0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:46 > 0:00:48- I'm Lowri Morgan.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- I'm from Gowerton near Swansea - and I'm an S4C presenter.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- I also like a challenge.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- Welcome to Ralio.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- I'm in my element. - It's what makes me feel alive.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- Now it's time to run, - the legs are heavy.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18- Langland and Caswell are my - favourite places in all the world.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- They're an integral part - of my life.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25- I've so many fond memories - of family and friends here.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- I've run along these paths - countless times. I'm happy here.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- The book which has created - the biggest impression on me...
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- ..is Si Hei Lwli by Angharad Tomos.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39- It's taken me - on a very emotional journey.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44- Through sadness, loss, hate, - as well as love.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- It's no wonder - it won the Prose Medal...
0:01:47 > 0:01:49- ..at the 1991 National Eisteddfod.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- I have to confess, - it's only recently that I read it...
0:01:54 > 0:01:57- ..on a friend's recommendation.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- We often discuss novels at work...
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- ..and she knew I'd like the author's - simple yet effective writing...
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- ..and I'd understand and sympathize - with the themes in Si Hei Lwli.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- I'm so happy I listened to her!
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- This is - the sensitive and symbolic story...
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- ..of two passengers - on a car journey.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- It also alludes to our - chronological journey through life.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- It's about a young woman, Eleni...
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- ..who takes Bigw, her 90-year-old - great-aunt, for a day out...
0:02:37 > 0:02:42- ..to lay flowers on the grave - of her sister, Eleni's grandmother.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- They fall out during the journey - and they stop at a cafe.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- They buy flowers, they quarrel - and they laugh together and so on.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- But during the story, - we learn more about Bigw...
0:02:55 > 0:02:58- ..and hear about her youth.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- It's an epic - and significant journey.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10- "It was a nondescript cafe. - It was clean enough and nice.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- "But it had no character.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- "Plastic chairs and a basic menu.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- "It was only a cuppa we were after.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- "'Tea, Bigw?' - 'Yes, but not too strong.'
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- "'The girl will bring it over.'
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- "Bigw searches around her cup...
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- "..until I ask her what's wrong.
0:03:30 > 0:03:36- "'I thought I'd asked for a scone.' - 'No, we only ordered a cup of tea.'
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- "'Would you like a scone?'
0:03:39 > 0:03:44- "Yes, she'd love a scone. When I - asked for one, they didn't have any.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49- "'Years ago, you'd never - have a cafe without scones.'
0:03:49 > 0:03:54- "'If they were running out, you'd - go to the bakery to fetch more.'
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- "Crikey, - this woman talks some drivel.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02- "The bill arrives. - 'I'll pay, Bigw.'
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- "'No indeed. I have it here.'
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- "But she doesn't, of course. It's - somewhere but she has no idea where.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- "There's nothing I can do but wait.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16- "Paying in cafes...
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- "..is her way of paying me back, - which is very important.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- "So I help her to the car, put on - her safety belt and keep quiet."
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- Angharad Tomos has succeeded...
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- ..in drawing me into - Bigw and Eleni's journey.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- I felt as if I was sitting in the - back seat, listening to them talk...
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- ..and wanting - to share their stories.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- The themes - of old age and mortality...
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- ..are dealt with - simply yet effectively.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- Sometimes I had difficulty - putting the book down.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- Sometimes I had difficulty - turning the page...
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- ..because I was crying - in sympathy with the characters.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- I regret - not having quizzed my own family...
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- ..before it was too late.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- I used to love going to Llandeilo...
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- ..to spend time - with Mam-gu and Tad-cu.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- And then to Ystradgynlais.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- I never had the chance - to sit down with them...
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- ..and ask them about their youth...
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- ..and what they did - before they were old.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- I'm filled with a sense of longing.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- I miss - the relationship I had with them.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- Angharad Tomos...
0:05:54 > 0:05:58- ..adeptly discusses - a common theme...
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- ..in a completely new way - that's fresh.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- We're told that Bigw - moves in with Eleni's family...
