A biography drawing on original material from archives and personal papers to show the development of the bard and to bring new insight to Thomas's early work; includes 64 black-and-white photographs, explanatory notes, comprehensive bibliography and index.

Cofiant sy'n canolbwyntio ar ddatblygiad y bardd ac yn cynnig agwedd newydd ar waith cynnar Thomas; yn cynnwys 64 ffotograff du-a-gwyn, nodiadau esboniadol, llyfryddiaeth gynhwysfawr a mynegai.

There are more myths and legends about Dylan Thomas than about any other poet since Byron, and the search for the truth about his life is a difficult one for any biographer. Having already read the accounts by Constantine Fitzgibbon, Paul Ferris, Jonathon Fryer and Andrew Sinclair, I really wondered whether any significant aspects had been overlooked. I need not have worried, for Lycett has produced a meticulously researched book which I feel may prove to be the definitive biography. Its 512 pages may make it the longest as well.

The author writes of the many childhood influences on the young Dylan in a quite fascinating way, and we get a much more rounded impression of other family members than was previously available. His sojourn in London is also described in considerable detail and, as in other parts of the book, Lycett has drawn on fresh materials; the subtitle ‘A New Life’ is fully justified.

There is much interesting anecdotage about Dylan’s work for the BBC during the ‘golden age’ of radio drama and features. His colleagues included George Orwell, Louise MacNeice and John Arlott. Dylan enjoyed a particularly warm relationship with the latter.

Towards the end of his life, of course, he was the darling of the American universities. His erratic, sometimes totally wild, behaviour is recounted in detail. His search for ‘loans’ and women in wet mackintoshes is well known.

Andrew Lycett has written an extremely readable work. I shall be surprised if this biography is not the final one. As a contribution to our knowledge and understanding of one of our greatest cultural figures it is invaluable.

Dewi Roberts

It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgement should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.

Gellir defnyddio’r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatad Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.