I have just finished this book. I got it just before Christmas; it has been re-issued as a print on demand book, so none of the comfortable old-fashioned feel to it. I think it must have been printed somewhere abroad and there are some amusing typos.
It is a chilling story which romps along. I wondered about the death of Joe Veal immediately it happened, but what brought me up short was the final sentence (before the epilogue). She turned the key and threw it in the water... Ooh that's ruthless.
It did take some pages to get into the story, but I badly wanted Anthony to be loved by someone. He was so alone in the world and even though no-one was actually unkind to him, he was treated as a nothing, or as a useful go-between.
I found a paperback copy of this book in an Oxfam bookshop while on holiday. I was so excited, as I adore the Poldark books and want to read other Winston Graham works. I have to say that I found it a very peculiar story and did not get absorbed at all. I think I have to like at least one of the characters in a novel in order to enjoy it. None of the characters here 'spoke' to me.
My local library called today to say they had located a copy of WG's Forgotten Story for me and excited to say have now picked it up ready to read. It's definitely one to savour as it was a 5th edition, published in 1978 and has the look and the feel of a comfy old fashioned book, sheer nostalgia; no fancy fly leaf just the name of the author and the book title on a lime green and fawn brown hardback cover, the way books used to be in days long gone, reminds me of the school library at my old girls grammar school. It has a notice just inside the front cover which makes it very special - 'This book has been obtained for you from our collection of rare and out of print books.' Goes on with a warning 'Please note that it is unique and irreplaceable.'
Can't wait to read it, will let you know what I think about it.
PS. Do you know whether the BBC version of this book was ever available on VHS or DVD?
-- Edited by namparagirl on Tuesday 5th of May 2009 05:34:22 PM
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Tide was nearly full. Mist lay in a grey scarf along the line of the cliffs. .. and they walked home hand in hand through the slanting shadows of the new darkness.
It's a good couple of years since I read it though I can't remember why I never got around to posting anything. It's an interesting Victorian mystery period read with a young girl as the central character centred around Falmouth (Angharad, as you can see, herself appearing in an HTV film made in 1983) and as always with WG very absorbing. However because I've never been into murder, mystery and suspense novels of any sort it's bound to be hard for others who might feel differently to judge.
Personally speaking I think the two fiction books that arguably come the closest to Poldark are "Cordelia" (which WG sourced from his mother) and "The Ugly Sister", also both set in Victorian times, as WG writes in both as a woman and seem to have more bite and feel more convincing than when he writes as a man. Other's might feel differently of course !
One final unrelated thought is that because WG was in general so very much into murder. mystery and suspense novels anyway, it must explain why his description of Ross's trial was so vivid and unforgettable.
Hth
If you ever want to buy any of WG's books I always buy from this site below as it has the biggest choices as well as being the quickest and above all the cheapest. Saving all that uncertain waiting on e-bay !
Has anyone read this book?! Am I right in thinking it may have been the forerunner to Ross Poldark?
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Tide was nearly full. Mist lay in a grey scarf along the line of the cliffs. .. and they walked home hand in hand through the slanting shadows of the new darkness.
"Mr. Graham's characterisation is always convincing and the backgrounds effective." - Daily Telegraph.
"One can safely rely on Mr. Graham. He is one of the few authors who bring a nice subtle touch into the treatment of plot and characters." - Irish Independent, Dublin.
"Mr. Graham writes vividly and briskly." - The Scotsman, Edinburgh.
"A marvellous story-telling ability" - Books and Bookmen.
"Chillingly convincing....memorable characters." - Liverpool Post.
In December, 1898, a barquentine was wrecked on the Cornish coast near Falmouth. This is "the forgotten story" of some of the people who came unexpectedly to be passengers in the ship on her last voyage, of their loves and hates, and how a young boy is drawn irrevocably into the centre of a gripping drama.
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A six-part UK HTV television serial production adapted from the novel and aired in 1983 also received a silver medal at the New York Film Festival.
UK / ITV Network - HTV / 6x30 minute episodes / Broadcast 9 January - 13 February 1983 | Sundays @ 5.30pm)
Writer: Arden Winch / Executive Producer: Patrick Dromgoole / Novel: Winston Graham / Producer: Martin Schute / Director: John Jacobs
Period mystery drama serial "The Forgotten Story" was set in Falmouth during the 1890's when 11 year old Anthony is sent from America to live with his Uncle Joe following the death of his gold hunting father. Uncle Joe keeps a seaman's restaurant and Anthony is soon caught up in the lives of the characters who frequent the place. A fabulous cast marks this out as an above average production, it was based on Winston Graham's novel who had also written the Poldark novels.
Cast: JOHN STRATTON as Joe Veal LILA KAYE as Madge VAN JOHNSON as Perry GEORGE CAMILLER as Ned ANGHARAD REES as Patricia ALEXIS WOUTAS as Anthony SARAH JANE BICKERTON as Fanny
-- Edited by Ross Poldark on Sunday 27th of January 2013 04:29:50 PM
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"Perfection is a full stop .... Ever the climbing but never the attaining Of the mountain top." W.G.