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0:00:48 > 0:00:53- My name is Ffion Dafis. I'm an - actress and a television presenter.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- I was just checking it was you.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- Alwyn's just gone upstairs.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03- Let them do their job.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- He's Matthew Glyn, I'm Ffion Dafis.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23- I was forced to read - Cysgod Y Cryman in 1987...
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- ..like many Welsh teenagers...
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- ..who were studying - Welsh O Level at the time.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- This is the book - I stole from Ysgol Tryfan...
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- ..and studied for O Level.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- I'm proud to say the notes - I scribbled in the margin...
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- ..continue throughout the book - to the last page.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47- It's not often that a set book...
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- ..prompts someone - to read it for pleasure.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53- It's nice that my sister, Eleri...
0:01:54 > 0:01:57- ..studied the same book - two years later.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- It still contains - the notes she made too.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- It's nice looking back.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08- Seeing my childish handwriting - brings back memories of my youth.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- "Regards himself as a kind of god. - He doesn't understand tradition."
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- "Expresses - Greta's conflicting thoughts."
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- "Makes use of the senses - like Kate Roberts."
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- Islwyn Ffowc - would be pleased to hear that!
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- "Introduces characters - by their thoughts."
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- "Sets the scene skilfully."
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- I was obviously captivated by it - at a young age.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- Although the novel - was written back in 1953...
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- ..and society - seemed old fashioned...
0:02:47 > 0:02:49- ..to a teenager in the 1980s...
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- ..it was a real page turner.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56- It contains romance, conflict...
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- ..and a new - political ideology, communism...
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- ..that I, as a 15-year-old, - knew nothing about.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- It provided the backdrop for - the novel, and at that young age...
0:03:10 > 0:03:14- ..I realized I was reading - a literary masterpiece...
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- ..in terms of - Islwyn Ffowc's poetic style...
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- ..when describing Powys - and its enchantment.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41- While working as a minister, - Islwyn Ffowc Elis wrote the novel...
0:03:41 > 0:03:43- ..in Llanfair Caereinion - in the 1950s.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46- The region inspired his writing.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- The novel - is essentially a family saga...
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- ..portraying the lives - of wealthy farmers in Powys.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- After a long tradition - of farming in the region...
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- ..the son, a university student, - turns their lives upside down...
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- ..when he decides - to become a communist.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- Conflict ensues within the family - and society itself.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- I'm sure many of us - who've read the novel...
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- ..have conjured up - our own images of Lleifior.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- Somewhere like Pen-Y-Dyffryn - behind me, perhaps?
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- When I moved to the Banw Valley - in Montgomeryshire...
0:04:30 > 0:04:34- ..I noticed - a significant difference...
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- ..in rural society.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- There were - ordinary farmers, of course...
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- ..and then there were - prominent landowners.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49- They weren't English squires, - but cultured Welsh-speaking folk.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- Farmers with 300 acres and more.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- And there were numerous farms - like Lleifior in the vicinity.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- "It was a turbulent summer - in the Aerwen Valley that year.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- "January's frost gnawed at the soil, - February and March brought a purge.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- "April's floods - washed its poison to the sea.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17- "The soil was purified and revived, - making it vibrantly verdant.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- "The lengthy purge - delayed the harvest.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- "The grass was silken and luscious.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- "Sons greased the machines - and whetted the knives...
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- "..in anticipation of harvest crops.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- "Fathers interpreted the sunsets.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- "They slyly eyed up - each other's fields...
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- "..taking cues from Edward Vaughan.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- "Edward Vaughan - knew when the grass had matured...
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- "..and when it was time to harvest.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- "His sixth sense told him - when to hold back and when to begin.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- "Today Edward Vaughan cut the grass.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- "Six of Lleifior's - 300 hectares had been mown...
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- "..leaving a green swath at dusk.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- "The night - brought with it new aromas...
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- "..as he leaned against the gate - beneath the trees.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- "He walked purposefully - to the house...
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- "..his 65-year-old frame - was tall and upright."
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- I'm on my way - to meet Professor John Rowlands...
