Caradog Prichard (1904–1980)

Coming of age in a small Welsh village in the later 1910s. More a collection of tales than a "novel" but beautifully written, reeks of atmosphere. (It’s well worth the few minutes to read the translator’s introduction because he explains the naming practices; it’s a very small village and few people go by their “formal” names. Instead, you have people called by their professions or their relationships to others: Little Will Policeman’s Dad, Grace Ellen Shoe Shop, Frank Bee Hive, show more Bob Milk Cart, Johnny Beer Barrel’s Dad, and Price the School.) According to one of the commentaries I read online, the English translation “miraculously [conveys] the incantatory biblical and Celtic cadences of the original.” I believe it. Indeed, I should note that the cadences and "feel" of the language are so strong, even in translation, that it took me a number of pages before I became truly comfortable with it. But once having done so, the voice seems inevitable and inextricable from the text. Without knowing a word of Welsh, I'd say it's a truly lovely translation. Very highly recommended. show less

Review coming when I’ve read it again

En månelys nat af Caradog Prichard
Vi befinder os i en lille landsby i Wales omkring 1. verdenskrig. Det hele bliver fortalt gennem en navnløs drengs øjne, og fordi man ser det hele med et barns øjne, er sproget meget dagligdags-agtigt og præget af talesprog. Han bor alene med sin mor under meget fattige vilkår, og de må indimellem leve af almisser fra venner og familie.

Det går efterhånden op for læseren at livet i den lille landsby langtfra er idyllisk – moren viser sig at være show more ramt af en sindssygdom og hovedpersonen indeholder nogle skyggesider, der først for alvor kommer til udtryk sidst i bogen.

En sært fascinerende roman, der stiller flere spørgsmål end den giver svar. show less