Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 05 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 05 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

Amazon's Misleading Cover Image, 21 Apr 2008
I would urge buyers who wish a specific version of this book to beware the cover image Amazon display, as this is not the cover image they are supplying. Amazon, despite displaying the black-topped signature edition, substitute the book supplied for a newer version of the cover. For someone collecting a particular version this is a frustrating piece of mis-selling.

Cheating, 31 Oct 2007
This is a very enjoyable read, but has no-one else felt cheated by the revelation of the murderer's identity? Also I have always been less than convinced by the mechanics through which the crime was 'committed', (although the excellent adaptation of this story in the Poirot television series did make it appear more plausible.)

A really good murder mystery, 17 Apr 2007
Agatha Christie has done it again. This is the seventh Poirot book I've read and it's the best one so far. The whole story is really good from beginning to end I couldn't help but to keep on reading it till I completely finished it. The plot is really good and I was totally shocked at the identity of the murderer of Simeon Lee.

If no one has got round to reading Hercule Poirot's Christmas then please consider it as the next book to read. Who knows, but maybe you could be hooked on this book as well.

A cracking Christmas mystery, 05 Feb 2005
Hercule Poirot is spending Christmas in the country with his friend Colonel Johnson, Chief Constable of Middleshire, and suffering terribly from the lack of central heaintg ("Nothing like a wood fire", says Colonel Johnson, but Poirot disagrees). Disagreeable wealthy old tyrant Simeon Lee is bloodily murdered in mysterious circumstances, and Poirot is called in to investigate.

The house is full of Simeon Lee's put-upon sons and their put-upon wives, any one of whom might have had reason to do Simeon in, especially as he had just announced that he was about to change his will to include his beautiful young granddaughter Pilar, just arrived from Spain, whom none of the family had ever set eyes on before. The family are anxious to insist that the murder was an outside job, but Poirot is equally convinced that it was not.

This is one of the best Poirot mysteries, with lots of interesting characters, especially the delightfuly vivacious, high-spirited and unconventional Pilar, and a cunning murderer to unmask. A real Christmas treat.

Agatha Christie's locked room murder mystery., 21 May 2003
Although generally regarded as typifying the cozy murder mystery writer in whose books there is either a murder in a locked room or a murder at a family reunion in a country house, Agatha Christie rarely tried her hand at either of these murder mystery genres. In “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas”, however, she combines both.
The family is the dysfunctional Lee family, summoned to pass Christmas together in the house of old Simeon Lee, the patriarch. During this stressful reunion, a commotion followed by a blood-curdling scream is heard from the room on the first floor occupied by old Simeon. When the locked door is forced open, the furniture is found upended, the safe rifled, and Simeon is found lying dead with his throat cut. The door key is in place, on the inside of the door.

Having depicted how the family members despise, hate, or resent each other up to this point, Agatha Christie next allows the investigations and theories to develop. Poirot is on hand, but she cleverly allows other police inspectors and investigators to do most of the work and make most of the mistakes.

The solution is one you will never forget, but also one that you will probably never arrive at before Poirot reveals all. Agatha Christie is wonderfully clever at laying out all the clues in an arrangement that directs the reader away from the vital ones.

Apart from a few lines of description, almost everything in the text is dialogue. To anyone in the world who has not yet read this 1940 mystery nothing more need be said. To those who are re-reading it, I suggest they notice how cleverly it is plotted and planned.

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 05 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

Amazon's Misleading Cover Image, 21 Apr 2008
I would urge buyers who wish a specific version of this book to beware the cover image Amazon display, as this is not the cover image they are supplying. Amazon, despite displaying the black-topped signature edition, substitute the book supplied for a newer version of the cover. For someone collecting a particular version this is a frustrating piece of mis-selling.

Cheating, 31 Oct 2007
This is a very enjoyable read, but has no-one else felt cheated by the revelation of the murderer's identity? Also I have always been less than convinced by the mechanics through which the crime was 'committed', (although the excellent adaptation of this story in the Poirot television series did make it appear more plausible.)