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- ..who's very familiar - with Islwyn Ffowc Elis's work.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- What were the novel's virtues - in terms of a Welsh context?
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- The fact that is was so popular...
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- ..and appealed to - the younger generation...
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- ..of which I was one, - believe it or not!
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- It's true - that he was a novelist of his time.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- He captured the zeitgeist, - as it were.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- People were so fond of this novel, - they wanted a sequel.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11- But instead he wrote an experimental - offering which was quite different.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- It was a novel - which earned him harsh criticism.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- There are obvious failings...
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- ..but we love them because they're - part and parcel of the novel.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- Does that make sense?
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- I agree with you because - I've read it countless times.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- I read it again - for this programme.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- It got to me again.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Me too. I was in tears.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- The word I'd use is heartbreaking.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- What is it about the book - that makes us feel that way?
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- It's black and white and there are - many stereotypes but it gets to you.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49- Why is that?
0:07:50 > 0:07:55- I don't know, but - the characters are very realistic.
0:07:55 > 0:08:01- Then again, if you analysed them, - they'd turn out to be stereotypes.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- It's a very good novel to discuss - in a literary group or something...
0:08:06 > 0:08:11- ..because the minute you start - discussing it, you find weaknesses.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- But when you read it for pleasure, - you lose yourself in the story.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21- I felt I had to tell a story that'd - grip the reader's imagination...
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- ..from start to finish.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- It was a challenge.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- Once you start analysing it, - you find weaknesses.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- But it grips you, no matter - how many times you read it...
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- ..because of the story.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- I don't think it was written - with an award in mind.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- He couldn't believe....
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- ..it had been nominated for - the Book of the Century prize.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51- "A good read" was the term used - to describe the novel at the time.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- He knew how to write - a good story and enjoyed doing so.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- It won Book of the Century - due to its popularity.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- Coming from - a traditionally liberal family...
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- ..there is one event which changes - Harri Vaughan's political ideology.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- The seed was planted - at the National Eisteddfod.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21- Who was responsible for planting - that seed? Gwylan Thomas, no less.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- "'Will you buy a copy - of Y Cryman, please?'
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- "Harri gazed at the girl. - He was sure he'd seen her before.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- "She was a slender woman, - dressed simply in white cotton.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- "She had dark hair and dark eyes.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41- "He couldn't say she was pretty, - though her eyes were pretty.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- "She urged men to look at her.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- "'I've seen you before,' said Harri.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- "'Who's the publisher?' - 'A student press.'
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- "'Do they belong - to a sect or a party?'
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- "'Communists.' 'I thought as much.'
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- "'Why?' 'The sickle - is one of your symbols, isn't it?'
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- "'You know a great deal about us.'
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- "'You're being sarcastic now.' - 'Not at all.'
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- "'But what about the hammer symbol?
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- "'Your paper should be called - Y Morthwyl a'r Cryman.'
0:10:13 > 0:10:18- "'That title's too long. There's - a double significance to the title.'
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- "'The bourgeois - must first be scythed...
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- "'..before building - a classless society.'
0:10:25 > 0:10:29- "'Then I must be scythed - because I belong to the bourgeois.'
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- "'Join the party - and you won't be bourgeois then.'
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- "'The society - you belong to must be scythed.'
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- "'You expect me - to thresh my mother and father...
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- "'..and all the people I know?'
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- "'Not if they - see the light in time.'
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- "'Where can the light be found?' - 'In Y Cryman.'
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- "'I'll buy it.' - 'Thank you very much.'"
0:11:04 > 0:11:05- .
0:11:06 > 0:11:06- Subtitles
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- Islwyn Ffowc Elis - has inspired a number of authors...
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- ..one of whom is Bethan Gwanas.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- I must've read the book in 1992.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- It was 1995 when I - applied to the Arts Council...
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- ..for a bursary - to write a novel called Amdani.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- In those three years...
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- ..I hadn't planned on - writing a novel.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- It was a dream of mine but - I never thought it'd materialize.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- Something happened - after reading this.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- He wrote for ordinary people.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- His aim was to popularize novels...
