I was really hard to get into at the beginning. I think I've been trying to read this book for months. But one Demelza steps into the picture things start getting interesting especially the fact that she's a child when Ross first meets her and takes her in as a kitchen maid only to have Demelza determine that she wants Ross more than she ever thought. 
 Demelza's character really is refreshing. I really enjoyed her quips and her continuing effort to live up to a standard she really is the one to set. 
 Verity, Ross's cousin, also is a character close to my heart. I feel so bad for her and hope the next book has a little happiness headed towards her. 
 The writing seems very old fashioned even for a book written in the 50s. Sometimes the language and phrases are confusing but the overall story is good. I must admit to being bored by the mining talk.