A thorough analysis of the identity of Romantic literature in the context of personal, political and cultural responses at the turn of the 19th century, comprising a specific study of the contribution of Wales, in particular the Wye valley, to the development of this literature. 9 black-and-white illustrations.

Dadansoddiad trylwyr o hunaniaeth llenyddiaeth Rhamantaidd yng nghyd-destun ymatebion personol, gwleidyddol a diwylliannol ar droad yr 19eg ganrif, yn cynnwys astudiaeth benodol o gyfraniad Cymru, yn arbennig ardal dyffryn Gwy, i ddatblygiad y llenyddiaeth hwn. 9 llun du-a-gwyn.

The canonical literature of the late eighteenth century, that in this book includes works by Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Thelwall and Southey, is often read as a universe in its own right, with the influence upon it of other literary and political writers forgotten in the process of canonical elevation. These forgotten ‘Presences that Disturb’, many of whom were Welsh, are the subject of this book.

For example, the influence of Welsh radicals such as Edward Williams, better known by his bardic name ‘Iolo Morganwg’, and David Williams on the early and more radical persona of William Wordsworth is made via in depth profiles of each writer, together with thematic comparisons of their works. Sometimes this is complemented by detailed textual analysis that, on occasion, feels slightly overdone. There is also a fascinating analysis of the influence on the canonical authors of Welsh history, myth and landscape; particularly that of the Wye Valley, which many of them saw as a surrogate for the pastures of revolutionary France.

The danger of this revisionist approach to the canon is that the presences that disturb are often more interesting than those they disturbed. A worry the author concedes in his ‘Epilogue’ where he seeks to reassure us that ‘the canonical stature of Wordsworth is not . . . usurped or diminished’ by the influences he has discussed. The author is hard on himself here, downplaying his achievement too far.

The erudition and mastery of sources on display are beyond discussion in a short review. Suffice to say that although this is a scholarly text aimed principally at an academic readership, it will still reward the amateur literateur or historian wishing to understand the significant influence the marginalized world of Welsh letters made on the wider literary and political culture of the late eighteenth century.

Paul Frame

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.