Cysgod yn y Coed

by Lois Arnold

Casgliad difyr o naw stori fer gyfoes ysgafn yn portreadu digwyddiadau bob dydd, pob un â thro yn y gynffon; ar gyfer Dysgwyr.

An entertaining collection of nine lighthearted contemporary short stories portraying everyday events, all with a twist in the tail; for Welsh learners.

Genres: Language

79 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Berengaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Llyfr ardderchog ar gyfer dysgwyr ar lefel Sylfaen. Dw i wedi ei ddarllen hi ddwywaith nawr a mae hyd yn oed yn well ar yr ailddarllen. Mae'n debyg achos dydy ddim yn copïo Cyfres Amdani.

Unlike the inane plots of many 'easy readers' for language learners, Lois Arnold's stories are ones you can go back to again and again for practice and still enjoy. The range of topics may not all be to one's liking but the situations are reality-based and the language and sentence examples demonstrate great models for clear, effective Welsh without being childlike.

That all makes this collection not only useful for reading and re-reading (for speed), but also as a resource for structural models of sentence patterns for self-learners not enrolled in a course. Thus far, this is the best reader for learners of Welsh I've run across, including others by Arnold.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

(From Lois Arnold's other books, I've also reviewed Gorau Glas, E-Ffrindiau, and Ffenestri.)

Bobol bach, it feels wrong giving a Lois Arnold book 3 stars - it'd likely be a 3.5 if Goodreads allowed half points, but I don't think I quite liked it enough for a 4. This could change on a re-reading though as I do plan to keep this book around.

The theme of this anthology is short stories with a twist at the end. It's Lois Arnold's first Welsh publication, I believe (it had its first publication in 2004) and I can tell that the 'voice' that I've come to know and love from her books isn't quite the same in this one. I think I've been spoiled by Ffenestri and E-Ffrindiau, os dw i'n bod yn onest.

Level-wise, I'm early part of Sylfaen 1, and didn't need a dictionary nor did I have much trouble with anything. Not to say I read everything fluently, but there's plenty you can get and learn from context. Sadly no glossary at the back compiling the footnote translations, so you might have to do some flicking back, if you need. From checking my Sylfaen coursebook, Cysgod isn't given a recommendation at a certain unit (then again DysguCymraeg tend to stick to Amdani titles) but if you're at a similar stage to me, give it a crack. You won't have many issues, I reckon.

So, the stories themselves - bit of a mixed bag, but I really liked Ar Y Maes, Hunllef Go-Iawn and Ar Y Bont. Ar Y Maes ... we've all known a Sian, but at the same time, I sincerely hope I don't become her as my studies progress! I did have an inkling of where Hunllef was headed, but the twist was far funnier than I expected - similar with Ar Y Bont, but the twist was far more moving. Sometimes, a sense of direction is the true prize, not a winning ticket.

I didn't really register the twist in I'r Gad - it's established quite early on that they're going to protest. Maybe it's how many people showed up in support? If you've read Ffenestri, Sypreis uses the same twist to better effect, I think. And, finally, while they weren't my favourite stories Cyfiawnder and Colli Pwysau came across as being quite ahead of their time near their endings, which were nice to read.

All in all - it's probably my least favourite Lois Arnold offering so far, but not bad by any means and I'll be keeping this one around for pleasure. I've only got one left of hers to read on my wishlist - Sgwp - so I'd better get cracking with finding it on eBay!

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one and its mix of stories. I think it’s the quickest book in Welsh I’ve ever read and left me feeling very accomplished that I managed to read the whole thing (pretty much) without looking at any of the vocab! Yay for progress.

I’ll never stop being surprised that doing a little bit every day really gets you far in the end. And before you know it, you’re reading books in a language that you’re learning as an adult when you never thought it would be a possibility.

The stories in this one were engaging, short, snappy and had some handy hints as to the vocab at the bottom of the page (which is always handy so you don’t have to break away and go to Google translate! When needs must).

I’m unsure of the level of this one but it’s marketed to learners who have been learning Welsh for a year or two and that’s it’s ‘suitable for learners who like a challenge’. Personally I reckon Sylfaen level and you’ll be fine :).

A great resource for a learner - would definitely recommend.

[Ronald Schoedel III · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perffaith i ddysgwyr. Geirfa ar bob tudalen.

[Matthew Batten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyable selection of short stories for Welsh learners. Suitable for Intermediate level.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Llyfr ianw I ddysgwyr lefel sylfaen neu ganolradd. Mae'r storïau yn ddiddorol iawn a'r geiriau'n ddefnyddiol.

[Chelsie]

Read as part of my goal to relearn and strengthen my Welsh. Very easy read, some North Walian in there but didn't really bother me. A good book to ease yourself self back into the language.

[Anthony Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for lefel mynediad. Enjoyable stories, I enjoyed reading and learning at the same time.