New Welsh Review 135: Summer 2024

Female-led European literature with an emphasis on place, nature and authenticity in nonfiction, narrative voice in fiction, ideas for our times in the literary essay, and illustrative panache overall. Originating in Wales and with international ambition. Here we bring together the best of NWR's online essays and review-essays within a showcase of new work previewing forthcoming titles from some of this country's key English-language publishers. Plus, there's new work from Neil Collins, Philippa Holloway, JL George and Marsha O'Mahony, and a feature on artist William McClure Brown (1953-2008).

Cover image: 'Mirage', 2002 (81x82cm), William McClure Brown, courtesy of estate of William McClure Brown; image on front pages: 'Mari Lwyd', William McClure Brown, courtesy of artist's estate.

EDITORIAL
Half-in, half-out Gwen Davies

NONFICTION
Bears at the Fridge: Goldcliff to Whitson Preview extract from This Stolen Land by Marsha O'Mahony
The Kinnock Factor: The Manics and Anti-Welshness Edited abridged preview from International Velvet by Neil Collins

FICTION
Another Place Story by Philippa Holloway
Trout Story by Satterday Shaw

ESSAYS
Dark Formula Timothy Laurence Marsh on why reckless travel writing matters
Books for Alien Girls JL George's personal and practical reflections on the role neurodivergence can and should play when writing fiction

REVIEW-ESSAYS
Back to the Land Pippa Marland on two nature memoir classics, one of hubristic bluster, the other humbly receptive
'Queer Old Codgers' Claire Pickard on the portrayal of highly nuanced gay identities and history in recent nonfiction titles and a major short story anthology