Cyfres Amdani: Dewch i Mewn

by Esyllt Maelor

Saith stori fer i ddysgwyr gan yr awdur a'r tiwtor, Esyllt Maelor. Maen nhw'n addas ar gyfer dysgwyr Mynediad ac mae geirfa ar waelod pob tudalen ac ar ddiwedd y gyfrol. Rhan o brosiect cyffrous 'Amdani' i ddysgwyr.
Seven short stories by the author and tutor, Esyllt Maelor. They are suitable for those starting to learn Welsh at entry level (Mynediad). Welsh-English vocabulary appear at the bottom of each page and at the back of the book. Part of the 'Amdani' series for learners.

Genres: Fiction

60 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2022

Reviews

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did, because the idea is a good one and it's well executed. However, this is a book for late Mynediad learners, I'm two years past that, and every few seconds I was still tapping on the footnotes that defined the new vocabulary. You get *some* new vocab by reading, you shouldn't be having to check multiple new words per paragraph. It destroys the reading process, and it means I still don't know any of those words, because before I could really get them in my head I had to look up another. And then another. And another. I can't imagine how demoralizing it must be for actual Mynediad learners.

All set in one place, so all Gog.

[Vcmc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Llyfr clyfar iawn gan feddwl bod e'n anelu at ddysgwyr mynediad. Pynciau diddorol, problemau cyfoes.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dewch i Mewn is still a very new book, so I picked up a copy when I ordered some of the other Mynediad titles I was missing. Flipping over to the back, it's recommended for the very end (Uned 27) a stepping stone for those who've completed Mynediad but don't want to move onto Sylfaen reading materials just yet (the first Sylfaen book, Cyfres Amdani: Stryd, Y, is recommend at Uned 5).

Esyllt Maelor runs a reading group in Morfa Nefyn, and introduces you to her friends who attend in the opening chapter. The overall aim of the book is to create something that early Welsh learners can discuss in their own book groups; specifically, Esyllt was inspired by Agor y Drws: 6 Stori i Ddysgwyr. I agree - as much as I like the Mynediad installments for Amdani, there aren't many of them you'd be able to pick apart in a group setting. At the back of the book, you'll find your talking points and conversation starters for each story.

While the stories can stand on their own, there are a couple of links that connect them: the first is the Choir, the second I found was conflict avoidance and difficult situations. That isn't to say all the stories are unpleasant, but some of the more serious themes found in the book are grief (hinted at), microaggressions, and emotional and financial violence. Less seriously, there's 'doing favours' that turn into taking full advantage of a friend's kindness, a conversation about what green living should truly look like, and the lack of your choirmate's personal hygiene.

I don't have favourites amongst the chapters, but could easily have a full conversation about "Sian a Gareth". At first, when the scene is set, it's easy to believe perhaps Sian is unwell and Gareth's trying to play it off lightly to not upset the children, but it's then made very clear that Gareth has gaslit, controlled and humiliated Sian over a number of years and she's now been thoroughly cowed into submission. Thankfully she does have a friend on side who sees Gareth for what he is (and Sian doesn't have any real dialogue until her friend arrives), but as with most of the stories it ends with an open ending, all the better for discussion. There is a printing mistake in this chapter; 'Menna' becomes 'Llinos' halfway through her scene which made me double-take, but I believe she was meant to be Llinos all along.

While it's not my favourite book, and I likely won't keep it around for entertainment, it still gets a 4 as I feel it (and a book group!) would have been very valuable to me in a Mynediad class, and I hope book groups get the use out of it that Esyllt Maelor intended.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying these Welsh short story books as they give me more opportunities to read in Welsh (at a level that I’m currently matched with), challenge me enough and teach some new vocab.

I found this one to be heavier in the gogledd side of Cymraeg whereas I have been more ‘de’ but I’m ultimately hoping to be able to switch between both so it was nice to be exposed to different dialects.

The vocab at the end of each page is forever helpful and I learnt a whole host of new things. Mwynhais i fe!

[Charlotte Biddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggled with this Welsh learner book, perhaps should have waited until I was further along with the language. These books are never particularly interesting as they can only use a limited amount of words. Short story collection with lots of stories about joining a choir which I didn't find particularly interesting. Did like the story about the electric car at the end.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! Most enjoyable for learners I’ve ever read. Real people, real issues, and challenging vocab. Amazing 🙂

[Mthr. Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mwynheais i’r llyfr. Mae hi’n anodd, ond mae hi’n bosib darllen gyda geiriadau yn y llyfr.

I’m a Welsh learner just completed mynediad and found it a fairly easy read, using the words in the book, and looking up a few. Great to have stories to provoke thinking. Definitely one of the hardest mynediad books though - one to leave to the end of mynediad or early sylfaen

I do wish they would label more of these books with the chapters of the level you need to have accomplished before reading. Some have this, but not all.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave up on this book for now. It should be listed as Sylfaen not beginners. I have completed sylfaen level but was looking for an easy read to build my listening confidence using the audio book.
Each level lasts two years so covers a lot but I think the books should be pitched at the lower end or reclassified.
Hopefully the story will improve when reread but I wasn't inspired.