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- ..and get young people - to read Welsh literature.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- That's precisely - what I wanted to do. This has dated.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Young people today would have - a bit of difficulty reading it.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- Our written language - has been simplified.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- Something new was called for - in the mid-1990s....
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- ..especially for girls, - which is why I wrote Amdani.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- I resorted to swearing - and a bit more sex than Islwyn!
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- Every generation is different.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- I'm almost certain - this inspired me to follow my dream.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35- I like the description - of Edward Vaughan in the fields.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40- He's a nobleman and a heroic figure - who knows how to read the weather.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45- I like the dialogue between Harri - and Gwylan when they first meet.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- The sexual tension is palpable.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- But the passage - which made me go, 'Yes!'...
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- ..is when Greta shows - she has backbone and is independent.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- Paul tells her that his father - had met her mother some time ago.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- "'And do you know what he said?'
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- "His eyes - promised a hilarious response.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- "'That she was the first - decent Welsh woman he'd ever met.'
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- "'And if her daughter was anything - like her, she'd do.' He laughed.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- "But Greta wasn't laughing.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- "She said quietly, 'I shall - forgive you this once, Paul.'
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- "'But in future, I shall consider - all such quips about my people...
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- "'..to be in very bad taste.'"
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- Good girl!
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- But she still ends up marrying him.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- Harri's politics have a detrimental - effect on the people around him.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- Gwylan has persuaded him - to break off his engagement.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- Although he has - talked about communism with Greta...
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- ..his father knows nothing until he - finds a book by Lenin in his room.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12- "'Your bedroom window was rattling,' - said Edward Vaughan.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- "'I went in to close it - to stop it disturbing your mother.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- "'I found this by your bed.' - 'Have you read it?' said Harri.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- "'I've read some of it.'
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- "'It's a book about communism, - given that it's written by Lenin.'
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- "'I'm not ashamed to be reading it.' - 'Why not?'
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- "'Lenin was - the greatest man of this century.'
0:14:34 > 0:14:39- "Harri bit his tongue, but it - was too late. His secret was out.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- "Edward placed the book on the table - and stood opposite Harri...
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- "..his hands behind his back.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- "'Do you know how much I'm worth?'
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- "'I can't see - what that has to do with...'
0:14:51 > 0:14:56- "'You should know, just so that you - see the mess you're about to make.'
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- "'Between Lleifior, Tyddyn Argain...
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- "'..my two farms, my shares - in war stock and defence bonds...
0:15:03 > 0:15:08- "'..and the money I've loaned, - I'm worth around 40,000.'
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- "'Yes, you've a right - to be surprised.'
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- "'You stand to inherit - the majority of my estate...
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- "'..once I'm dead and buried.'
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- "'Within 10 years, - or perhaps even a year...
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- "'..you could be worth 25,000.'
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- "'Then you'll be a capitalist.'
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- "'A major capitalist, - by Welsh standards.'
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- "'Which is the strongest - - Lenin or 25,000?'
0:15:39 > 0:15:44- "'I need to know because - I'm meeting my solicitor tomorrow.'
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- "'Waking up a rich man might change - your mind, but I can't be sure.'
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- "'If the Communist Party - will benefit...
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- "'..Greta or Bethel chapel - will inherit my money...
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- "'..along with - my nieces and nephews.'
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- "'Tell me, - what will you do with it?'
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- "'This is a dilemma,' - Harri thought to himself.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09- "'I couldn't keep it,' he said, - in a monotonous voice.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- "'Very well.'
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- "Without uttering another word, - his father walked out of the room."
0:16:19 > 0:16:24- The friction between father and son - forces Edward Vaughan...
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- ..to cut Harri out of the will.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- He sells the estate which has been - in his family for generations.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- Although it pains Edward, - it is the only option.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49- Generations of Welsh people - have read Cysgod Y Cryman...
0:16:49 > 0:16:54- ..since it's been a set book on - the Welsh syllabus for many years.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- What does a reading group - in Aberystwyth make of the book?
0:17:09 > 0:17:13- We usually discuss - contemporary Welsh novels.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- Sometimes we read - English-language offerings...
