Skip to navigation | Skip to content

Share your knowledge. Make a difference.

Anglo-Welsh Literature

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 2 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #6652 in Arts & Lit, #142174 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

What is Anglo-Welsh Literature?

 

The Wikipedia defines it as:-"a term used to describe works written in the English language by Welsh writers, especially if they either have subject matter relating to Wales or (as in the case of Anglo-Welsh poetry in particular) are influenced by the Welsh language in terms of patterns of usage or syntax." I am broadly satisfied with that definition and prefer to avoid the sterile academic debates concerning the precise denotation of the term.

In recent decades we have witnessed a flowering of literary culture in Wales and  stereotypical Welsh writing so famously satirized by Harri Webb in his poem  "Synopsis of the Great Welsh Novel" has been left far behind. We have seen the emergence of Welsh noir ( Niall Griffiths, Malcolm Pryce, John Williams ) which continues to be popular and other major talents such as Lloyd jones, Rachel Trezise, Trezza Azzopardi and Owen Sheers have made their presence known.

All in all these are exciting times for literature in Wales and I hope that this page will help to introduce the works of these authors to a new audience.

 


 

Biography of the Welsh Gandhi 

( English Translation from the original Welsh launched at the Hay Festival this week )

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

Americymru: New American Welsh Social Network 

Anyone interested in Anglo-Welsh literature in the US ( or Wales ) might consider joining the Americymru Social Network. Here are the membership requirements:-

Americymru Social Network

This is a very exclusive group. In order to join you must:-

A. Be Welsh or of Welsh descent...or not.
B. Be a keen admirer of Tom Jones...or not.
C. Know at least 2 Windsor Davies quotes...or not.
D. Know how to give detailed directions from Fochriw to Ystradgynlais
avoiding all main roads and passing at least 15 pubs en route...or
not.

The above nonsense notwithstanding feel free to join if you have some
regard for, and/or interest in, Wales and Welsh culture and way too
much time on your hands.

Americymru Social Network

Sea Holly:Robert Minhinnick 

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.

Sea Holly 

Sea Holly

Sea Holly

by Robert Minhinnick

Amazon Price: $13.95 (as of 08/28/2008)
List Price: $13.95
Used Price: $12.23

Usually ships in 24 hours

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.

Buy on Amazon 

Resistance: A Novel

Resistance: A Novel

by Owen Sheers

Release Date: 02/19/2008

Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 08/28/2008)
List Price: $23.95
Used Price: $5.24

Usually ships in 24 hours

Skirrid Hill

Skirrid Hill

by Owen Sheers

Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 08/28/2008)
List Price: $12.95
Used Price: $27.62

Usually ships in 6 to 7 days

Blue Sky July: Nia Wyn 

Her prose style is breathtaking! Follow the link to download the first three chapters of this minor masterpiece and see for yourself:- LINK

Buy on Amazon 

Blue Sky July

Blue Sky July

by Nia Wyn

Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 08/28/2008)

Rachel Trezise 

Ok I.ll go out on a limb and say that Rachel Trezise is one of the finest short story writers alive today. She writes about poverty and youth in a post-miners strike South Wales with particular emphasis on the Rhondda valley. Whilst her evocations of that area will delight people who are acquainted with it, her themes are sufficiently universal to entrance readers everywhere. Her stories are firmly anchored in their own geographical context and as a result they are able to project a universal significance.

It was once fashionable to praise short story writers by describing their works as 'Chekovian'. Rachel Trezise's stories are not 'Chekovian'. They do not follow the 'Life in the day of" approach of the best of Chekov and deal instead with very concrete and structured incidents in the classic short story tradition. Indeed one of her stories entitled 'Chickens' has a morally didactic tone reminiscent of Katherine Mansfield's classic tale "The Doll's House".more

 

Fresh Apples

Fresh Apples

by Rachel Trezise

Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 08/28/2008)

Usually ships in 24 hours

General 

Upcoming literary events, publication dates etc.
My Google Library
A link to my Google "Library".
Google "My Library" Reviews
Book review page on Americymru.com.

