"By far the best pesonal memoir of Dylan Thomas in the fifty years after his death." Paul Ferris
"One of the most celebrated literary friendships in the field of Welsh letters was that which existed between Dylan Thomas and Vernon Watkins. No one but Gwen Watkins could possibly have written such an intelligent and compelling memoir of that unique relationship.
Although the treatment of Thomas is sympathetic, the author is far from blind to his faults and therefore it is inevitable that the portrait is unflattering at times. A notable example of this occurred when Thomas agreed to act as best man at the Watkins’s marriage ceremony but, without any explanation at all, did not turn up. The relationship had its turbulent and frustrating aspects but Watkins never ceased to admire and comment Thomas’s brilliance. Personally, I find Watkins’s work far more appealing than Thomas’s but that is another matter."
Dewi Roberts, Gwales
Gwen Watkins' penetrating and honest account of the friendship between her husband, the poet Vernon Watkins and Dylan Thomas. An evocative book recalling the 'Kardomah days' of Swansea café society; new introduction by Paul Ferris.
"One of the most celebrated literary friendships in the field of Welsh letters was that which existed between Dylan Thomas and Vernon Watkins. No one but Gwen Watkins could possibly have written such an intelligent and compelling memoir of that unique relationship.
Although the treatment of Thomas is sympathetic, the author is far from blind to his faults and therefore it is inevitable that the portrait is unflattering at times. A notable example of this occurred when Thomas agreed to act as best man at the Watkins’s marriage ceremony but, without any explanation at all, did not turn up. The relationship had its turbulent and frustrating aspects but Watkins never ceased to admire and comment Thomas’s brilliance. Personally, I find Watkins’s work far more appealing than Thomas’s but that is another matter."
Dewi Roberts, Gwales
Gwen Watkins' penetrating and honest account of the friendship between her husband, the poet Vernon Watkins and Dylan Thomas. An evocative book recalling the 'Kardomah days' of Swansea café society; new introduction by Paul Ferris.
