Format: Paperback
Published: June 22nd, 2017
Age: Adult
Genre: Non-Fiction – Memoir
Goodreads
Rating: 5/5 Stars
I picked this up ages ago for research purposes, and because the blurb made it sound like a great way to find out what life was like in mining valleys towards the start of the 20th century. The mines are such a key part of Welsh history, and this biography gives us a really clear view of social history in Wales in the inter-war years. Jones talks about his childhood and how life in a mining valley shaped the man he would become. What makes his memoir particularly interesting are the changes that happened during this time, and through Jones’ eyes we see the impact these had on families, from the migration into the area as non-Welsh speaking families moved to find work, to the new cinemas that cropped up, the workmen’s houses taking over the social space from chapels, and the changes to religion at the time. We see it from his childhood memories, as well as the impact this had on his grandfather and father.
It’s clear Vivian Jones is a thoughtful, considerate man, and the way the book is written it really feels like you’re cwtched up by a fireplace with Jones sitting opposite, drinking something warm as he tells the stories of his childhood. You can almost hear that rumbling, West Wales accent in his words (though of course I don’t know how Jones actually sounds). It also reminded me of stories from my grandmother (about the same age as Jones) and my father (a fair bit younger!). Jones ties in the different cultural elements to his own life and how he felt the effects of this, and notes the way things changed as he got older in a way that gives you a strong sense of just how fast things changed at this point.
If you are interested in social history and want something interesting and accessible, that really paints a picture of life in the 1930s, I definitely recommend this one. It’s very easy to imagine the world Jones talks about, and picture the chapel, the cinema, as well as his own family as he walks you through his childhood. A truly lovely read.
Unwrapping Words 