A really good murder mystery, 17 Apr 2007
Agatha Christie has done it again. This is the seventh Poirot book I've read and it's the best one so far. The whole story is really good from beginning to end I couldn't help but to keep on reading it till I completely finished it. The plot is really good and I was totally shocked at the identity of the murderer of Simeon Lee.

If no one has got round to reading Hercule Poirot's Christmas then please consider it as the next book to read. Who knows, but maybe you could be hooked on this book as well.

A cracking Christmas mystery, 05 Feb 2005
Hercule Poirot is spending Christmas in the country with his friend Colonel Johnson, Chief Constable of Middleshire, and suffering terribly from the lack of central heaintg ("Nothing like a wood fire", says Colonel Johnson, but Poirot disagrees). Disagreeable wealthy old tyrant Simeon Lee is bloodily murdered in mysterious circumstances, and Poirot is called in to investigate.

The house is full of Simeon Lee's put-upon sons and their put-upon wives, any one of whom might have had reason to do Simeon in, especially as he had just announced that he was about to change his will to include his beautiful young granddaughter Pilar, just arrived from Spain, whom none of the family had ever set eyes on before. The family are anxious to insist that the murder was an outside job, but Poirot is equally convinced that it was not.

This is one of the best Poirot mysteries, with lots of interesting characters, especially the delightfuly vivacious, high-spirited and unconventional Pilar, and a cunning murderer to unmask. A real Christmas treat.

Agatha Christie's locked room murder mystery., 21 May 2003
Although generally regarded as typifying the cozy murder mystery writer in whose books there is either a murder in a locked room or a murder at a family reunion in a country house, Agatha Christie rarely tried her hand at either of these murder mystery genres. In “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas”, however, she combines both.
The family is the dysfunctional Lee family, summoned to pass Christmas together in the house of old Simeon Lee, the patriarch. During this stressful reunion, a commotion followed by a blood-curdling scream is heard from the room on the first floor occupied by old Simeon. When the locked door is forced open, the furniture is found upended, the safe rifled, and Simeon is found lying dead with his throat cut. The door key is in place, on the inside of the door.

Having depicted how the family members despise, hate, or resent each other up to this point, Agatha Christie next allows the investigations and theories to develop. Poirot is on hand, but she cleverly allows other police inspectors and investigators to do most of the work and make most of the mistakes.

The solution is one you will never forget, but also one that you will probably never arrive at before Poirot reveals all. Agatha Christie is wonderfully clever at laying out all the clues in an arrangement that directs the reader away from the vital ones.

Apart from a few lines of description, almost everything in the text is dialogue. To anyone in the world who has not yet read this 1940 mystery nothing more need be said. To those who are re-reading it, I suggest they notice how cleverly it is plotted and planned.

Delightful read, 27 Jun 2006
Bryan Gallagher, an occasional contributor to the late John Peel's "Home Truths", on Radio 4, reminisces about growing up in rural County Fermanagh in the forties. A time of poverty, deprivation, ignorance and yet love, joy, humour and music. This was a sparse yet close-knit community, where schoolchildren more often than not went to school barefoot, where there was no radio, TV, phone, electricity. Cars were a rarity. One is struck by how recent it was and how much life has changed - but we've also lost something. You don't have to be Irish or old or to live in the country, to appreciate this - these short stories would appeal to anyone.

Lovely..., 29 Mar 2006
In this book Bryan Gallagher reminisces about his life growing up near the shores of Lough Erne in Fermanagh. Every chapter is quite short and contains a different story. It's a beautiful book and very easy to read. The innocence of the country people living in the 40s and 50s is told and shows how witty they were even when they were trying to be serious. I highly recommend this book. Anyone who enjoys this will also enjoy Frank Delaneys' 'Ireland' book.

Wonderful timeless stories, 31 Jan 2006
Bryan Gallagher has brought together what amounts to a local history and beautiful storytelling. The stories have a timelessness and depth that fit every community. This isn't just about Ireland wherever you live you will connect with this gem.
Buy, dip into and enrich your life.

