A novel set in the late 40s and based in a small slate quarry town in north Wales, in which the story develops with laughter, tears, hopes, disappointments, and skeletons in cupboards. This is the first ever novel in English written by the prominent author Eigra Lewis Roberts.

Nofel wedi'i gosod ar ddiwedd y 40au a dechrau'r 50au ac wedi'i lleoli mewn tref chwarel fechan yn ngogledd Cymru. Mae'r stori yn datblygu mewn llawenydd, dagrau, siomedigaethau a chyfrinachau. Dyma nofel Saesneg gyntaf yr awdur nodedig Eigra Lewis Roberts.

Eigra Lewis Roberts is one of the most popular contemporary Welsh language fiction writers, and her new novel marks a departure in her career in that it is written in English.

In this novel, the author writes with spontaneous wit and in a completely convincing first person present tense narrative style of a Welsh childhood in a slate quarrying community in Gwynedd, which many readers may identify as Blaenau Ffestiniog, where Eigra Lewis Roberts grew up. The story is related by young Helen Owen, a child who is caught up in the tensions involved when her natural inclinations prove to be at variance with parental expectations and the authority of school.

It is probably the humour which the reader will recall most vividly after reading the book, as, for example, when Helen describes her Uncle Bob as 'tall and thin, he droops as if he's been left in the dark a very long time.' When a teacher tells her that she must keep her nose to the grindstone she has 'no idea what a grindstone is, but it sounds very painful'. An obese chapel minister is described as having 'grown another chin during the last fortnight because of all the mince pies he's been eating'.

Some time ago I published an anthology focussing on childhood. Had this book been available then, I would certainly have included a substantial extract. I recommend it warmly.

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 ganiatâd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.