Gwyn Thomas (1) (1913–1981)

“All Things Betray Thee” wears its bleeding heart on the pages:

“We are the something that happens, Katherine. If we are still, the world’s a desert.”

Is stuffed with aphorisms:

“A man pinned under a rock will show bruises, if not understanding.”

And gleams in a sun epiphanic and restless:

“I’ve heard of such men, Eddie. I’m not like them. The feel of other men’s lives is rough as sandstone on my face. I dodge away from it, that’s the great aim of all my breathing. I give as little of a damn for whether they find salvation as for whether they find gold or dung or amethyses or smallpox or whatever it is they feel will belly out their lives. But I’m glad such men exist as feel the fever of a boundless misery. Somehow, somewhere, I suppose they keep the root of something watered, something that off and on serves as a magnet even for the slowest, daftest feet.”… (mehr)

The only way to give you a genuine idea of this book is to quote it -- extensively, which I'll refrain from overdoing. The Alone to the Alone is endearing and funny, and the grey reality of its subject matter only serves to emphasise the warmth and humour of the book itself. It does gymnastics with language without even touching the edge of self-conscious pretentiousness (at least as I see it).

His complacency, between the whisky and the way we stood there dumbly listening, had reached a fresh peak. His face looked the cosiest thing on earth. With leather binding on the ears to take the strain one could have sat on it and felt grateful.

As for plot, well, it's set in Wales, in the slums, during the Great Depression. It's about love and poverty; unemployment and the Government; justice and injustice, with a greater emphasis on the latter. It's a political book, and decidedly left-wing. There is anger in this novel, but it's veiled by a sort of ironic garrulousness - and the resigned tone of the narrative voice is perhaps its greatest charm.

We were seeking, without wealth, influence or a map, for the materials of a new social understanding aimed at something lower than love, a muddied concept, but fixed beyond the chilling reach of envy and contempt. A large order as all know who have taken more than half a dozen steps beyond the cradle. Now here was this Shadrach measuring our rhapsody for the hatchet and describing us as woodlice. We gave the term some thought for we had never been called that in the afternoon before. We are larger, fairer-skinned and faster. We eat no wood unless it has been thoroughly ground beforehand...

Gwyn Thomas reminds me a lot of Ruth Park - but that comparison would give a slightly skewed idea of either author. Still, think of The Harp in the South, and you've got something at least similar to The Alone to the Alone, only the latter is funnier, has more elastic language, and verges oh so slightly on the absurd.

I'm not sure why others feel there isn't an ending to this book; it was satisfying to me. Those who deserve it most get their come-uppance, and there is a much-needed avoidance of a fairytale happy-ever-after.… (mehr)

Newly republished by the Library of Wales this is a dark, grim and sometimes humorous collection 3 novellas by Gwyn Thomas an author and playwright who was described as 'the true voice of the English-speaking valleys'. Born in 1913 the youngest son of a coalminer and struggling to find work during the 30s depression he is writing here, what he knows. This will do nothing to shift old welsh stereotypes of poverty stricken, downtrodden miners and huge numbers of unemployed living in tiny, cold damp houses amidst the much rained upon slag heaps but that doesn’t lessen its interest or value.

The longest story (The Dark Philosophers itself) is by far the best. The initial description of bunch of guys sitting around an Italian cafe discussing politics may not sell it. It is really a delicious tale of religion, politics, love and revenge with a very amusing, sarcastic narrator and populated with some real and interesting characters. A story to chew and relish in the up and coming ending. Thomas really shines here and it’s worth seeking the book out for this story alone.

The other two tales are shorter and less memorable. Oscar I read long ago and barely remember apart from the unremitting bleakness and downbeat ending, the flashes of humour passing me by as my modern sensibilities were overwhelmed. The last is the most shocking but suffers from the plot being obvious to a modern reader, still it’s an err.. entertaining tale of incest and murder in the valleys, rich in description and characters.… (mehr)

Thomas shows us the lives of half a dozen or so main characters in a small Welsh town. The coal mines are closed and most folks live on public assistance. What's left of the labor unions seems like the core of the town's culture. Various religious sects move through too with revivals etc.

To what extent can a person really just buckle down and work hard and make themselves successful, despite a start in such bleak surroundings? And if a person does make themselves such a success, is it to the detriment of others? Maybe it is better just to accept the limits that one's circumstances impose, and just find some simple happiness within those limits.

Thomas gives us an excellent story to explore questions like this. His characters are always reflecting on the unfolding of events. There is some good connivance, too, where the real schemers are playing with various presentations of events to try to win the support or cooperation of others.

The language of this novel really sparkles. Practically every paragraph has some colorful analogy. Through the whole novel, these never get stale or repetitious. It's a real tour de force in that dimension.

This novel was a great pleasure to read and a thoughtful exploration of some core universal issues. It's a colorful portrayal of bottom-dogs living in a decaying Welsh mining town.… (mehr)