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 05 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

Amazon's Misleading Cover Image, 21 Apr 2008
I would urge buyers who wish a specific version of this book to beware the cover image Amazon display, as this is not the cover image they are supplying. Amazon, despite displaying the black-topped signature edition, substitute the book supplied for a newer version of the cover. For someone collecting a particular version this is a frustrating piece of mis-selling.

Cheating, 31 Oct 2007
This is a very enjoyable read, but has no-one else felt cheated by the revelation of the murderer's identity? Also I have always been less than convinced by the mechanics through which the crime was 'committed', (although the excellent adaptation of this story in the Poirot television series did make it appear more plausible.)

A really good murder mystery, 17 Apr 2007
Agatha Christie has done it again. This is the seventh Poirot book I've read and it's the best one so far. The whole story is really good from beginning to end I couldn't help but to keep on reading it till I completely finished it. The plot is really good and I was totally shocked at the identity of the murderer of Simeon Lee.

If no one has got round to reading Hercule Poirot's Christmas then please consider it as the next book to read. Who knows, but maybe you could be hooked on this book as well.

A cracking Christmas mystery, 05 Feb 2005
Hercule Poirot is spending Christmas in the country with his friend Colonel Johnson, Chief Constable of Middleshire, and suffering terribly from the lack of central heaintg ("Nothing like a wood fire", says Colonel Johnson, but Poirot disagrees). Disagreeable wealthy old tyrant Simeon Lee is bloodily murdered in mysterious circumstances, and Poirot is called in to investigate.

The house is full of Simeon Lee's put-upon sons and their put-upon wives, any one of whom might have had reason to do Simeon in, especially as he had just announced that he was about to change his will to include his beautiful young granddaughter Pilar, just arrived from Spain, whom none of the family had ever set eyes on before. The family are anxious to insist that the murder was an outside job, but Poirot is equally convinced that it was not.

This is one of the best Poirot mysteries, with lots of interesting characters, especially the delightfuly vivacious, high-spirited and unconventional Pilar, and a cunning murderer to unmask. A real Christmas treat.

Agatha Christie's locked room murder mystery., 21 May 2003
Although generally regarded as typifying the cozy murder mystery writer in whose books there is either a murder in a locked room or a murder at a family reunion in a country house, Agatha Christie rarely tried her hand at either of these murder mystery genres. In “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas”, however, she combines both.
The family is the dysfunctional Lee family, summoned to pass Christmas together in the house of old Simeon Lee, the patriarch. During this stressful reunion, a commotion followed by a blood-curdling scream is heard from the room on the first floor occupied by old Simeon. When the locked door is forced open, the furniture is found upended, the safe rifled, and Simeon is found lying dead with his throat cut. The door key is in place, on the inside of the door.

Having depicted how the family members despise, hate, or resent each other up to this point, Agatha Christie next allows the investigations and theories to develop. Poirot is on hand, but she cleverly allows other police inspectors and investigators to do most of the work and make most of the mistakes.

The solution is one you will never forget, but also one that you will probably never arrive at before Poirot reveals all. Agatha Christie is wonderfully clever at laying out all the clues in an arrangement that directs the reader away from the vital ones.

Apart from a few lines of description, almost everything in the text is dialogue. To anyone in the world who has not yet read this 1940 mystery nothing more need be said. To those who are re-reading it, I suggest they notice how cleverly it is plotted and planned.

Delightful read, 27 Jun 2006
Bryan Gallagher, an occasional contributor to the late John Peel's "Home Truths", on Radio 4, reminisces about growing up in rural County Fermanagh in the forties. A time of poverty, deprivation, ignorance and yet love, joy, humour and music. This was a sparse yet close-knit community, where schoolchildren more often than not went to school barefoot, where there was no radio, TV, phone, electricity. Cars were a rarity. One is struck by how recent it was and how much life has changed - but we've also lost something. You don't have to be Irish or old or to live in the country, to appreciate this - these short stories would appeal to anyone.

Lovely..., 29 Mar 2006
In this book Bryan Gallagher reminisces about his life growing up near the shores of Lough Erne in Fermanagh. Every chapter is quite short and contains a different story. It's a beautiful book and very easy to read. The innocence of the country people living in the 40s and 50s is told and shows how witty they were even when they were trying to be serious. I highly recommend this book. Anyone who enjoys this will also enjoy Frank Delaneys' 'Ireland' book.

