This evocative photograph gives you a good idea of what ‘Do Miners Read Dickens?’ by Hywel Francis and Siân Williams is all about. It’s a celebratory coffee-table volume to mark the 40th anniversary of the South Wales Miners’ Library which is part of Swansea University. But in doing that it also tells the story of … More ‘Do Miners Read Dickens?’ by Hywel Francis and Siân Williams
This post isn’t a full review of this book because I’ll be reviewing it for a forthcoming edition of Wales Arts Review. For now, all I’ll say is that its subject matter is a remarkable story of two remarkable people. Actually they think they’re utterly unremarkable which is why what they did raises so many … More ‘Ad and Wal’ by Peter Hain
To read this novel is to experience something remarkable and rare although profoundly discomfiting and emotionally draining. ‘Experienced’ is the apt word because Eimear McBride’s stated intention was to try to immerse the reader in the mind and emotions of her central character, a disturbed young woman whose life is dominated by the effects of … More ‘A Girl Is A Half-formed Thing’ by Eimear McBride
Near the end of ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah,’ Bob Stanley writes that, …the modern pop era was as long as the jazz era; there’s enough in those five decades to spend a lifetime digging through, and even then you’ll never hear all of it. In this book he distills the lifetime that he’s spent digging through … More ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’ by Bob Stanley
I can’t list books of the year in the way that I can with albums and songs because I’m not very good at keeping up with new publications and anyway it takes longer than with music for me to read and re-read in order to work out if I like, love or hate a book. Having … More Books of the year 2013
This took me by surprise in two ways: firstly because of its size and secondly because it was just so enjoyable. That sounds disparaging but it isn’t meant to be. I read Eleanor Catton’s first novel, ‘The Rehearsal,’ a few years ago and loved it. It’s hazy, opaque, fragmented, and elliptical with deliberately artificial dialogue … More ‘The Luminaries’ by Eleanor Catton
This review was first published by Wales Arts Review. I’d strongly recommend a visit there, it’s packed with interesting reviews and essays. I thought I’d put it here for posterity and accompany it with some photos too. You should know from the outset that I can’t be objective about anything to do with Elizabeth Fraser. … More Elizabeth Fraser review
My review of the two Elizabeth Fraser concerts is now on Wales Arts Review here. While you’re there, set aside at least half an hour for all the other goodies available for your reading pleasure.
This also first appeared on Wales Arts Review. There are plenty more reviews and long essays on art and literature to be had there. I don’t know much about classical music but I love listening to live music of any kind and I love the old Bela Lugosi Dracula film with all its creaking campness … More Philip Glass: Dracula. Wales Millennium Centre Sunday 27th May 2012
This review first appeared on Wales Arts Review, the online home for Welsh critical writing. While you’re there, it’s worth spending some time reading the excellent reviews and essays. She’d won us over from the moment she walked on stage, with her band and without fuss. And without fuss, they launched into ‘Dancing Barefoot’, a … More Patti Smith at the Coal Exchange, Cardiff. June 26th 2012.