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- ..once she is too frail - to look after herself.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- A similar thing - happened in my family.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- Mam and her sisters - looked after Mam-gu in Llandeilo...
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- ..for more than 10 years.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- I know this is - a common situation for many people.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31- That's what makes this novel - so relevant to our lives.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41- Angharad Tomos wrote the novel - for the Prose Medal competition...
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- ..at the Mold National Eisteddfod.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47- The Welsh-language activist - is on her feet.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- How did it feel, standing up in - the Pavilion to receive the medal?
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- It was nerve-racking having to - stand up in front of everyone.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- I wore a Deddf Iaith Newydd T-shirt.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- I was arrested on the Monday - and this was on the Wednesday...
0:07:09 > 0:07:13- ..so people thought I'd gone too far - and upset proceedings...
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- ..until they realized - no-one else was standing up!
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- I often feel - when I'm in that sort of company...
0:07:22 > 0:07:27- ..that they'll arrest you on Monday - and applaud you on the Wednesday.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Where does your inspiration come - from to write such diverse novels?
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- People inspire me...
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- ..as well as experiences.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- I'm someone who has - a genuine interest in people.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- I couldn't have written the novel...
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- ..without having known - and lived with that person.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- They're essentially - my mother's stories about her aunt.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59- She lived her life, Mam recounted - the stories and I recorded them.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- So it's three generations - working in tandem in the novel.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- So the journey actually took place?
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- Yes, I asked her - where she'd like to go...
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- ..because I thought - she'd like an ice cream in a cafe.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- She decided - she wanted to go to the cemetery...
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- ..to see her sister's grave - for the last time.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- I use the car as a medium.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27- I thought - that when you're a little girl...
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- ..your mind ages, - in the same way your body ages.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- But this lady taught me - that your mind can stay the same...
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- ..and it's just the body - that deteriorates.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- Sometimes I had to put the - book down because I was in tears...
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- ..whereas other times - I wanted to continue reading.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- It's a book that takes you - on a roller coaster of emotions.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- Once I started writing it, - I couldn't stop.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- On the first page, I thank - Mrs O'Sullivan of Ballygurteen.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- I had to go to Ireland to write it.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- I took photographs - and letters of my aunt with me.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- But once I'd started writing, - I couldn't stop.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19- It's like I opened the floodgates - and it all came gushing out.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- It was a very intense writing period - over six weeks...
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- ..at this house in Ireland.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- I had to shut myself off.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- But it was difficult - getting to sleep at night...
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- ..because I was living the novel.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- Why did you choose Si Hei Lwli - as its title?
0:09:39 > 0:09:44- I wanted Si Hei Lwli as the title - because it has no meaning.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- I thought it suited this novel...
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- ..because - you can't explain life and death.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- Si Hei Lwli is a lullaby sung when a - person goes to sleep or passes away.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- "Si hei lwli, the ship sails away" - are the words of the song.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- One of the most poignant passages...
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- ..is the chapter - in which Bigw and brother Hari...
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- ..sit down and discuss the effects - of the First World War...
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- ..and their emotional responses...
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- ..to their horrific - and tragic experiences.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- "At last they both sat down.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- "Hari did something - he had never done before.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- "He held her hand.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- "He was never one - to show his emotions like that.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- "She could hear his voice now.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- "'Hold my hand, Lisi. - Hold it tight.'
0:10:50 > 0:10:56- "It would be a long time before she - would have contact like this again.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- "'That's the worst part, Lisi.'
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- "'Feelings - aren't important in that place.'
0:11:02 > 0:11:06- "'They aren't men, - they're barbarians.'
0:11:08 > 0:11:14- "'I've seen things, Lisi, - things I never imagined I'd see.'
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- "He couldn't express himself.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- "'And the worst thing about it...
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- "'..is that - I've grown accustomed to them.'
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- "He broke down and sobbed pitifully - like a little boy.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35- "Lisi put his head on her lap - and started stroking his hair.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- "Suddenly, - he tore himself away from her...
