Dylan Thomas's Swansea, Gower and Laugharne

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Description

Dylan Thomas's notorious life continues to fascinate. His work has never been out of print. Responses to such interest have included 'Dylan Thomas Trails' and various publications on Dylan Thomas and his background. This is the first book to describe in detail the relationship between Thomas's life and work and the three places most important to him, in a visitor-friendly guidebook format. The result is a book for all who are interested in Dylan Thomas and the places that shaped him, whether literary tourist or armchair traveller, Dylan Thomas specialist or simply someone who likes visiting places made famous or interesting through links with the famous. The book begins with the arrival in Swansea of Thomas's father and offers background on Swansea's history and literary history. A tour of Dylan Thomas's Swansea then follows, highlighting the places in which he grew up and developed as a writer, and showing how aspects of the city enter his work. A second chapter visits Gower to demonstrate Thomas's relationship with the peninsula and the extent to which it is a setting for his work. The third chapter takes the reader through Laugharne, revealing links both in his life and his writings. Throughout the text is supported by photographs and specially drawn maps for visitors. The result is an unique literary guide that will increase the enjoyment of the literary tourist and foster deeper knowledge of Dylan Thomas's life, work and influential places.

Reviews

'This is the most pleasing of books: a small slender volume that generously cover its subject ... This Guide, impeccably researched and comprehensively indexed, meets every need of the literary tourist and offers much to Thomas specialists besides ... richly informative in terms of biography, topography and literary history, James Davies's enjoyable Guide should give long, and valuable service.' (Planet) '...a unique portrait of the artist and the places that shaped him.' Western Telegraph '...required reading for those visitors who flock to Swansea on the Dylan Thomas trail.' The Western Mail

Author Bio

James Davies is senior lecturer at the University of Wales, Swansea. Over the last fifteen years he has published extensively on Dylan Thomas, most recently A reference Companion to Dylan Thomas with Greenwood. He is also author of Dylan Thomas's Places, and is an authority on literary Swansea.