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- ..as well as Welsh classics by - Kate Roberts or Islwyn Ffowc Elis.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- Well, I'm here - to bring you a classic!
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- Is it a novel - that appeals to you all?
0:17:29 > 0:17:34- For many readers in Wales, Cysgod - Y Cryman typifies Welsh literature.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- It's long been - on the school syllabus.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- It's one sure way of killing a book.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45- A friend told me he'd read the book - but doesn't remember the story.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- It brings back memories - but not of the story itself.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- It's been widely read, - but what stays in the mind, Jane?
0:17:54 > 0:17:59- The fact it deals with important - ideas of the 20th century...
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- ..such as communism - and how it affects Wales.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08- It depicts the Wales of old - which bordered on being feudal.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13- New ideas are introduced and it - expresses 20th-century sentiments.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- A period of upheaval.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- It's a thought-provoking novel.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24- With so many - Welsh-language books available...
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- ..it's surprising how much - of an impact this novel had.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- Many important issues - are explored in the book...
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- ..but romance - is portrayed very effectively.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- There are several love stories - running through the book...
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- ..and there is conflict - between two generations.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- Those elements captivate the reader.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51- Although different ideas - are explored in the book...
0:18:51 > 0:18:53- ..they don't saturate the novel.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59- There are strong characters. Harri - Vaughan is incredibly charismatic.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05- The friction between his father - and him is the central theme.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- The obvious thing - we haven't discussed...
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- ..is the novel's style...
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- ..and the use of poetic Welsh...
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- ..which I loved from the outset.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24- It wasn't too flowery - Do you disagree, Dafydd?
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- Too flowery, in your eyes! - But I don't think so.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- I agree that the style is fantastic - and the writing's great.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- "It was turbulent summer - in the Aerwen Valley" and so on.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- He could've cut out a lot of that.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47- Oh, no! I don't want - a single bit of it cut out!
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- He's been - greatly influenced by someone.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- For me, I'd say his style...
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- ..is too florid.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- I don't think - it's too poetic at all.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- It's just good use of Welsh.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- It's very rhythmic.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- The writing flows well - and it's a pleasure to read.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- That's true.
0:20:11 > 0:20:17- So we'd all agree that - it's a classic that has survived?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- It's definitely survived...
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- ..but a few aspects - have become a little outdated.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- I think we're all agreed...
0:20:26 > 0:20:31- ..that it's a classic - that has touched us.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- It's been lovely having - the opportunity to read it again.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- It's been a long time - since I read it.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- I was surprised - how much I enjoyed reading it.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- I hear you give marks - out of 10 for the novels...
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- ..so how would you rate it, Ifor?
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- Seven and a half.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51- Seven and a half.- - Eight and a half.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- Eight and a half.
0:20:53 > 0:20:54- Eight and a half.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- Eight and a half.- - I'll give it eight.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- I think it's important - that a novel tells a story...
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- ..and characters - should be memorable.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- But an author - should create an instant experience.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- That's what any artist should do.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- You paint a picture - and get an experience from it.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- You should get an experience - from listening to a symphony.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- If you read a novel - for 18-20 hours...
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- ..you're transported - to that world...
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- ..and live through those experiences - you wouldn't have had otherwise.
0:21:40 > 0:21:46- The novel concludes with Greta - adhering to her father's wishes...
0:21:46 > 0:21:50- ..and marrying - the English doctor, Paul Rushmere...
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- ..and Harri getting engaged - to an ordinary local girl.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- The night before selling the estate, - Edward Vaughan accepts...
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- ..that the social strata - is changing...
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- ..and Harri gets to run Lleifior - as a co-operative venture...
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- ..thus keeping it in the family.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16- "Harri slowly turned - to face the sunset.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- "A ray of light - streamed though the window...
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- "..and shimmered - above the mantelpiece...
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- "..as if it were - shining a spotlight on something.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- "Harri turned to see what it was.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- "Illuminated - by the rays of sunshine...
0:22:33 > 0:22:38- "..and standing proudly on the wall, - hung the Vaughans' coat of arms.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08- .