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- "..got on his feet - and walked away from her.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- "From that moment on, - Lisi knew that she'd lost him."
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- "Something horrific - had happened to him.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- "They had shattered his soul."
0:12:01 > 0:12:01- .
0:12:07 > 0:12:07- Subtitles
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- The theme of old age in the novel...
0:12:14 > 0:12:19- ..appealed greatly to Meg Elis, one - of the Prose Medal's adjudicators.
0:12:19 > 0:12:26- What's interesting is that - the theme hasn't dated at all.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- The theme of old age - has become even more relevant.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- I think it's very interesting...
0:12:33 > 0:12:39- ..that Angharad dealt with this back - in 1991 and possessed the foresight.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- She raises issues...
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- ..that should be, and are, - being discussed today.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- On our shortlist, - Si Hei Lwli by Lwli...
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- ..raised the bar - to a formidable level.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- It's easy to become - sentimental about old age...
0:12:58 > 0:13:02- ..by picturing a grandmother in the - corner with her knitting and so on.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- But this isn't true of this novel.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11- Angharad highlights the frustrations - which arise in young people...
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- ..when they have to deal - with older people.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21- Ordinary things like fumbling for - money to find the right change...
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- ..taking their time - and forgetting things...
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- ..as older people tend to do.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- But I also think she's suggesting...
0:13:30 > 0:13:35- ..through the flashbacks - of Bigw in her youth...
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- ..that it's also frustrating - for the older ones too.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44- They don't - like being doddery and forgetful.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- That's what I think - is remarkable about the book.
0:13:54 > 0:14:00- The old woman who's witnessed - almost a century of love and loss...
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- ..gradually begins to deteriorate...
0:14:03 > 0:14:08- ..not only physically but mentally.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- She's angry that life...
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- ..is sucking the life, - strength and beauty out of her.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20- She's angry that the family has put - her in an intolerable nursing home.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- As her hope diminishes, - so too does her spirit.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32- "The dog was her only true friend.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- "A large black Labrador - called Jumbo.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- "Jumbo came to her - at every opportunity...
0:14:39 > 0:14:41- "..and waited to be patted.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43- "Jumbo was - the only sensible one among them.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- "One day, - Jumbo didn't come to her...
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- "..and she waited - all morning for him.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- "When there was no sign of him by - the afternoon, she became anxious.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- "There was nothing for it - but to ask the matron.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- "Slowly and steadily...
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- "..with the aid of a handrail...
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- "..she walks down the corridor.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- "With a large sigh, - Matron tells Julie to help Lisi.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- "'I want to know - what's happened to Jumbo.'
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- "The matron - gazed at Julie and said...
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- "..'We'll have to tell her.'
0:15:25 > 0:15:30- "'Now, Miss Hughes, - don't upset yourself...
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- "'..but he was run over - by a car on Tuesday...
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- "'..and Jumbo - was seriously injured.'
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- "'He had to be taken to the vet - and put down.'
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- "It was Friday - before Lisi heard about it."
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- "Why hadn't someone told her?
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- "That night, - Lisi sobbed her heart out.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- "But not so much over Jumbo.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- "She had come to terms with that.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05- "But because she didn't count enough - for someone to tell her...
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- "..that her best friend in the home - had been killed."
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- Members of the Carmarthen book club - have just read Si Hei Lwli.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- I'm looking forward - to hearing their opinions...
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- ..and to find out more about them.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- Tell me a little about - the Carmarthen book club, Llinos.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- There are 10 of us - and we meet every six weeks.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- We discuss - English and Welsh books alternately.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50- It's good if we disagree over books - - it makes for a lively discussion.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- Let's discuss the book.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57- Some people call Si Hei Lwli - a masterpiece and a classic.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- What do you think of it?
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- I thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- I read it in one night - from start to finish.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- It flows nicely - from one chapter to the next.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- I think - it's best to read it in one go...
