This translation of one of Wales' great writers was a very pleasant surprise to me. Written in a very matter of fact way, this story of Lora Ffennig, young mother and wife to Iolo, begins with her preparing the house and herself for the return of her beloved husband, only to see his boss come to tell her he has received a letter from his clerk Iolo, explaining that he has run away with the boss's housekeeper. This comes as a complete shock to Lora - not to the rest of town, of course.
I had expected a tale of misery and troubles, and in a way it is, but the strength and sympathy of the main characters make sure the book never becomes weepy or overly emotional.
As always with Kate Roberts, her characters come to life very quickly and seem to be real people. Combined with her excellent storytelling, this makes for a great read. IIt's not often that a classic goes down so easily ( )