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It takes a gifted storyteller to create a vivid world populated by richly imagined characters - a writer who has the ability to weave compelling events which are difficult to stop thinking about. Winston Graham achieves all that, and more, in the first book of the much-loved Poldark series. Count yourself lucky if you are just embarking on this wonderful literary journey, as there are eleven more books waiting for you after you finish "Ross Poldark." This first novel follows the loves (and inevitable losses) of protagonist Ross Poldark, portraying an imperfect, conflicted, stubborn and passionate 18th century man, who's social conscience sometimes lands him on the wrong side of the law. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Cornish coast, the reader is given a window into life during tumultuous political times, while viewing events and quirky local customs through the eyes of characters who soon inhabit the imagination as living, breathing people. Not only are the landscape and people of Cornwall, England brought to life, but also language peculiar to that particular region, fashion and food, shipwrecks, tin and copper mining, and illegal importation of spirits by sea. Sure, you can watch the new PBS Masterpiece series for the basic Poldark plot points, the beautiful Cornish scenery, the pretty actors and the period costumes. But it's like settling for a Subway sandwich in the kitchen, when a feast-laden table, abundant with roast beef, steaming buttery vegetables, sauces and puddings are in the next room. I envy the reader who has just picked up a copy of "Ross Poldark" for the first time. Savor every well-written page. You are in for a treat.

When embarking on this wonderfully written story, feel the joy of knowing eleven more books in the series await you. Author Winston Graham accomplishes a rare feat in not only creating characters who are believable and that the reader cannot help but care about, but weaves compelling stories around them which are set against the stunning backdrop of late 18th century Cornwall, England. Be warned, this novel, and the others which follow, are difficult to put down. The writing is exceptionally fine, painting a vivid picture of living conditions, social issues of the time, commerce, industry, fashion - and at the heart of the book, the loves (and inevitable losses) of the novel's central character, Ross Poldark. Even the unique expressions of the Cornish people and their particular language quirks are replicated with such affection and faithfulness, there can be no doubt that Graham was writing about a place and people he held dear. Sure, you can watch the new Masterpiece series and get the basic Poldark plot points, see some beautiful Cornish scenery, and watch pretty actors in period costumes (and there's nothing wrong with that! I will be watching, too!). But the richness of the Poldark stories are to be found in the books by Winston Graham. And they are meant to be savored. I bought Ross Poldark from Powell's a year ago, and am now about to read the final book in the series. These characters are living, breathing people in my imagination, people l will be sad to part from when I finish that last page. Give yourself the wonderful gift of a great story. It will create an indelible world in your mind, not easily forgotten.

The sense of place captured in this story is as vibrant and compelling as any character in the book. Beautifully crafted word images transport the reader to a small, coastal Oregon town, peopled by unique, believable individuals, one of the most memorable being Moses, an intuitive and selfless hero. Lessons about the invisible strands of home, community, shared history and loss which bind us to each other are woven together to reveal a lovingly rendered tapestry, celebrating the gifts of being human, animal, bird, tree, river. The simple wisdom of this richly imagined tale is that each of us contributes to the world we inhabit, sometimes in seemingly small ways, other times in deeply significant ways. This book is a delicious Northwest feast, to be savored and enjoyed more than once.

Do not read this book where unplanned, snot-producing laughter might be considered inappropriate. For instance, your desk at work. Ignatius J. Reilly is one of the most eccentric protagonists you will ever encounter, prone to pontificating in his Big Chief writing tablet, obsessing over his pyloric valve, which is sensitive to all manner of stimuli and can snap shut with little provocation, and seeking employment in a shirt factory and as a weenie vendor to help pay for his mother's car crash after one too many beers at the "Night of Joy" strip club. The characters are brought to life in hilarious detail, seemingly unrelated to each other at the story's start, but spinning ever-closer to each other until their worlds inevitably collide. I read this in preparation for my first trip to New Orleans, where the store is set. I look forward to standing next to the statue of Ignatius on Canal Street, outside the old DH Holmes department store this September. That is, assuming Fortuna does not give life's wheel an unexpected downward turn and thwart my plan.

The ironies and dark humor of this look back on the protagonist's prolonged fall from grace among the proud, well-read citizens of his home town (not to mention his parents, who unfortunately happen to be teachers of English literature), is a delicious ride. The foreshadowing makes it clear early on the narrator is doomed, but the tale is so ridiculously absurd and quirky that the reader is drawn in completely, and is in effect an accomplice to all the ill-advised choices made by the story's character. Fun reading whether you are the bookish type, or someone who likes to play with matches.