0:17:11 > 0:17:13- ..to get a sense of the flow.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- It switches - from past to present quite a bit.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23- The way she incorporates tales and - descriptions is very effective...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- ..within - the narrative of the journey.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- When someone asked me - what it was about...
0:17:29 > 0:17:34- ..I told them it was about someone - nearing the end of her life.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39- She weaves in stories - effortlessly...
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- ..during the soliloquy.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- I thought of my own grandmother.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- I used to give her lifts - and take her places in the car.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- I felt sad reading it - because it brought back memories.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57- When Mam-gu died, we found a box - of her diaries from years ago...
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- ..detailing her life - before I was born.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- Like that little message she wrote, - "Don't get too drunk".
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- Yes, that's right.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- I love that scene - because it says it all.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17- The scene when her brother - returns from the War...
0:18:18 > 0:18:19- ..is very powerful.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- It's been well written.
0:18:22 > 0:18:28- That's one of the best passages - describing the atrocities of war...
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- ..I've ever read in Welsh.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- Has the book - made you think about old age?
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- I read it over 10 years ago - but I enjoyed it more this time...
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- ..because I'm older...
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- ..and I've lost my own grandparents.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47- It captures the fragility of life.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- It captures the fragility of life.- - It made me feel very positive.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- It's strange - because it's a sad story.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58- But the fact that Eleni says, - "Go on, keep going," in the end...
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- ..makes you think that old age...
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- ..doesn't have to be - about sadness and withering away.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- What didn't you enjoy - about the novel?
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- It was a little too confusing - for my liking.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- The passage of fantasy - at the beginning...
0:19:16 > 0:19:18- ..isn't fair on the reader.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- I didn't think - it started with fantasy.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- I didn't realize it was fantasy.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- It describes Bigw in her youth...
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- .."with a young body, - nubile and full of spirit."
0:19:31 > 0:19:35- She wasn't talking - about the old Bigw then, was she?
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- It's meant to be symbolic.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- For me, - it's not fair on the reader...
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- ..to start with something - so symbolic and fantastical.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- It's Eleni's imagination, which - works well in other passages...
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- ..but not right at the start.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- The synopsis describes - two girls on the same journey...
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- ..but at different speeds.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02- Although one is old and Eleni's - young, they're still two girls.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- Something unites them.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- I liked it because it doesn't - give you the story on a plate...
0:20:09 > 0:20:10- ..at the very beginning.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- Thank you, Lowri, - for reintroducing the novel to us.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- And introducing it - for the first time too. Thanks!
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- By the end of the novel...
0:20:28 > 0:20:33- ..it becomes clear that Eleni is - recounting Bigw's last car journey.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- They both arrive at the cemetery.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- Bigw has - overcome obstacles to get there...
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- ..and lay flowers - at her sister's grave.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- Despite the sadness - of the situation...
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- ..it's also an epic - and significant conclusion.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54- "At last I saw the grave.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- "It was in the second row - beside a small hedge.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- "I was finally there.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- "'Eleni?' 'Yes?'
0:21:04 > 0:21:09- "'I can't see what's on the stone. - Could you read it for me?'
0:21:11 > 0:21:17- "'Here lies William Rowland Edwards, - 1888-1969...
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- "'..and his beloved wife, - Hannah Eluned.'
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- "'1890-1977.'
0:21:25 > 0:21:30- "'Gwilym, 1921-1922.'
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- "'Lest we never forget.'
0:21:33 > 0:21:38- "In a while, Bigw looks at me, - raises her eyebrows...
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- "..and intimates - that it's time for us to go.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47- "I'm a little unsteady on my feet - and I hold on to Bigw.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- "All of a sudden, I feel her might.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- "So powerful and brave.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- "Her strides - are strong and purposeful.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02- "I notice that Bigw is now standing - tall and I am nothing by her side.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- "She saw it all - and kept her head above water.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- "'Go, Bigw. Go.'
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- "'Don't wait for me. - Don't look back.'
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- "'Go forward and keep going.'
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- "'You'll reach your journey's end.'"
0:22:44 > 0:22:46- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:22:47 > 0:22:47- .