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RECOMMENDED |
 Blood : Gee Williams |
 Salvage : Gee Williams |
 Mr Cassini : Lloyd Jones |
 Mr
Vogel : Lloyd
Jones |
 Sea Holly : Robert Minhinnick |
 Runt : Niall Griffiths |
 Don't Cry For Me Aberystwyth : Malcolm Pryce |
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Book Reviews
"Shwmae Butt" Gets Its Own Dictionary Definition This
week, Monday 2 June, in the company of humourist David Jandrell, author
of such bestselling local titles as Welsh Valleys Humour, a packed
audience listened to homely examples of the Valleys dialect being
elevated to dictionary definition. English terms familiar to us all,
like “bopa”, “cwtch”, “butt”, “jiw!” and “come by ‘ere” are included in
a new book by Cardiff author Robert Lewis: Wenglish, The Dialect of the
South Wales Valleys. Published by Y Lolfa in dictionary-format, this
title combines the practical qualities of a reference book –
alphabetical glossary, dialogue examples, grammar, exercises and all –
with a general introduction to the social and geographical context of
how we speak across the south Wales Valleys....more
Rhys Evans: Gwynfor Evans: Portrait of a Patriot 2006
Welsh Book
of the Year winner Rhys Evans has just launched the biography of
Gwynfor Evans,
hailed by many as the ‘Welsh Gandhi’, at the Hay festival. The
launch was chaired by newly appointed Director of Communications to
Boris
Johnson, Guto Harri. During the event at the Sky Movie stage Rhys was
questioned on Gwynfor Evans and his vast contribution to Welsh
politics.....more
Robert Minhinnick: Sea Holly Porthcawl
is a traditional
British
seaside resort on the South Wales coast about half way between Cardiff
and Swansea. It has an esplanade with a row of hotels encamped along
the seafront, a funfair called Coney Island and one of the largest
caravan and camping parks in Europe. There are several beaches
including Rest Bay and Trecco Bay both of which have been awarded the
coveted Blue Flag status for adherence to water quality standards.
Altogether an interesting and lively place and a perfect setting for a
novel which explores the related themes of transience and permanence....more.
Gee Williams: Salvage Anglo
Welsh literature has
produced
a number of exciting new talents in recent years. Prominent amongst
these is Gee Williams whose debut novel 'Salvage'
recently won one of the Aur Pur/Pure Gold prizes for 2008. The novel is
a 'literary thriller' set in Wales and Chester and though there is a
body ( and body parts ) this is not a work of crime fiction. Indeed the
crime is almost incidental to the plot. What we are offered instead is
a haunting and realistic drama, narrated skilfully from five different
perspectives, in which themes of timeless significance are explored.
This novel has a great deal to say about human relationships in the
21st century; emotional constancy, marital infidelity and the
consequences of each. It also treats of ambition, betrayal and lust.
Couple that with a first rate plot and a keen sense of pace and you
have all the ingredients necessary for a stunning debut novel.....more
here
and here.
John A. Shaffer: St Winifred's Well This
meticulously researched book will
be a source of delight to
antiquarians and lovers of Wales everywhere. There are many accounts of
the circumstances leading to St
Winifred's canonisation but few people
will be aware of the struggle at the beginning of the last century to
save the well that bears her name from industruial despoilation.
Likewise only a very select few can claim to have visited the enormous
underground lake from which the spring originally flowed.....more
Owen Sheers: Resistance This
novel is set in an alternative
universe. One in which the Nazis succeed
in conquering Russia and
invading Britain after the failure of the
D-Day landings in 1944.
Such literary
contrivances can seem very intrusive in a work of 'mainstream' literature
but to Owen Sheers' credit the conceit is rendered with a masterful touch and
seems almost essential in order to intensify the focus of the books' main theme. In the
depths of a freezing winter in a remote corner of the Black Mountains in South
Wales two people consider whether it is possible to 'cheat' history; leave the
past behind and assert their shared humanity in the midst of bloody
conflict. ......more.
Google
Books
read
or download Thomas Pennant's "Tours in Wales" here
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Bryn Seion 72nd annual Gymanfu Ganu. 5 Top Reasons to reject the Severn Barrage A three course traditional menu for St Davids day. Does Wales Need a .CYM? The campaign for a Welsh TLD. Lecture Notes on The Herring!! |
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From the World Wide Web Cats That Look Like Hitler Bread Is Dangerous Welsh Toast Arranging Suicide Jumper Bottle Blade Mozart |
