Richard Llewellyn (1906–1983)

I don't usually rate books that I haven't finished, but with Goodreads' new policy regarding reviews I've decided to change my own reviewing & rating policy. This is so that my average rating is a better reflection of my reading, because I don't bother finishing books that I dislike enough to rate lower than a 3 star. There are millions upon millions of books to experience, and life is too precious to waste it slogging through books I'm not enjoying.

I finished about half the book before abandoning. The characters were interesting, but the plot moved far too slowly. I struggled with the self-righteous, misogynistic, Victorian morality and attitudes. I understand it was the norm for the time period, but I really wanted to kick all the male characters in the teeth.… (more)

This novel is a coming-of-age story set in the Welsh coal mining region that blends sentimental nostalgia with gritty reality. The narrator is Huw Morgan, the 8th of 9 children and the youngest son in a family of coal miners. An accident in Huw's childhood makes him unable to walk for several years and during that time he develops a passion for reading that leads to him going on to higher levels of education than the rest of his family.

Through the novel Huw observes the conflicts between the miners and the companies that own the mines that leads to union organizing and strikes. Huw's father Gwilym and some of his brothers are opposed to activism while other brother are labor organizers. Over time the declining fortunes in the valley lead to Huw's siblings leaving Wales to try their luck elsewhere. Huw also observes the environmental degradation to the valley by the mining operations. The novel also deals with gossip and scandals in the valley such as affairs and unplanned pregnancy. While Gwilym supports Huw's education, his mother Beth is firmly against it, especially when Huw's teacher only speaks in English and discriminates against the Welsh.

There are apparently a whole series of books about Huw Morgan, but I think I've had my fill of Huw. The style of writing is too old-fashioned for my taste although I can see why it's considered a classic novel. I once watched the film adaptation of How Green Was My Valley as a teenager (mainly because I had a crush on Maureen O'Hara) but I don't remember it at all. I will have to rewatch the movie and see how faithful it is to the book.… (more)