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Hay Festival Book of the Month – May 2022
What does it mean to imagine Wales and “The Welsh” as something both distinct and inclusive?
For many people, Wales brings to mind the same old collection of images – if it’s not rugby, sheep and rolling hills, it’s the 3 Cs: castles, coal, and choirs. Heritage, mining and the church are indeed integral parts of Welsh culture. But what of the other stories that point us toward a Welsh future?
In Welsh (Plural), some of the foremost current Welsh writers offer imaginative, radical perspectives that take us beyond the clichés and binaries that so often shape thinking about Wales and Welshness. Conceived when three of the collection's editors - Darren Chetty, Grug Muse and Hanan Issa - met on the Hay Festival Writers at Work programme in 2019, the collection is timely look at the diverse and modern country around us.
Read it? Loved it? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #HBOTM.
Further reading
Four reflections on Welsh identity in the 21st century, The Guardian
About the editors
Darren Chetty is a writer from Swansea. He is the author of What Is Masculinity? Why does it Matter? And Other Big Questions and How To Disagree: Negotiate Difference In A Divided World.
Hanan Issa is a writer, poet, and artist who lives and was raised in Cardiff. Her debut pamphlet My Body Can House Two Hearts was published by Burning Eye Books in 2019.
Grug Muse is a writer, editor and researcher from Dyffryn Nantlle. Her first poetry collection, Ar Ddisberod, was published by Barddas in 2017.
Iestyn Tyne is a writer and musician based in Caernarfon. He has published three volumes of poetry and is the National Eisteddfod’s poet in residence.
ABOUT HAY FESTIVAL'S BOOK OF THE MONTH
Hay Festival's Book of the Month is our monthly recommendation of a book we love and think holds particular resonance. This is our chance to celebrate great works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry year-round.
Throughout the month, we'll share interesting links and articles relating to our selection on social media using #HBOTM and invite you all to get involved with your questions and comments.
If you'd like to recommend a book for consideration, please share on social media using #HBOTM.
Happy reading!
