The Four Swans cover art

The Four Swans

A Novel of Cornwall 1795-1797: Poldark, Book 6

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The Four Swans

By: Winston Graham
Narrated by: Oliver J. Hembrough
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About this listen

The Four Swans is the sixth novel in Winston Graham's sweeping series of Cornwall, Poldark.

Cornwall, 1795-1799. Although Ross Poldark - now something of a war hero - seems secure in his hard-won prosperity, a new dilemma faces him in the sudden infatuation of a young naval officer with his wife, Demelza.

All four women - the four swans - whose lives touch Ross' face a crisis in these years. For his wife, Demelza; his old love, Elizabeth; his friend's new wife, Caroline; and the unhappy Morwenna Chynoweth, these are times of stress and conflict.

©2015 Winston Graham (P)2016 Macmillan Digital Audio Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Movie, TV & Video Game Tie-Ins Tie-in Romance Marriage War

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Critic reviews

"From the incomparable Winston Graham...who has everything that anyone else has, and then a whole lot more." ( Guardian)
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finished binge watching the TV series and really enjoyed it. I decided to listen to the novels as I needed more! I have not been disappointed. Fantastically written and beautifully performed. Oliver brings the characters to life. I have been totally immersed in this Cornish life. Its a family saga and a history lesson. Winston Graham writes with such depth and description. Fabulous!

So much better than the TV programme!

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Another great narration by Oliver Hembrough. During this novel, I often forgot that it was a single narrator and found myself in the midst of a crowd. Mr Hembrough has become a master of his craft!

The storyline continues to fascinate, providing a window into historic society, culture and politics. The backdrop is the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon, in the context of day to day subsistence in Cornwall

More please ...

Engrossing storyline, brilliantly narrated

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A beautifully read, and beautiful story told with skill and feeling. Cornwall at your feet.

tragic, happy, sad

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As with the previous books this is a great story that superbly captures eighteenth century life and Cornwall in particular. In is brilliantly brought to life by Oliver Hembrough who manages to perfectly capture the voices of all the main characters.
In the Poldark series books 5,6&7 go together in close sequence (they were written together within a few years in the 1970s and film as a series by the BBC) so I can't understand why book 7, The Angry Tide, is not available to enjoy.

Brilliant, but when will The Angry Tide be on Audibe?

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If you could sum up The Four Swans in three words, what would they be?

Winston Graham's masterful and engaging writing combined with Oliver J. Hembrough's equally masterful impersonation of the dozens of vivid characters leave listerners of all six audio books waiting impatiently for the release of the last six of the Poldark series.

What other book might you compare The Four Swans to, and why?

The other Poldark books by Winston Graham.

What about Oliver J. Hembrough’s performance did you like?

Oliver J. Hembrough captures not just the individual persons, but the entire, long, complex scene described by Winston Graham. It is like listening to a one-man theater where each character is shown the utmost care and carefully imbued with personality. After listening for a while, one is completely submerged in the ocean of the late 1700s; long gone, but not forgotten, its struggle for survival, its shivering cold and its blazing heat; an ocean remembered by Winston Graham and brought to life by Oliver J. Hembrough.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. It is a good thing that chapters exist, considering the length of Winston Graham's capturing books and the very best quality of performance by Oliver J. Hembrough and also by Clare Corbett in book number two.

Any additional comments?

Extremely well done first half dozen!

Extremely well done first half dozen!

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If you could sum up The Four Swans in three words, what would they be?

Good story book

What did you like best about this story?

the characters and setting

What three words best describe Oliver J. Hembrough’s performance?

really quite disappointing

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

a few parts

Any additional comments?

would be so much better with different narrator

great stories don't like the narration.

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another great book. wish audible would get the rest as now i.m left hanging. aaaaaggghhhh

great

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I loved rereading this book I gobbled them up when 18.,but rereading gained more insight into the 18th century life

A damn good read

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a multi faceted tale of the Poldarks. their loves. amd hates and changing fortunes.
GREAT READ

Poldarks at theirbest

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The narrator does an excellent job of bringing the characters in these books alive.
Each book is more gripping than the previous one!
Very frustrating that books 7 and onwards are not available in audio format. Come on Audible we want more from the Poldark series by Oliver Hembrough!

The series just gets better and better!

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