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Welsh (Plural)

Essays on the Future of Wales

Darren Chetty editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Watkins Media Limited

Published:8th Mar '22

Should be back in stock very soon

Welsh (Plural) cover

What does it mean to imagine Wales and ‘The Welsh’ as something both distinct and inclusive? In Welsh (Plural), some of the foremost Welsh writers consider the future of Wales and their place in it. For many people, Wales brings to mind the same old collection of images – if it’s not rugby, sheep and leeks, it’s the 3 Cs: castles, coal, and choirs. Heritage, mining and the church are indeed integral parts of Welsh culture. But what of the other stories that point us toward a Welsh future? In this anthology of essays, authors offer imaginative, radical perspectives on the future of Wales as they take us beyond the clichés and binaries that so often shape thinking about Wales and Welshness. Includes essays from Charlotte Williams (A Tolerant Nation?), Joe Dunthorne (Submarine, The Adulterants), Niall Griffiths (Sheepshagger, Broken Ghost), Rabab Ghazoul (Gentle / Radical Turner Prize Nominee), Mike Parker (On the Red Hill), Martin Johnes (Wales Since 1939, Wales: England’s Colony?), Kandace Siobhan Walker (2019 Guardian 4th Estate Prize Winner), Gary Raymond (Golden Orphans, Wales Arts Review, BBC Wales), Darren Chetty (The Good Immigrant), Andy Welch (The Guardian), Marvin Thompson (Winner 2021 UK Poetry Prize), Durre Shahwar (Where I’m Coming From), Hanan Issa (My Body Can House Two Hearts), Dan Evans (Desolation Radio), Shaheen Sutton, Morgan Owen, Iestyn Tyne, Grug Muse and Cerys Hafana.

"A smart and timely exploration of Welshness and the role of identity in shaping our politics and potential for solidarity."
"Nourishing and enlightening."
"Full of insight and perspectives we can all learn from. This is an essential collection in understanding the rich diversity of Welsh identities, plural."
"Fascinating, thought provoking, poignant and powerful. A vital collection of essays exploring Welshness through a diverse and brilliant authorship. An absolute must read."
"A fresh picture of what it means to be Welsh today. These essays ask the hard questions with thoughtfulness, urgency and endless wit. A detailed, entertaining exploration of identity.”
“Everyone with a stake in Wales’ future should read this collection of essays. Insightful, poetic, angry, informative – such a rich tapestry of voices. A wonderful book.”
“From its title onwards, Welsh (Plural) sets out to challenge outdated ideas of Welsh history, culture and identity and succeeds in its aim, its eclectic range of writers illuminating the tapestry of contemporary Wales.”
"Taking on the mantle of cultural analysis from Raymond Williams, the book features a wide range of some of the most talented writers from Wales. Diverse and thought-provoking – and at times very funny – this is a book to treasure and share for generations to come.”
“A vessel for a generously abundant, gentle-spirited yet often insurrectionist plurality, whose welcome lack of inhibition combines with intellectual rigour from many of Wales’ most ground-breaking thinkers.”
“Entertaining, erudite, political, these essays will be a joy to anyone with an interest in our nation.”

ISBN: 9781913462666

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

270 pages

New edition