Wonderful timeless stories, 31 Jan 2006
Bryan Gallagher has brought together what amounts to a local history and beautiful storytelling. The stories have a timelessness and depth that fit every community. This isn't just about Ireland wherever you live you will connect with this gem.
Buy, dip into and enrich your life.

Contains a Rare Episode!, 26 Aug 2007
Two 1955 episodes and one from 1958, as well as one from 1958 that was not heard here until 1986 (an overseas episode) - and only then, broadcast the once! Find out who is attacking Henry Crun with a piano, and Moriarty's plan to shrink people to only 3 inches tall! Suspend belief, and prepare to have 2 hours of fun. Great stuff - recommended.

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 05 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

Amazon's Misleading Cover Image, 21 Apr 2008
I would urge buyers who wish a specific version of this book to beware the cover image Amazon display, as this is not the cover image they are supplying. Amazon, despite displaying the black-topped signature edition, substitute the book supplied for a newer version of the cover. For someone collecting a particular version this is a frustrating piece of mis-selling.

Cheating, 31 Oct 2007
This is a very enjoyable read, but has no-one else felt cheated by the revelation of the murderer's identity? Also I have always been less than convinced by the mechanics through which the crime was 'committed', (although the excellent adaptation of this story in the Poirot television series did make it appear more plausible.)

A really good murder mystery, 17 Apr 2007
Agatha Christie has done it again. This is the seventh Poirot book I've read and it's the best one so far. The whole story is really good from beginning to end I couldn't help but to keep on reading it till I completely finished it. The plot is really good and I was totally shocked at the identity of the murderer of Simeon Lee.

If no one has got round to reading Hercule Poirot's Christmas then please consider it as the next book to read. Who knows, but maybe you could be hooked on this book as well.

A cracking Christmas mystery, 05 Feb 2005
Hercule Poirot is spending Christmas in the country with his friend Colonel Johnson, Chief Constable of Middleshire, and suffering terribly from the lack of central heaintg ("Nothing like a wood fire", says Colonel Johnson, but Poirot disagrees). Disagreeable wealthy old tyrant Simeon Lee is bloodily murdered in mysterious circumstances, and Poirot is called in to investigate.

The house is full of Simeon Lee's put-upon sons and their put-upon wives, any one of whom might have had reason to do Simeon in, especially as he had just announced that he was about to change his will to include his beautiful young granddaughter Pilar, just arrived from Spain, whom none of the family had ever set eyes on before. The family are anxious to insist that the murder was an outside job, but Poirot is equally convinced that it was not.

This is one of the best Poirot mysteries, with lots of interesting characters, especially the delightfuly vivacious, high-spirited and unconventional Pilar, and a cunning murderer to unmask. A real Christmas treat.

Agatha Christie's locked room murder mystery., 21 May 2003
Although generally regarded as typifying the cozy murder mystery writer in whose books there is either a murder in a locked room or a murder at a family reunion in a country house, Agatha Christie rarely tried her hand at either of these murder mystery genres. In “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas”, however, she combines both.
The family is the dysfunctional Lee family, summoned to pass Christmas together in the house of old Simeon Lee, the patriarch. During this stressful reunion, a commotion followed by a blood-curdling scream is heard from the room on the first floor occupied by old Simeon. When the locked door is forced open, the furniture is found upended, the safe rifled, and Simeon is found lying dead with his throat cut. The door key is in place, on the inside of the door.

Having depicted how the family members despise, hate, or resent each other up to this point, Agatha Christie next allows the investigations and theories to develop. Poirot is on hand, but she cleverly allows other police inspectors and investigators to do most of the work and make most of the mistakes.

The solution is one you will never forget, but also one that you will probably never arrive at before Poirot reveals all. Agatha Christie is wonderfully clever at laying out all the clues in an arrangement that directs the reader away from the vital ones.

