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View Across the Valley, A
Twenty short stories by women writers, reflecting their realities, dreams and personal images of Wales - from the industrial communities of the south to the hinterlands of the rural west and the border country of east Wales. This rich and diverse collection provides an opportunity for the modern reader to discover a lost tradition of English-language storytelling by women from Wales, for most of the stories it includes have never been republished since their first appearance in print. As well as being entertaining - and often moving - in themselves, the stories demonstrate how late nineteenth and early twentieth century women contributed to the development of Welsh culture and identity, although their contribution has since been forgotten. This volume also includes a general introduction, and biographical and textual notes on each author and text, by the editor, Jane Aaron, a renowned expert on Welsh women's writing.
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
326 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 1999
About the author
Jane Aaron
21 books3 followersJane Rhiannon Aaron is a former Professor of English at the University of Glamorgan and has published extensively on Welsh literature and the writings of Welsh women.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 29, 2011
A View Across the Valley is a collection of short stories by the often doubly neglected Welsh women writers of the century between 1850-1950. It contains twenty stories by nineteen different authors -- Margiad Evans has two stories included, a decision I don't disagree with at all.
As a collection, they're all readable and interesting -- some of them more optimistic, like The Old Song and the New, which is a fairytale of unity; others more focused on realism. The high points, for me, were the description of the dream David has in the story of that title; The Call of the River, because it is very sweet and I have a soft spot for fairytales; A Thing of Nought, as the one that made me feel most strongly; A Modest Adornment, because it portrayed a lesbian couple, and particularly for the last line.
Well worth reading, or at least dipping into, if you're interested in the Welsh short story -- or you just want to read some good stories.
As a collection, they're all readable and interesting -- some of them more optimistic, like The Old Song and the New, which is a fairytale of unity; others more focused on realism. The high points, for me, were the description of the dream David has in the story of that title; The Call of the River, because it is very sweet and I have a soft spot for fairytales; A Thing of Nought, as the one that made me feel most strongly; A Modest Adornment, because it portrayed a lesbian couple, and particularly for the last line.
Well worth reading, or at least dipping into, if you're interested in the Welsh short story -- or you just want to read some good stories.
May 5, 2009
A thoroughly enjoyable collection of tales from a variety of Welsh female writers.
Mad Molls Story by Anne Beale tells the tale of Mary a child who was sent to live with a family in North Wales where she suffers abuse at the hands of the mother and neglect by the father. It gives an interesting insight into how families honoured their commitments even when they resented them. It is a well written illustration of how powerful wives were even though we think of women of the time being more submissive.
David by Mallt Williams tells of the battle between true love and religion in one man, David, and how he sacrifices his love for Gwen to follow the religion of his choosing, which is different to that of Gwen and the other village residents. It is interesting to see how the new religion that dominates David's character is portrayed as somewhat self-righteous while the established religion of Gwen and others is more laid back and less demanding. The change in David's character from a love-sick young man to an arrogant and aloof religious man is profound and you do really feel for Gwen when she realises the choice he has made.
Nancy on the Warpath by Sara Maria Saunders is a brilliant tale of how a wife takes on her husband's father in a battle of stubborness and determination to get her husband reunited with his parents following an arguement that has evidently dragged on for years. It is testement to the quiet yet unwielding determination that women have had and still have today. Nancy's character is also an interesting contrast to that of Mrs Morris as Nancy went against her husband's wishes and sorted the problem out while Mrs Morris followed her husband's wishes although with an obviously heavy heart.
The Old Song and the NEw by Gwyneth Vaughan is a classicaly Celtic tale of a Celtic people having to divide in order to survive and how following many years of toil are finally reunited. The role of the women is paramount in this tale as it is the womenfolk who first lead the way in ensuring the survival of their people.
Home Sweet Home by Allen Raine is a heart wrenching tale following Nancy Vaughan who is widowed and lives with her arrogant and ungrateful son until he decides to send her to the local workhouse under the premise that she is going to live with one of her daughters. Although Nancy seems quite passive at the start of the tale her quiet determination builds and builds until she escapes the workhouse and doggedly heads out into the snow covered Welsh hills to get back to her home from which her son so callously removed her. Although she doesn't manage to make it there in this world, one would like to think she made it home in the next.
An All-Hallows Eve Honeymoon by Jeannette Marks is a darkly amusing tale of a husband and wife who both wished the other dead on All Hallows Eve and then spend the next year afraid that it would actually come true during which time they both realise that they do actually love each other. The story is set a year following these ill thought out wishes and the reactions of both to the slow creep of time towards midnight they shall be realised. Certaintly a warning to be careful what you wish for...
