Feeling inspired to pick up a Welsh book this St David's Day? Here's 5 top reads you might want to consider:
- The Dig, Cynan Jones – A short, but tense, exploration of the landscape, the natural world and human instinct makes this novel both exciting and heart-breaking. The effects of grief, isolation and the destruction of the natural world are all challenged here, against the backdrop of West Wales.
- Cosmic Latte, Rachel Trezise – This insightful collection of short stories from Rachel Trezise offers us a glimpse of life both in Wales and around the world. There’s something for everyone here, from sinister plots in ‘Holiday of a Lifetime’ to tear-jerking romance in ‘Punctuation’, this is a versatile and understated collection.
- A Dylan Thomas Treasury, Dylan Thomas – This is a lovely collection of poems, broadcasts and short stories by Dylan Thomas, invoking a warm sense of home and memories of Welsh childhood. Worth a read before #DylanDay on May 14th.
- I Sent a Letter to My Love, Bernice Rubens – A brilliant novel which explores the uncomfortable dynamic between a brother and sister caught in a web of lies and secrecy. Set against the backdrop of Porthcawl’s rugged coastline Rubens’ 1975 novel is well worth a read.
- Sugar and Slate, Charlotte Williams – A fascinating exploration of Welsh identity and a semi-autobiographical account of growing up torn between Guyana and North Wales. This powerful book has much to say about the way in which we perceive national identity and how it affects us as individuals.