France again it would be the end of all liberty.
Page 134:
"Well, we have reports of Bonaparte's proclamations. He proclaims himself the liberator of this faithful subjects from a foreign-imposed Bourbon tyranny. He says his eagles are on the wing and will perch from spire to spire until they reach Notre-Dame.
Page 339 - letter of Ross to Demelza:
The carnage (Waterloo's battle) on both sides was appealing, I have never seen such ferocity in attack or such utter relentless courage in defense. Just around the farmhouse of Hougoumont, which was where Jeremy was stationed, over two thousand men were killed. In total we are thought to have lost 20,000 men, the Prussians about 7,000, the French about 30,000.
4* Ross Poldark (Poldark, #1)
4* Demelza (Poldark, #2)
3* Jeremy Poldark (Poldark, #3)
4* Warleggan (Poldark, #4)
4* The Black Moon (Poldark, #5)
5* The Four Swans (Poldark, #6)
4*The Angry Tide (Poldark, #7)
3* The Stranger From The Sea (Poldark, #8)
3* The Miller's Dance (Poldark, #9)
3* The Loving Cup (Poldark, #10)
4* The Twisted Sword (Poldark, #11)
TR Bella Poldark (Poldark, #12)
4* Marnie
4* The Walking Stick
November 9, 2017
3.5 stars, I’m still thoroughly enjoying this dramatic series. This penultimate entry has Ross and Demelza imperiled in France during Napoleon’s Hundred Days, and then it places all of the Poldark men - Ross, Jeremy, and Geoffrey Charles - at the Battle of Waterloo, and if you think everyone survives unscathed then this must be your first Poldark book. The title is apt, as there is more than one painful twist for this family to endure.
I’ve been yelling at Clowance not to marry him for three books now, and I feel
I’ve been yelling at Clowance not to marry him for three books now, and I feel
November 15, 2014
What an amazing part of the series - so sad, so beautifully written. Can't express the anguish this book put me through & I can't believe that I only have 1 book to go to the end - thank goodness they will all be sitting there waiting for me to read again next year. That's when the new TV series starts with the seriously gorgeous Aidan Turner as Ross. So on to Bella Poldark now
April 9, 2016
I have no words- only tears.
April 30, 2021
Actual review: 4.5
The Twisted Sword is the eleventh book in the Poldark series.
As the penultimate novel to the series, this book was surprisingly dynamic.
♥ IN TIMES OF WAR
We follow the last months of Napoléon Bonaparte’s reign, as well as the battle of Waterloo. The excitement and the heartbreak I experienced when reading this book was real.
War is not glamorised, but it’s used as a catalyst for the selfishness of others. Our favourite characters suffer through, and we the readers suffer through with them.
Maybe I would not have been as interested in a story about war had it been with other characters, but since I am heavily invested in the Poldarks and their journey, I found this novel to be heart-breaking.
And as always, I am in awe with Winston Graham and his writing. He brings in a sense of nostalgia to his novels that most authors lack.
The Twisted Sword is the eleventh book in the Poldark series.
As the penultimate novel to the series, this book was surprisingly dynamic.
♥ IN TIMES OF WAR
We follow the last months of Napoléon Bonaparte’s reign, as well as the battle of Waterloo. The excitement and the heartbreak I experienced when reading this book was real.
War is not glamorised, but it’s used as a catalyst for the selfishness of others. Our favourite characters suffer through, and we the readers suffer through with them.
Maybe I would not have been as interested in a story about war had it been with other characters, but since I am heavily invested in the Poldarks and their journey, I found this novel to be heart-breaking.
And as always, I am in awe with Winston Graham and his writing. He brings in a sense of nostalgia to his novels that most authors lack.
July 21, 2020
In the eleventh book of the series, things get very serious. Our heroes were waiting for quiet days to come but Napoleon's escape and his return to power spoils their plans and finds them at the heart of developments along the way for the battle of Waterloo. Of course, they do not lose their courage and without hesitation interfere in what is happening, with some finding an opportunity in all this turmoil. Eventually, things go their way, with losses for everyone, even for our heroes, who, however, have no choice but to continue.
One of the most exciting books in the series, with the author taking advantage of history to put his heroes in it and thus give us a full picture. But beyond that, the developments on a personal level are just as many and increase even more the interest and emotion as we see our heroes face emotionally difficult situations. So just before the end the series still offers something to the readers and makes them understand that all this long journey was worth it.
