Welsh Poet Gwyn writes dashing historical tale
Such a mature writer is Richard Gwyn, a Welsh poet who has written several major collections, including "One Night in Icarus Street," "Stone Dog," and more recently, "Walking on Bones" and "Being in Water."
Gwyn studied anthropology at the London School of Economics, then worked as a milkman and sawyer. When he was injured in an industrial accident, he moved to Crete and bought a fishing boat. For nine years he sailed the Mediterranean, meeting all sorts of different people.
He then walked across northern Spain, returned to Wales, married Rose Pallot and they had two daughters together. In the '90s he wrote books about illness and health.
In his heart, Gwyn is still a poet with no desire for fame. "My priority is my wife and children," he said by phone from his home in Cardiff. "Diversity helps in writing novels but I didn't plan any of it. I never thought I would write novels."
Yet his first novel, "The Color of a Dog Running Away," set in the gothic quarter of Barcelona, was published in the United Kingdom in 2005 to surprising popularity. The intriguing title may have something to do with that.
Gwyn explains the 13th-century Cathar idiom in his prologue, saying it "refers to something of an indeterminate or vague and shadowy appearance, perhaps suggesting a fugitive reality."
The description nicely fits his romantic, adventurous, historical novel. And who could ever forget "The Color of a Dog Running Away"?
According to Gwyn, when his book was translated into Portuguese, it came out as "The Donkey Running Away." And in Spanish it was changed to "Woman in the Night," the name of a painting that figures in the plot.
Gwyn's second novel, "Deep Hanging Out," will be published in the UK in 2007. And he has completed a third novel, "The Blue Tent," which no publisher has yet seen.
Writing the first novel got off to a slow start. He was aware that sometimes "poets write a novel that is a bit precious ... just a lot of lovely language." And he desperately didn't want that.
So a decade ago he wrote the first chapter of "Dog" and put it in a drawer. Five years later he finally returned to it and wrote it as he does his poetry very fast, followed by many drafts. "I made myself write it," he said.
He did little research for the book because he had lived in Barcelona and it left an indelible impression. As he writes, "Barcelona never sleeps, she just turns over, takes a deep breath and puts on a new face."
Gwyn wrote about Lucas, a musician and translator who is a bit lazy and overly involved in the night life. Also, "the roof people," who wander from one flat rooftop to another, sometimes squatting. And the fire-eaters, and many other interesting people especially Nuria, an utterly intriguing young woman with whom Lucas has a passionate affair.
Comments
- 16 killed in Somalia 9:23 a.m.
- Mass funeral for massacre victims 9:22 a.m.
- Obama: 'Africa not separate' 9:20 a.m.
- Former cop seeks parole 9:17 a.m.
- 5 hurt in latest Pamplona bull run 8:49 a.m.
- Delay in Jackson guardianship case 8:47 a.m.
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- Man spots his stolen car
- LDS seminary principal arrested
193 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
137 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
129 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
79 - Letters: Single-payer system best
75 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
75
There were some errors in the reporting of the University of Utah's...
It should come as no surprise that American and British casualties have...
Millsap will be an average player in Portland. Roy runs that team and the...
I had to re-read the article after reading these posts. I didn't read...
Many people obviously love Brother Pratt, but my heart goes out to his...
Why does inacceptable behavior become justifiable under the guise of...
I hope I am not speaking too quickly, but in the about ten comments I have...
It is ZION for your information---- for now anyway. Secede?? Why should we...
We could pull out of this recession by extending the Bush tax cuts that are...
| 9:21 a.m. July 10, 2009 I'm not surprised to hear that Sen Bennett is...
It ain't over till the fat lady gets the red dress.




You can be the first to comment on this story.