A soap opera-like novel that simply captivated me from start to finish. I just couldn't put it down, and even after I was done, I craved for more. The story is centered around Mark Castallack and his family, set in the northern Cornish tin mine country and the rather ugly mansion of Penmarric. The time period跨度 from 1890 to 1943, and it is told from the perspectives of five different people. This gives the narrative a rich and multi-faceted dimension. It contains all the juicy ingredients that make for a great read - love, hate, the contrast between the rich and the poor, and even adultery. Each character has their own complex emotions and motives, which are explored in great detail. The author has done a wonderful job of creating a vivid and engaging world that draws the reader in and keeps them hooked until the very end.

The Pomegranate for me, at first glance, was similar to the classics of Dickens, Moore or Eliot. The story of families in a small environment, but what made the Pomegranate attractive to me? Well, the story is about inheritance, heritage, greed, and these kinds of things. I say these things because we have seen and heard this story and films many times, and in the first pages of the book, this pattern continues. But the story becomes attractive from a point where we read the narration from the language of the next generation. Now, the story and the little narrations that we have heard from the language of some characters, we read them again from the language of other characters in the story. For me, this is what makes the Pomegranate very attractive. Let me give an example. For example, after a party, I feel that Mr. or Mrs. X has liked me, and now we read the same narration, feeling and state of him/her in his/her own language. Apart from this, the way the generations are related to common concepts is also one of the other attractions of the book. Like every thick book, we have to go forward with a little difficulty until a part of the book (even a third of it) to get on the right track, and then I don't think there is any difficulty in reading the book anymore.

It is truly a captivating piece of literature that takes the reader on a journey through different perspectives and generations, exploring the complex themes of family, inheritance, and human nature. The author's skillful use of language and the ability to bring the characters to life make this book a must-read for anyone interested in classic literature.

Whether you are a fan of Dickens or simply enjoy a good story, The Pomegranate is sure to satisfy. So, pick up a copy and immerse yourself in the world of this wonderful book.

I'm extremely proud of myself for successfully finishing this book. To be completely honest, I'm also rather glad that it has come to an end.

I must admit that I did find the historical references quite enjoyable. Howatch managed to weave the facts into the story in a very nice and seamless way. Through this book, I have learned a great deal about Cornwall’s mining industry. I also gained a better understanding of the social changes that took place before and after both world wars.

However, when it comes to the characters, I did not have a very favorable opinion. With only a few exceptions, they seemed to be mean, selfish, and jealous. Their actions and behaviors often left me feeling rather disappointed.

As for whether I will read another book by Howatch in the future, I seriously doubt it. Based on my experience with this particular book, I'm not sure if I would be interested in exploring her other works.

Penmarric was Susan Howatch's first book, written when she was just twenty-six.

It stands apart in style from her later works, especially the Starbridge series that centers around Anglican priests.

Penmarric showcases her developing skills in creating complex characters, which she does quite well. However, the depth of plot that she would later cultivate as she continued writing is not yet fully present.

The characters in Penmarric are deeply flawed individuals, but Howatch beautifully portrays their growth and change.

The book follows a family over three generations from 1890 to 1945.

Mark Castallack finally inherits Penmarric, a magnificent mansion in Cornwall.

He brings his bride, Janna Roslyn, to the estate.

The story unfolds through the circuitous and often antagonistic relationships between Mark and his children from two different women.

Mark desires to have all his children, both legitimate and illegitimate, live with him under one roof.

But their relationships are frequently strained, filled with malice and mistrust.

Mark also inherits the Sennen Garth tin mine, which he closes due to a lack of the necessary capital to reopen it.

In 1914, one of his legitimate sons, Philip, attempts to reopen the mine (part of which is beneath the sea) and discovers a rich tin lode that is desperately needed to supply the war effort.

I found this section to be the most interesting, as it is filled with a wealth of information about the mining of tin.

The book is divided into five sections, each narrated by a different member of the family: Mark in 1890, Janna (his wife) from 1890 to 1904, Adrian (an illegitimate son) from 1904 to 1914, Philip (legitimate son) from 1914 to 1930, and Jan-Yves (the youngest legitimate son) from 1930 to 1945.