Στο ενδέκατο βιβλίο της σειράς τα πράγματα γίνονται πολύ σοβαρά. Οι ήρωες μας περίμεναν να έρθουν ήσυχες μέρες αλλά η απόδραση του Ναπολέοντα και η επαναφορά του στην εξουσία τους χαλάει τα σχέδια και τους βρίσκει στην καρδιά των εξελίξεων στην πορεία για τη μάχη του Βατερλώ. Φυσικά δεν χάνουν το θάρρος τους και χωρίς δισταγμό ανακατεύονται σε ότι συμβαίνει, με κάποιους να βρίσκουν μία ευκαιρία μέσα σε όλη αυτή την αναστάτωση. Τελικά τα πράγματα ακολουθούν το δρόμο τους, με απώλειες για όλους, ακόμα και για τους ήρωες μας, που, όμως, δεν έχουν άλλη επιλογή από το να συνεχίσουν.
Ένα από τα πιο συναρπαστικά βιβλία της σειράς, με τον συγγραφέα να εκμεταλλεύεται την ιστορία για να βάλει μέσα σε αυτή τους ήρωες του και να μας δώσει έτσι μία εικόνα για αυτήν. Αλλά και πέρα από αυτό οι εξελίξεις σε προσωπικό επίπεδο είναι εξίσου πολλές και αυξάνουν ακόμα περισσότερο το ενδιαφέρον και τη συγκίνηση καθώς βλέπουμε τους ήρωες μας να αντιμετωπίζουν συναισθηματικά δύσκολες καταστάσεις. Έτσι λίγο πριν το τέλος η σειρά εξακολουθεί να προσφέρει κάτι στους αναγνώστες και να τους κάνει να καταλαβαίνουν ότι όλη αυτή η μακριά πορεία άξιζε τον κόπο.
One of the most exciting books in the series, with the author taking advantage of history to put his heroes in it and thus give us a full picture. But beyond that, the developments on a personal level are just as many and increase even more the interest and emotion as we see our heroes face emotionally difficult situations. So just before the end the series still offers something to the readers and makes them understand that all this long journey was worth it.
Στο ενδέκατο βιβλίο της σειράς τα πράγματα γίνονται πολύ σοβαρά. Οι ήρωες μας περίμεναν να έρθουν ήσυχες μέρες αλλά η απόδραση του Ναπολέοντα και η επαναφορά του στην εξουσία τους χαλάει τα σχέδια και τους βρίσκει στην καρδιά των εξελίξεων στην πορεία για τη μάχη του Βατερλώ. Φυσικά δεν χάνουν το θάρρος τους και χωρίς δισταγμό ανακατεύονται σε ότι συμβαίνει, με κάποιους να βρίσκουν μία ευκαιρία μέσα σε όλη αυτή την αναστάτωση. Τελικά τα πράγματα ακολουθούν το δρόμο τους, με απώλειες για όλους, ακόμα και για τους ήρωες μας, που, όμως, δεν έχουν άλλη επιλογή από το να συνεχίσουν.
Ένα από τα πιο συναρπαστικά βιβλία της σειράς, με τον συγγραφέα να εκμεταλλεύεται την ιστορία για να βάλει μέσα σε αυτή τους ήρωες του και να μας δώσει έτσι μία εικόνα για αυτήν. Αλλά και πέρα από αυτό οι εξελίξεις σε προσωπικό επίπεδο είναι εξίσου πολλές και αυξάνουν ακόμα περισσότερο το ενδιαφέρον και τη συγκίνηση καθώς βλέπουμε τους ήρωες μας να αντιμετωπίζουν συναισθηματικά δύσκολες καταστάσεις. Έτσι λίγο πριν το τέλος η σειρά εξακολουθεί να προσφέρει κάτι στους αναγνώστες και να τους κάνει να καταλαβαίνουν ότι όλη αυτή η μακριά πορεία άξιζε τον κόπο.
March 27, 2016
Some spoilers may abound!
This one was very good and I felt moved much quicker than some other ones. I loved them being in Paris and even once R/D became separated (through no choice of their own), the story still moved well enough thanks to the side stories.
I for one was soooo happy to see Stephan go and I had a hunch about Jeremy as well. It was very sad, but he was never my favorite character I have to admit. I can't wait to see how this comes together onscreen though! Another side story I looooved was music and Katie! She was definitely a bitch to him most of the time, but it was nice to see her come around and stand up for him in a huuuge way! And to see him finally get his dream just made my day. I hope it all continues to go well!
So once again, another nail biter that even if some parts get boring, you are still always turning the pages to see what happens to these characters- characters I have grown to love (some more than others!) and can't believe I have one more to go before its all over!
This one was very good and I felt moved much quicker than some other ones. I loved them being in Paris and even once R/D became separated (through no choice of their own), the story still moved well enough thanks to the side stories.
