‘Do Miners Read Dickens?’ by Hywel Francis and Siân Williams

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

‘A Girl Is A Half-formed Thing’ by Eimear McBride

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

Philip Glass: Dracula. Wales Millennium Centre Sunday 27th May 2012

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