The warm reminiscences of childhood and adolescence years in Swansea during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, comprising reflections on religion and politics, sex and love, and on the hardships of family life with a father away at sea following the Depression. 10 black-and-white photographs.

Atgofion cynnes am flynyddoedd plentyndod a ieuenctid yn Abertawe yn ystod yr 1920au, 1930au a'r 1940au, yn cynnwys sylwadau ar grefydd a gwleidyddiaeth, rhyw a chariad, ac ar galedi bywyd teuluol gyda thad ar y môr yn dilyn y Dirwasgiad. 10 llun du-a- gwyn.

Barbara Hardy is a well-known academic who has written extensively on Shakespeare, George Eliot and the Brontes, but in this book she writes in a highly readable and entertaining way of her Welsh childhood. This is the world of 'Children’s Hour', 'Workers' Playtime', Boots lending libraries, majestic Odeon cinemas and tea rooms in which waitresses wore impeccable black and white uniforms.

The author came from a lower middle class family and her parents' relationship had its ups and downs. Then there were the aunts and uncles and I particularly enjoyed the account of Ron, a frustrated intellectual.

For much of her childhood Barbara Hardy lived very close to Cwmdonkin Drive and she is now an authority on Dylan Thomas's work. Many readers may be attracted most by the account of schooldays and the author's relationship with her teachers and fellow pupils. Schoolgirl crushes were commonplace and, in fact, I cannot recall another childhood memoir in which burgeoning sexuality is treated in such a delightful and frank way.

Swansea Girl, first published a few years ago, is a worthy addition to Seren’s list of reprints.

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.