I for one was soooo happy to see Stephan go and I had a hunch about Jeremy as well. It was very sad, but he was never my favorite character I have to admit. I can't wait to see how this comes together onscreen though! Another side story I looooved was music and Katie! She was definitely a bitch to him most of the time, but it was nice to see her come around and stand up for him in a huuuge way! And to see him finally get his dream just made my day. I hope it all continues to go well!
So once again, another nail biter that even if some parts get boring, you are still always turning the pages to see what happens to these characters- characters I have grown to love (some more than others!) and can't believe I have one more to go before its all over!
June 16, 2021
The last couple of books in The Poldark Saga weren't quite as good as earlier installments, but The Twisted Sword which is the eleventh and next to last novel in the series is back to form. I didn't want to stop listening. While I liked the others well enough, I missed the primary focus on Ross and Demelza, Dwight and Caroline, and George and the rest. This one finds a great medium with the original cast and the next generation and it really worked well for such a family saga. I'm going to be honest though that you-know-which scene between Ross and Jeremy and Jeremy's letter to Demelza just about killed me. They were brutal. I was listening while in the car and during those sections I probably looked pretty rough to passing vehicles.
March 25, 2022
11esimo volume della serie Poldark, The Twisted Sword, il cui titolo tradotto in italiano rende bene l’idea di come ci si senta giunti all’ultima pagina. Io non ho mai letto nessuno che scrive come Winston Graham; ogni suo romanzo è pura maestria d’architettura narrativa, la sua capacità di sondare l’animo umano e di interrogarsi al riguardo è commovente, i suoi personaggi vibrano, la sua prosa è pura cinematografia. In questo episodio della saga familiare ci ritroviamo nel vortice della battaglia di Waterloo, esposti ad ogni tipo di ferita. Ma alla fine, come dice Demelza, il mio personaggio preferito di sempre, la vita va avanti.
July 8, 2018
An enjoyable read that had me in tears During the Jeremy /Ross scene and Jeremy’s letter to Demelza ! Only one more book to read in the series now!
Poldark books are a night series that shows cornwall at its most beautiful !
Poldark books are a night series that shows cornwall at its most beautiful !
October 13, 2019
This was a heartbreaker in so many ways. The battle scenes at Waterloo reminded me of War and Peace, so realistic, so horrifying. Ross and Demelza have come through so much, and their love welds them together.
June 30, 2018
This was one of the stronger books in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 15, 2018
Four and one half stars.
How I love the Poldark series. Winston Graham has created such memorable characters. There are too many spoilers that could be revealed. Let me say this book is chock full of drama. Ross and Demelza head to Paris with Isabella Rose and little Henry as Ross scouts around Paris society to gauge the rumors of a new war with an old enemy of England's.
If you love the Poldark series you must treat yourself to the full story of Ross and Demelza Poldark.
How I love the Poldark series. Winston Graham has created such memorable characters. There are too many spoilers that could be revealed. Let me say this book is chock full of drama. Ross and Demelza head to Paris with Isabella Rose and little Henry as Ross scouts around Paris society to gauge the rumors of a new war with an old enemy of England's.
If you love the Poldark series you must treat yourself to the full story of Ross and Demelza Poldark.
January 2, 2022
Una saga sempre appassionante!
April 24, 2016
I can't really explain why I love this series so much. I just feel like these people are members of my family or something and I just have to find out their story. This book was every bit as good as the others. There are some detailed descriptions of battles, particularly Waterloo, and there are some truly heartbreaking moments. I'm not sure if I cried at any point in the other books but I definitely did with this one. Only one more book left in the series. I'm excited to finish, partly because I really feel like I can't read anything else until I have! But I'm also sad that this is the end. I can definitely see myself rereading these books in the future. I ended up buying the e-books because that was the only way I could find them easily (only the first three were available at the library) but I don't regret the purchases one bit.
March 20, 2017
A lot happens in this volume which was intended to be the final book of the Poldark epic when it came out in 1990. A full thirteen years later the author penned a post script volume which came out in 2003, the year he died. This volume is primarily an account of Napoleon's reprise and its repercussions to the Poldark family. There is at least one character who was satisfactorily, if not a bit hastily (but couldn't have been soon enough for me) written out of the script.
October 3, 2020
Should I even write this.... the very very best of the series has been saved for book 11.
It’s a perfect blend of history and war and poldarks and family and tragedy and friendship and understanding.
If I could, I’d give it 6 stars.
It’s a perfect blend of history and war and poldarks and family and tragedy and friendship and understanding.
If I could, I’d give it 6 stars.
April 30, 2016
A love these characters and will sad when the saga ends. One more book to go.
June 25, 2018
I was struck with how much George Walaggen reminds me of Donald J. Trump.
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