Apart from a few lines of description, almost everything in the text is dialogue. To anyone in the world who has not yet read this 1940 mystery nothing more need be said. To those who are re-reading it, I suggest they notice how cleverly it is plotted and planned.

Delightful read, 27 Jun 2006
Bryan Gallagher, an occasional contributor to the late John Peel's "Home Truths", on Radio 4, reminisces about growing up in rural County Fermanagh in the forties. A time of poverty, deprivation, ignorance and yet love, joy, humour and music. This was a sparse yet close-knit community, where schoolchildren more often than not went to school barefoot, where there was no radio, TV, phone, electricity. Cars were a rarity. One is struck by how recent it was and how much life has changed - but we've also lost something. You don't have to be Irish or old or to live in the country, to appreciate this - these short stories would appeal to anyone.

Lovely..., 29 Mar 2006
In this book Bryan Gallagher reminisces about his life growing up near the shores of Lough Erne in Fermanagh. Every chapter is quite short and contains a different story. It's a beautiful book and very easy to read. The innocence of the country people living in the 40s and 50s is told and shows how witty they were even when they were trying to be serious. I highly recommend this book. Anyone who enjoys this will also enjoy Frank Delaneys' 'Ireland' book.

Wonderful timeless stories, 31 Jan 2006
Bryan Gallagher has brought together what amounts to a local history and beautiful storytelling. The stories have a timelessness and depth that fit every community. This isn't just about Ireland wherever you live you will connect with this gem.
Buy, dip into and enrich your life.

Contains a Rare Episode!, 26 Aug 2007
Two 1955 episodes and one from 1958, as well as one from 1958 that was not heard here until 1986 (an overseas episode) - and only then, broadcast the once! Find out who is attacking Henry Crun with a piano, and Moriarty's plan to shrink people to only 3 inches tall! Suspend belief, and prepare to have 2 hours of fun. Great stuff - recommended.

A thoroughly enjoyable book to read, 08 Jan 2001
This is the first Just William book I have read and I thorougly enjoyed it. This book contains ten stories all about an eleven year old called William and the trouble he gets up to at Christmas. William is the leader of a gang called the "Outlaws", who all go to the same school and live in the same village. The other gang members are called Ginger, Douglas and Henry. There are some very funny parts, such as, when William made a plant pot out of his sister's best hat or when he climbed a tree pretending to be an arab looking over a desert, sitting in a palm tree. But below him a Professor thought that he had found the place where a martian was going to land. William fell out of the tree and the Professor mistook him for a martian. You can imagine being William getting into some of the trouble that he does because it is quite true to life and the authors style of writing paints a picture in your mind of William and his gang getting up to mischief. Once you start reading this book it is hard to put it down until you have read it all.

A thoroughly enjoyable book to read, 07 Jan 2001
This is the first Just William book I have read and I thorougly enjoyed it. This book contains ten stories all about an eleven year old called William and the trouble he gets up to at Christmas. William is the leader of a gang called the "Outlaws", who all go to the same school and live in the same village. The other gang members are called Ginger, Douglas and Henry. There are some very funny parts, such as, when William made a plant pot out of his sister's best hat or when he climbed a tree pretending to be an arab looking over a desert, sitting in a palm tree. But below him a Professor thought that he had found the place where a martian was going to land. William fell out of the tree and the Professor mistook him for a martian. You can imagine being William getting into some of the trouble that he does because it is quite true to life and the authors style of writing paints a picture in your mind of William and his gang getting up to mischief. Once you start reading this book it is hard to put it down until you have read it all.

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 05 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

Amazon's Misleading Cover Image, 21 Apr 2008
I would urge buyers who wish a specific version of this book to beware the cover image Amazon display, as this is not the cover image they are supplying. Amazon, despite displaying the black-topped signature edition, substitute the book supplied for a newer version of the cover. For someone collecting a particular version this is a frustrating piece of mis-selling.

Cheating, 31 Oct 2007
This is a very enjoyable read, but has no-one else felt cheated by the revelation of the murderer's identity? Also I have always been less than convinced by the mechanics through which the crime was 'committed', (although the excellent adaptation of this story in the Poirot television series did make it appear more plausible.)