The Madness of Winifred Owen by Bertha Thomas is a Welsh take on the old Romeo and Juliet story set in a North Wales valley. The tale is told through an un-named narrator who was told the tale by Winifred herself. Classicaly Winifred is set to marry a local farmer's son but meets an English sailor whom she falls in love with. Upon his return from overseas service she seeks the advice of a local doctor (of sorts) who suggests an experiment with a plant poison that would send her temporarily mad thus putting off the farmer's son and allowing her to marry the sailor. Interesting how the two families of Shakespear's play have become the nations of Wales and England, testement to the historic and ongoing 'differences' perhaps.
The Call of the River by Ellen Lloyd Williams is an odd tale of a love affair between man and nature and of the choice between this love and that of a woman. The main character John ultimately decides that it is his love of nature that will prevail and 'becomes' part of the river to which he has given his heart.
The Coward by Kathleen Freeman tells of a man devoted to and dependent on his mother who meets a wild and carefree young woman, called Nancy, and falls in love with her. As his mother passes, he becomes guilt ridden and begins to destroy his relationship by trying to dominate and control Nancy as his mother controlled him. This does not end well and Nancy leaves him to his memories. An interesting tale on many levels with the relationship between mother and son shown to be mutually dependent and continuing after the mother's death. This highlights the weaker character of the son which in the end is his undoing. This is contrasted with Nancy the wild and carefree child of nature who is happy to go where she pleases without ties to anyone or anything.
The Conquered by Dorothy Edwards is an interesting tale following a young man as he visits his cousins in the Borders, where he finds that the previously lively and outgoing character of Ruthie has become quiet and subservent following the arrival of the new neighbour, Gwyneth, who herself first appears as a simple and good natured woman. The reader is given glimpses of the dominant streak to Gwyneth as she 'encourages' Ruthie to sing then belittles her choice of song. Her identification with the Greeks and Romans further emphasises this dominance she desires and obtains over others. By the end of the tale we see Ruthie has retained some of her original character but now portrays it through small subtle acts of defiance as the slaves to the Greeks and Romans once did
The Heads of Coed Uchaf by Nansi Powell Price is a humourous and enjoyable tale of one girl's arrogance as she pits one man against another to win her hand in marriage, which is already given to another. Again set in the Borders, one man is Welsh and the other English and the fact that the Englishman is scared off while the Welshman see's through her little ploy and teaches her a well deserved lesson is interesting to say the least.
Over the Hills and Far Away by Mary Webb is a subtle yet moving tale of a chair maker invited to rest at the hearth of Thresholds Farm during which time the Master of the house takes a liking to her and takes her as his mistress and then his wife. A short but effective tale showing how one can never tell what is behind the next corner or through the next door
A Thing of Nought by Hilda Vaughan is a heart warming and heart wrenching tale of love, loss and sacrifice. Megan and Penry are deeply in love and as Penry heads to Australia to make a llife for them btoh Megan vows to wait for him but after ten long years, seven of which have no word following a letter telling Megan to move on, she is quietly and slowly convinced by her family to marry the local preacher who has recently moved to the area. However after some years Penry returns much to Megan's utter devastation and finds her married and leaves once again. Megan's love for Penry is still so strong that once she knows he is still alive she begins to struggle with the life she has and upon finding out shes pregnant she wills it to be the child she should have had with Penry, and she gets her wish. Years of accusation from her husband follow. Many years later she receives news of Penry's impending death rushes to his side and is with him as he passes, much to her husband's anger and fury. Her husband does redeem himself as one his own death bed he finally realises the truth and is moved to apology and is forgiven and it is also at this point we learn how deep his feelings are for Megan which gives all the more poignancy to the tale.
The Poacher by Eiluned Lewis is an amusing tale of social and class divide where a Canadian family have adopted a young girl and are trying to locate her family and are hoping her to be from the arostocrisy. The narrator learns the truth on his travels however and discovers that she is in fact the daughter of a local man, a known poacher, far from the arostocratic dreams of her adoptive parents.
Davis by Sian Evans is a short tale of a farmer who has become so disillusioned with life that he no longer tries and has let his house, farm and marriage fall into disrepair and neglect. A stark warning to those of the 'i'll do it tomorrow' crowd
The Pattern by Rhian Roberts is told from the eyes of Gwil Rees a young boy born into social advantage who is expected to live up to certain expectations and standards by his parents of whom he asks Why? An interesting insight into the contradictory world of adulthood and of social divides and social snobbery.
The Return by Brenda Chamberlain is an interesting tale of forbidden love and social isolation as Brenda endeavours to cross a foggy sea rather than bare the gossip of the local village following her grocery run. The dense sea fog that engulfs Brenda as she returns home is threatening however through Brenda's eyes it is less forbodding than the penetrating looks from the village gossips.
