Historical
A companion to the literature of Wales feels like exactly the sort of book that could quietly ruin a weekend in the best way. Small country, very old literature, and suddenly you’re down three side roads you didn’t know existed.
I haven’t read it, but I do like the idea of a reference book that sends you off rabbit-holing rather than just tidying things up for you. Wales has always seemed like one of those places where the literary history is doing far more than most people realise.
I haven’t read it, but I do like the idea of a reference book that sends you off rabbit-holing rather than just tidying things up for you. Wales has always seemed like one of those places where the literary history is doing far more than most people realise.
I’m about halfway through and the rabbit-holing is definitely the point. It’s less “tidy reference book” and more “here are the gaps you didn’t know you had”. That’s the appealing bit, though it can also be a bit demanding if you’re not in the mood to keep stopping and looking things up.
Wales feels like a good subject for that. Small country, yes, but not a small literature.
Wales feels like a good subject for that. Small country, yes, but not a small literature.