A really good murder mystery, 17 Apr 2007
Agatha Christie has done it again. This is the seventh Poirot book I've read and it's the best one so far. The whole story is really good from beginning to end I couldn't help but to keep on reading it till I completely finished it. The plot is really good and I was totally shocked at the identity of the murderer of Simeon Lee.

If no one has got round to reading Hercule Poirot's Christmas then please consider it as the next book to read. Who knows, but maybe you could be hooked on this book as well.

A cracking Christmas mystery, 05 Feb 2005
Hercule Poirot is spending Christmas in the country with his friend Colonel Johnson, Chief Constable of Middleshire, and suffering terribly from the lack of central heaintg ("Nothing like a wood fire", says Colonel Johnson, but Poirot disagrees). Disagreeable wealthy old tyrant Simeon Lee is bloodily murdered in mysterious circumstances, and Poirot is called in to investigate.

The house is full of Simeon Lee's put-upon sons and their put-upon wives, any one of whom might have had reason to do Simeon in, especially as he had just announced that he was about to change his will to include his beautiful young granddaughter Pilar, just arrived from Spain, whom none of the family had ever set eyes on before. The family are anxious to insist that the murder was an outside job, but Poirot is equally convinced that it was not.

This is one of the best Poirot mysteries, with lots of interesting characters, especially the delightfuly vivacious, high-spirited and unconventional Pilar, and a cunning murderer to unmask. A real Christmas treat.

Agatha Christie's locked room murder mystery., 21 May 2003
Although generally regarded as typifying the cozy murder mystery writer in whose books there is either a murder in a locked room or a murder at a family reunion in a country house, Agatha Christie rarely tried her hand at either of these murder mystery genres. In “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas”, however, she combines both.
The family is the dysfunctional Lee family, summoned to pass Christmas together in the house of old Simeon Lee, the patriarch. During this stressful reunion, a commotion followed by a blood-curdling scream is heard from the room on the first floor occupied by old Simeon. When the locked door is forced open, the furniture is found upended, the safe rifled, and Simeon is found lying dead with his throat cut. The door key is in place, on the inside of the door.

Having depicted how the family members despise, hate, or resent each other up to this point, Agatha Christie next allows the investigations and theories to develop. Poirot is on hand, but she cleverly allows other police inspectors and investigators to do most of the work and make most of the mistakes.

The solution is one you will never forget, but also one that you will probably never arrive at before Poirot reveals all. Agatha Christie is wonderfully clever at laying out all the clues in an arrangement that directs the reader away from the vital ones.

Apart from a few lines of description, almost everything in the text is dialogue. To anyone in the world who has not yet read this 1940 mystery nothing more need be said. To those who are re-reading it, I suggest they notice how cleverly it is plotted and planned.

Delightful read, 27 Jun 2006
Bryan Gallagher, an occasional contributor to the late John Peel's "Home Truths", on Radio 4, reminisces about growing up in rural County Fermanagh in the forties. A time of poverty, deprivation, ignorance and yet love, joy, humour and music. This was a sparse yet close-knit community, where schoolchildren more often than not went to school barefoot, where there was no radio, TV, phone, electricity. Cars were a rarity. One is struck by how recent it was and how much life has changed - but we've also lost something. You don't have to be Irish or old or to live in the country, to appreciate this - these short stories would appeal to anyone.

Lovely..., 29 Mar 2006
In this book Bryan Gallagher reminisces about his life growing up near the shores of Lough Erne in Fermanagh. Every chapter is quite short and contains a different story. It's a beautiful book and very easy to read. The innocence of the country people living in the 40s and 50s is told and shows how witty they were even when they were trying to be serious. I highly recommend this book. Anyone who enjoys this will also enjoy Frank Delaneys' 'Ireland' book.

Wonderful timeless stories, 31 Jan 2006
Bryan Gallagher has brought together what amounts to a local history and beautiful storytelling. The stories have a timelessness and depth that fit every community. This isn't just about Ireland wherever you live you will connect with this gem.
Buy, dip into and enrich your life.

