A distinctive Welsh novel, fluently translated, which tells the tale of two characters: Melog says he is an exile from Laxaria, a country colonised by Sacria, which has destroyed all Laxarian books. He is found by Dr Jones. Drawing on themes like non-communication and oppression, a tender story of friendship is developed, alongside a satire on people's intentions and purposes.

Nofel wedi'i chyfieithu, ac iddi naws arbennig, sy'n adrodd stori dau gymeriad: dywed Melog ei fod yn ffoadur o wlad Laxaria, gwlad dan orthrwm gwlad arall o'r enw Sacria, sydd wedi llosgi llyfrau Laxaria i gyd. Daw Dr Jones o hyd i Melog ac mae cyfeillgarwch yn datblygu rhyngddynt. Dyma stori am orthrwm a diffyg cyfathrebu, ynghyd a sylwebaeth goeglyd ar fwriadau pobl gwahanol.

Residing somewhere between reality and a world of make-believe populated through myth, legend and fantasy, is Mihangel Morgan’s modern-day classic – ably translated by Christopher Meredith.

Utterly compelling and delightfully obscure, the text follows the perpetually ordinary, aging and work-shy academic Dr Jones and his eponymous, mysterious friend through their intertwined lives. Impossible to pin down, the slim, white-haired Melog seems to defy convention, the author painting a deliberately confusing picture through his clear yet occasionally contradictory narrative of his alien land, Laxaria, and its repression by the evil Sacrians.

Drawing parallels from works of fiction that have gone before him, and touching on historic events that have shaken our world, Morgan seems effortlessly to imply and evoke very real human reaction with his prose, whilst sugar-coating it in a layer of implausible possibilities that belie its stark message. The true meaning of friendship, communication and exactly what we’re doing with our lives on earth seem to shimmer throughout the book as one wonders what the dole-funded professor is doing as he ‘wastes his time’ on studying an archaic encyclopaedia, and whether Melog is a saviour, lunatic or a figment of the imagination (or all three).

But what makes this book so entertaining, as well as the swirling cloud of ideas, charged confusion and ambiguity that perpetuates every page, is the firm and fine story that contains it all. As well as being full of spectacularly colourful characters, such as Jabez Ifans, the 104-year-old deaf potato fryer, Meurif, the friendly Tourettes sufferer, Mr Job, the eccentric old book copier and a whole host of others, the mini-adventures, scrapes and unique conversations will delight any reader.

Portraying an everyday Welsh community, questioning life, and putting across a fine narrative, this book will test your perceptions and perhaps bring you a step closer to something magical!

Heartily recommended!

Jack Clothier

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.