Poldark Saga - Winston Graham discussion

Stephen Carrington is first introduced in The Stranger from the Sea, literally being pulled from the sea and near death. After he recovers, we are told that he is good looking, confident, quick witted, and appears to have courage. We also know that he is not always truthful. I find that I don't know quite how to feel about him! I found his relationship with the mortally ill Violet to be very sweet, but I don't trust him.

RIGHT TANYA...there is something immediately flim/flam about Carrington. Too glib, too unusual looking as if his looks give him the confidence he wants to assure himself and others that he is an outstanding person. I felt that WG almost immediately gave the impression there was something not completely honorable about him. When CP becomes attracted I was shaking my head...

Couldn't agree more. In some ways he's very direct and honest, and in others he couldn't be slimier. Was glad to see the turn the book took in the CP-Carrington relationship, but it's not over, I suspect...
Kind of sorry to see Jeremy sucked into his shenanigans, but can't place all the blame for that on Stephen.

I was definitely unsure what to think about Stephen at first too. But now.. His true colors are coming out full force! My question is... It says that he really does love clowance but do you guys think that's true? I'm not sure.. His actions certainly don't show it 90% of the time. I think he is fond of her but somewhere along the way it became more important to possess her, own her. And to me, that's not love. Even if he did love her, to me it's clear he'd always stray...

But she is no better because it annoyed me with her attitude of "oh Stephen I know you're an ass, you just can't help it but I love u anyway" lol. So when she for example sees how he treats poorer people and realizes he should have more empathy since that's how HE grew up.. I was happy thinking maybe this finally would start to show her he is NOT what he seems. He might have the best intentions but he is not dependable and frankly I'm surprised Ross and demelza seemed to be blind to it more often than not. Especially demelza who is normally so good at reading people! She had an idea but they just dropped the ball in my opinion. And don't even get me started on Jeremy who knew what a jerk he could be, but by all means, let him screw your sister over as much as he wants. Psh.

Anyway, thank goodness clow got her act together and ended it.. And I'm so rooting for Ben!! I really hope he has a chance with her!