The Old Woman and the Wind by Margiad Evans is an oddly enjoyable tale of a woman who lives at the top of a hill and is constantly berated by the wind, so much so that to her it becomes a living entity, one with which she converses and engages. A testement to the damage an empty home and isolation can do to the human mind
The Modest Adornment by Margiad Evans is an intriguing tale into the lives of two elderly women who share a home but do not at first glance appear to enjoy each others company. As one passes on the other seems unmoved and as the funeral takes place that the truth emerges to the reader. We are given snippets of tales of the deceased trekking across country to London to find her true love and return with him. It is only at the end that the reader is told that it was for her she went to London and not for him and that the two women were at one time lovers who have since been driven apart by the pressures and complexities of village life and expectation.
The View Across the Valley by Dilys Rowe is a trageic tale following one young girl's attempt to get an alternative view of her industrialised valley where the steel works, canal, slag heaps, and terraced streets merge into the wild natural Welsh countryside. In doing so however she loses herself in the scrubby wilds and is lost as a fire devours the hillside on which she lies.
Mad Molls Story by Anne Beale tells the tale of Mary a child who was sent to live with a family in North Wales where she suffers abuse at the hands of the mother and neglect by the father. It gives an interesting insight into how families honoured their commitments even when they resented them. It is a well written illustration of how powerful wives were even though we think of women of the time being more submissive.
David by Mallt Williams tells of the battle between true love and religion in one man, David, and how he sacrifices his love for Gwen to follow the religion of his choosing, which is different to that of Gwen and the other village residents. It is interesting to see how the new religion that dominates David's character is portrayed as somewhat self-righteous while the established religion of Gwen and others is more laid back and less demanding. The change in David's character from a love-sick young man to an arrogant and aloof religious man is profound and you do really feel for Gwen when she realises the choice he has made.
Nancy on the Warpath by Sara Maria Saunders is a brilliant tale of how a wife takes on her husband's father in a battle of stubborness and determination to get her husband reunited with his parents following an arguement that has evidently dragged on for years. It is testement to the quiet yet unwielding determination that women have had and still have today. Nancy's character is also an interesting contrast to that of Mrs Morris as Nancy went against her husband's wishes and sorted the problem out while Mrs Morris followed her husband's wishes although with an obviously heavy heart.
The Old Song and the NEw by Gwyneth Vaughan is a classicaly Celtic tale of a Celtic people having to divide in order to survive and how following many years of toil are finally reunited. The role of the women is paramount in this tale as it is the womenfolk who first lead the way in ensuring the survival of their people.
Home Sweet Home by Allen Raine is a heart wrenching tale following Nancy Vaughan who is widowed and lives with her arrogant and ungrateful son until he decides to send her to the local workhouse under the premise that she is going to live with one of her daughters. Although Nancy seems quite passive at the start of the tale her quiet determination builds and builds until she escapes the workhouse and doggedly heads out into the snow covered Welsh hills to get back to her home from which her son so callously removed her. Although she doesn't manage to make it there in this world, one would like to think she made it home in the next.
An All-Hallows Eve Honeymoon by Jeannette Marks is a darkly amusing tale of a husband and wife who both wished the other dead on All Hallows Eve and then spend the next year afraid that it would actually come true during which time they both realise that they do actually love each other. The story is set a year following these ill thought out wishes and the reactions of both to the slow creep of time towards midnight they shall be realised. Certaintly a warning to be careful what you wish for...
The Madness of Winifred Owen by Bertha Thomas is a Welsh take on the old Romeo and Juliet story set in a North Wales valley. The tale is told through an un-named narrator who was told the tale by Winifred herself. Classicaly Winifred is set to marry a local farmer's son but meets an English sailor whom she falls in love with. Upon his return from overseas service she seeks the advice of a local doctor (of sorts) who suggests an experiment with a plant poison that would send her temporarily mad thus putting off the farmer's son and allowing her to marry the sailor. Interesting how the two families of Shakespear's play have become the nations of Wales and England, testement to the historic and ongoing 'differences' perhaps.
The Call of the River by Ellen Lloyd Williams is an odd tale of a love affair between man and nature and of the choice between this love and that of a woman. The main character John ultimately decides that it is his love of nature that will prevail and 'becomes' part of the river to which he has given his heart.
The Coward by Kathleen Freeman tells of a man devoted to and dependent on his mother who meets a wild and carefree young woman, called Nancy, and falls in love with her. As his mother passes, he becomes guilt ridden and begins to destroy his relationship by trying to dominate and control Nancy as his mother controlled him. This does not end well and Nancy leaves him to his memories. An interesting tale on many levels with the relationship between mother and son shown to be mutually dependent and continuing after the mother's death. This highlights the weaker character of the son which in the end is his undoing. This is contrasted with Nancy the wild and carefree child of nature who is happy to go where she pleases without ties to anyone or anything.