I have a deep love for family sagas, and Susan Howatch has penned some truly remarkable books that delve into the world of feuding families, filled with intrigue, greed, and complex love. I first discovered her captivating writing style years ago when I read this particular book.

It is an enthralling tale that spans three generations of the Casttallack family. Their unwavering obsession with owning Penmarric, a magnificent mansion located in the stark and beautiful region of Cornwall, leads to the family being divided forever.

The characters in this story are truly great, and I appreciate the way the narrative is presented through the perspectives of different family members. It adds depth and authenticity to the story.

I have read this book several times, and each time I do, I find myself enjoying it just as much as the first time. It has that kind of charm and allure that keeps drawing me back. I have a feeling that I will probably read it again someday. It's that sort of book that leaves a lasting impression.

PS.... After reading my initial review and the comments from my fellow GR friends, this magical story has once again come back to me in full force. I think I might just give in to the temptation and read it again... soon.

During the COVID isolation, I really felt the need for some "comfort reading", and this book was just perfect.

I have always adored everything that Susan Howatch has ever written. However, I haven't re-read "Penmarric" since the late '70s.

Honestly speaking, this woman was truly far ahead of her time. Her understanding of trauma and how it echoes through generations is astonishingly modern. Similarly, her remarkable storytelling ability is also outstanding.

Nowadays, nobody writes these beautiful, extensive, multi-generational family sagas anymore, which is really a great pity.

Although she won most of her literary honors for her (equally brilliant) Starbridge novels, Howatch's family-saga/historical works will always remain at the top of my desert-island book list.

They are like precious treasures that I would always cherish and turn to for comfort and inspiration.

I hope more people can discover the charm of her works and appreciate the depth and beauty of her writing.

Maybe one day, someone will be inspired by her and bring back this wonderful genre of literature.

Until then, I will continue to enjoy and recommend Susan Howatch's books to anyone who loves good stories.

I found myself going back and forth on whether Penmarric was a four- or five-star read for me.

On one hand, it's Susan Howatch, and that almost guarantees an instant five stars. The scope of the story is truly incredible, with the tiniest nuances detailed to perfection. Her understanding of the inner workings of flawed people is simply unparalleled. And when you consider that it's a retelling of the Plantagenet family from the 12th century, reimagined in the early 1900s in Cornish mining territory, it's nothing short of brilliant.

On the other hand, it's a heavy read. It clocks in at over 700 pages, and not a single good thing seems to happen to anyone. Maybe that's okay, because I didn't actually like any of the characters. Usually, unlikable characters in terrible situations for hundreds of pages at a time are a surefire way to make me want to DNF (Did Not Finish).

So I'm still a bit partial to the Starbridge and St. Benet's books, where Howatch has more freedom with the plot and can develop those beautiful redemptive arcs that I love so much. But when it comes to rating Penmarric, while it might not be my absolute favorite, it's still Susan Howatch. And that means it's an instant five stars.

Mark Castallack inherits Penmarric and marries his father’s mistress. In the late nineteenth century, men were the rulers of the world. Before long, the young and ambitious Castallack finds himself juggling relationships and children with two very different women.

Sweet and patient Rose is in contrast to the older and rather steely Jana, who refuses to divorce Mark. Fiercely independent, Jana retreats to her former humble farmhouse, despite the animosity of her stepsons. Mark sees little alternative but to bring all of his children – legitimate and illegitimate – to live under one roof. This creates a strained atmosphere where awkward sibling relationships are quickly marred by dislike and mistrust for years to come.

Penmarric is an epic family saga that sprawls across three generations and is told from five viewpoints. Loosely based on the real lives of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, it spans from the Victorian era in 1890 to the Second World War in 1945. Its appeal lies in the complexity of the divided family relationships, as well as the portrayal of significant social changes. In those times, marriage did not necessarily mean love, the class divide was at its most pronounced, and the expectations and society roles of women were greatly suppressed and limited.