The Authors 

This list is intended to represent as wide a variety of Welsh writing as possible. It will grow! If anyone has suggestions for authors to include please contact me or post in the Guestbook.
Rhys Henry Hughes
A Welsh master of the absurd!
Niall Griffiths
The uncompromising creator of "Sheepshagger", "Grits" and "Stump"
Malcolm Pryce
Welsh Noir set in Aberystwyth.
John Williams
Welsh Noir set in Tiger Bay, Cardiff.
John Evans
"One of the most committed writers in Wales today"
Alastair Reynolds
A first rate Welsh born science fiction writer.
Dave Langford
Welsh science fiction writer from Newport, Gwent.
Owen Sheers
New talent! Poet and Novelist
Desmond Barry
Novelist and short story writer.
Trezza Azzopardi
Author of "The Hiding Place", shortlisted for the Booker prize in 2000.
Lloyd Jones
A surreal novelist. Major new talent.
Rachel Trezise
One of the finest short story writers alive today!
Gee Williams
Scriptwriter, poet and novelist from North Wales.

Some Recommended Titles 

This is not a top ten! Just a list of fine Welsh writing available from amazon.com. Most of these titles are referenced or reviewed elsewhere on this site or in links.

New Featured Lenses 

featured lens Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway - With full name: Ernest Miller Hemingway (born July 21, 1899 - died July 2, 1961) was an American writer, and journalist. Hemingway led quite a turbulent life: He was married four times, and had many romantic relationships. He recei...

featured lens Top 10 Audio Books

There are many great audio books on the market, and most likely not everybody will agree with this list, these are my top 10 audio books lists for the various categories that one can classify audio books into. The books are set up so that you can chan...

featured lens The Top 10 Best Novels of All Time

In 2005, Time Magazine held a readers' poll for the top 10 greatest novels of all time. Here's a list of what the results came out to be!

Guestbook & Suggestions 

Please feel free to sign our guestbook. We particularly welcome suggestions for authors to include in our Links list. Croeso!

CDT

Oh wow...Welsh Literature on Squidoo :D

Being of Welsh origins myself, I'm over the moon to see this!

I've recently started a new Squidoo group myself devoted to "British Literature" and wondered if you'd be interested in joining and having this lens featured there? - British Literature (http://www.squidoo.com/groups/british-literature)

Regards CDT

Posted April 08, 2008
antony

hi Neb, i really liked your lens. u have given amazing information regarding Anglo-Welsh Literature. its really praiseworthy. i have also created a lens-lord of the rings audio books

Posted March 23, 2008

Gee Williams

Really nice to see myself listed on your site- the World Wide Welsh have been doing well for Salvage recently! If you'd like a review copy say and it'll happen. good wishes Gee williams .

Posted January 15, 2008

lloyd jones

Good luck with your site Neb. Nice to be featured!
Ever homesick? If you send me your address I'll post you my latest publication, a hand-printed volume of my poems. My email address is lloyd2jones@aol.com
Hwyl!

Posted November 14, 2007

Related topics: Anglo-Welsh Literature,  anglo welsh literature,  anglowelsh literature,  Arts & Literature,  more

X
Neb

About Neb

I am currently living and working in Portland, after immigrating from Wales in 2001. I have a B.A. (Hons) degree from  Cardiff University in Philosophy and History and a British postgraduate teaching qualification ( P.G.C.E.F.E.), as well as training in web design and Linux server administration.  My interests include but are not limited to - Welsh Literature, History, Hill-Walking, WebSite Design and
Maintenance, Linux and Politics.  I am a regular contributor to Americymru.com.

Americymru.com is a Welsh American Heritage site based in Portland, Oregon. It is also the public website of the Oregon Welsh Heritage Society.

Neb's Pages

See all of Neb's pages