The Conquered by Dorothy Edwards is an interesting tale following a young man as he visits his cousins in the Borders, where he finds that the previously lively and outgoing character of Ruthie has become quiet and subservent following the arrival of the new neighbour, Gwyneth, who herself first appears as a simple and good natured woman. The reader is given glimpses of the dominant streak to Gwyneth as she 'encourages' Ruthie to sing then belittles her choice of song. Her identification with the Greeks and Romans further emphasises this dominance she desires and obtains over others. By the end of the tale we see Ruthie has retained some of her original character but now portrays it through small subtle acts of defiance as the slaves to the Greeks and Romans once did
The Heads of Coed Uchaf by Nansi Powell Price is a humourous and enjoyable tale of one girl's arrogance as she pits one man against another to win her hand in marriage, which is already given to another. Again set in the Borders, one man is Welsh and the other English and the fact that the Englishman is scared off while the Welshman see's through her little ploy and teaches her a well deserved lesson is interesting to say the least.
Over the Hills and Far Away by Mary Webb is a subtle yet moving tale of a chair maker invited to rest at the hearth of Thresholds Farm during which time the Master of the house takes a liking to her and takes her as his mistress and then his wife. A short but effective tale showing how one can never tell what is behind the next corner or through the next door
A Thing of Nought by Hilda Vaughan is a heart warming and heart wrenching tale of love, loss and sacrifice. Megan and Penry are deeply in love and as Penry heads to Australia to make a llife for them btoh Megan vows to wait for him but after ten long years, seven of which have no word following a letter telling Megan to move on, she is quietly and slowly convinced by her family to marry the local preacher who has recently moved to the area. However after some years Penry returns much to Megan's utter devastation and finds her married and leaves once again. Megan's love for Penry is still so strong that once she knows he is still alive she begins to struggle with the life she has and upon finding out shes pregnant she wills it to be the child she should have had with Penry, and she gets her wish. Years of accusation from her husband follow. Many years later she receives news of Penry's impending death rushes to his side and is with him as he passes, much to her husband's anger and fury. Her husband does redeem himself as one his own death bed he finally realises the truth and is moved to apology and is forgiven and it is also at this point we learn how deep his feelings are for Megan which gives all the more poignancy to the tale.
The Poacher by Eiluned Lewis is an amusing tale of social and class divide where a Canadian family have adopted a young girl and are trying to locate her family and are hoping her to be from the arostocrisy. The narrator learns the truth on his travels however and discovers that she is in fact the daughter of a local man, a known poacher, far from the arostocratic dreams of her adoptive parents.
Davis by Sian Evans is a short tale of a farmer who has become so disillusioned with life that he no longer tries and has let his house, farm and marriage fall into disrepair and neglect. A stark warning to those of the 'i'll do it tomorrow' crowd
The Pattern by Rhian Roberts is told from the eyes of Gwil Rees a young boy born into social advantage who is expected to live up to certain expectations and standards by his parents of whom he asks Why? An interesting insight into the contradictory world of adulthood and of social divides and social snobbery.
The Return by Brenda Chamberlain is an interesting tale of forbidden love and social isolation as Brenda endeavours to cross a foggy sea rather than bare the gossip of the local village following her grocery run. The dense sea fog that engulfs Brenda as she returns home is threatening however through Brenda's eyes it is less forbodding than the penetrating looks from the village gossips.
The Old Woman and the Wind by Margiad Evans is an oddly enjoyable tale of a woman who lives at the top of a hill and is constantly berated by the wind, so much so that to her it becomes a living entity, one with which she converses and engages. A testement to the damage an empty home and isolation can do to the human mind
The Modest Adornment by Margiad Evans is an intriguing tale into the lives of two elderly women who share a home but do not at first glance appear to enjoy each others company. As one passes on the other seems unmoved and as the funeral takes place that the truth emerges to the reader. We are given snippets of tales of the deceased trekking across country to London to find her true love and return with him. It is only at the end that the reader is told that it was for her she went to London and not for him and that the two women were at one time lovers who have since been driven apart by the pressures and complexities of village life and expectation.
The View Across the Valley by Dilys Rowe is a trageic tale following one young girl's attempt to get an alternative view of her industrialised valley where the steel works, canal, slag heaps, and terraced streets merge into the wild natural Welsh countryside. In doing so however she loses herself in the scrubby wilds and is lost as a fire devours the hillside on which she lies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2019
You don't have to be from Wales to enjoy this book but it helps if you are. Stories by Women from
Wales c.1850-1950. Absolultely brilliant.
Wales c.1850-1950. Absolultely brilliant.
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