Despite the so-called civilised society of the upper classes, the Castallack men and their rivals are deeply flawed and often hypocritical, driven by greed, lust, blackmail, adultery, and ambition. The truth of the human condition is exposed, warts and all. All of this is played out against the cruel beauty of Cornwall in a forever changing England, where class, inheritance, producing a son and heir, and honouring one's duty to God and the King formed the backbone of English society. In contrast, there are the farmers, the tin miners, the bar-maids, and the struggling working classes, adding another rich seam to the Castallack story.

Although there are many characters, and not many of them are especially appealing, they are all clearly defined. The push and pull against each other to further their own goals is skilfully portrayed. I enjoyed how my allegiance swayed with the change of narrator, and the alteration of perspective allowed for a deeper understanding of motivation and mood. Due to the length and structure of this novel, it does feel linear rather than heading towards a neat conclusion, but this is not a negative. The quality of the writing, the huge scope of this book saturated with historical detail, and the fast, slightly sensationalist plotting had me fully engrossed for several days.

I had a great affection for Cashelmara, which I rated 4 stars, and The Wheel of Fortune, which I gave a full 5 stars. Naturally, I was really excited about Penmarric, yet another installment in Howatch's series that paralleled the lives of the infamous Plantagenets.

Unfortunately, it failed on every front. The characterizations were weak, and the storytelling was rambling. How could a tale centered around the dynastic Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their Devil's Brood feel so lackluster, so devoid of substance, so dreadfully dull? Where was the intense passion, the devious scheming, the treacherous plotting?

If I had been reading it alone, I would have abandoned it after struggling to reach the halfway point. However, this was a buddy-read with my good friend Jemidar, and we persisted together, slogging through the worst parts, hoping that the situation would improve. Eventually, it did, in the form of the final section that was based on Bad King John. I was glad that I made it to this part as it offered glimpses of Howatch's previous works. But although this part salvaged the book from being a 1-star disaster, I can only award it a very disappointed and worn-out 2 stars. After the excellence of Cashelmara and The Wheel of Fortune, I truly have no idea what went wrong here.

I don't remember a great deal about this particular book. However, I do vividly recall adoring it when I read it what seems like a million years ago, probably in the early 1970's, I believe.

Back then, I voraciously consumed all of Susan Howatch's books. I distinctly remember that they were all narrated in alternating voices, which I found to be a highly engaging and enjoyable technique.

I truly need to obtain a copy and reread it one day. I'm not certain if I'll love it as passionately as I did nearly 50 years ago. But I do recall that I simply couldn't put it down, even though it was extremely long. It was a romantic, delicious family saga that managed to capture my [then] young and romantic heart.

If, upon rereading, it turns out to be utter drivel, I hope you'll forgive me. After all, I'm looking back at something that I loved a lifetime ago, and who really knows what my reaction will be now?

The last book I read by this author, "Wheel of Fortune", was an astonishing nearly 1,000 pages long. And this current one, well, it's over 700 pages. It's quite evident that Howatch has a penchant for writing lengthy family sagas.

There are great similarities in the "formula" of her novels. Just like the other book, this one is set from the late 19th century through the mid-20th. Each section of the novel covers a distinct time span in the life of the family, and interestingly, each is narrated by a different family member. The greed for the house haunts the family relationships, and there are numerous deep secrets within this dysfunctional family. The British class structure is equally infuriating. As a character in this novel aptly put it, "Class meant everything; immorality, so long as it was conducted in a discreet and civilized manner, could be overlooked." And boy, was there plenty of immorality to go around. It all starts with the pater familias, who fathered 8 legitimate children and two illegitimate ones. The latter believed their parents were married, while the wife remained completely oblivious of the mistress and her offspring until things reached a boiling point when the two worlds collided. The blended family the father attempted to create after taking the legitimate kids away from their mother to be raised by the mistress was an utter disaster. However, one good thing about these really long novels is that you become deeply invested in the characters.

This book was truly wonderful.

I have no idea why I never gave Susan Howatch a try years ago.

The characters in this book, spanning multiple generations, are portrayed in an excellently detailed manner.

It's just a very engrossing story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

I was completely captivated by the plot and the development of the characters.

After reading this book, I have decided that I will definitely try more of her books.

I can't wait to explore the other works of Susan Howatch and see what other精彩的 stories she has to offer.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, engaging read.

You won't be disappointed!