Contains a Rare Episode!, 26 Aug 2007
Two 1955 episodes and one from 1958, as well as one from 1958 that was not heard here until 1986 (an overseas episode) - and only then, broadcast the once! Find out who is attacking Henry Crun with a piano, and Moriarty's plan to shrink people to only 3 inches tall! Suspend belief, and prepare to have 2 hours of fun. Great stuff - recommended.

A thoroughly enjoyable book to read, 08 Jan 2001
This is the first Just William book I have read and I thorougly enjoyed it. This book contains ten stories all about an eleven year old called William and the trouble he gets up to at Christmas. William is the leader of a gang called the "Outlaws", who all go to the same school and live in the same village. The other gang members are called Ginger, Douglas and Henry. There are some very funny parts, such as, when William made a plant pot out of his sister's best hat or when he climbed a tree pretending to be an arab looking over a desert, sitting in a palm tree. But below him a Professor thought that he had found the place where a martian was going to land. William fell out of the tree and the Professor mistook him for a martian. You can imagine being William getting into some of the trouble that he does because it is quite true to life and the authors style of writing paints a picture in your mind of William and his gang getting up to mischief. Once you start reading this book it is hard to put it down until you have read it all.

A thoroughly enjoyable book to read, 07 Jan 2001
This is the first Just William book I have read and I thorougly enjoyed it. This book contains ten stories all about an eleven year old called William and the trouble he gets up to at Christmas. William is the leader of a gang called the "Outlaws", who all go to the same school and live in the same village. The other gang members are called Ginger, Douglas and Henry. There are some very funny parts, such as, when William made a plant pot out of his sister's best hat or when he climbed a tree pretending to be an arab looking over a desert, sitting in a palm tree. But below him a Professor thought that he had found the place where a martian was going to land. William fell out of the tree and the Professor mistook him for a martian. You can imagine being William getting into some of the trouble that he does because it is quite true to life and the authors style of writing paints a picture in your mind of William and his gang getting up to mischief. Once you start reading this book it is hard to put it down until you have read it all.

Excellent, 23 Apr 2001
For William fans, these audio books, from Martin Jarvis' excellent Radio 4 adaptations, bring to life the William books and I would highly recommend them for their light hearted style. Although they are abridged, I would recommend them for young and old and anyone who loves the Richmal Crompton books.

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 05 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

Amazon's Misleading Cover Image, 21 Apr 2008
I would urge buyers who wish a specific version of this book to beware the cover image Amazon display, as this is not the cover image they are supplying. Amazon, despite displaying the black-topped signature edition, substitute the book supplied for a newer version of the cover. For someone collecting a particular version this is a frustrating piece of mis-selling.

Cheating, 31 Oct 2007
This is a very enjoyable read, but has no-one else felt cheated by the revelation of the murderer's identity? Also I have always been less than convinced by the mechanics through which the crime was 'committed', (although the excellent adaptation of this story in the Poirot television series did make it appear more plausible.)

A really good murder mystery, 17 Apr 2007
Agatha Christie has done it again. This is the seventh Poirot book I've read and it's the best one so far. The whole story is really good from beginning to end I couldn't help but to keep on reading it till I completely finished it. The plot is really good and I was totally shocked at the identity of the murderer of Simeon Lee.

If no one has got round to reading Hercule Poirot's Christmas then please consider it as the next book to read. Who knows, but maybe you could be hooked on this book as well.

A cracking Christmas mystery, 05 Feb 2005
Hercule Poirot is spending Christmas in the country with his friend Colonel Johnson, Chief Constable of Middleshire, and suffering terribly from the lack of central heaintg ("Nothing like a wood fire", says Colonel Johnson, but Poirot disagrees). Disagreeable wealthy old tyrant Simeon Lee is bloodily murdered in mysterious circumstances, and Poirot is called in to investigate.

The house is full of Simeon Lee's put-upon sons and their put-upon wives, any one of whom might have had reason to do Simeon in, especially as he had just announced that he was about to change his will to include his beautiful young granddaughter Pilar, just arrived from Spain, whom none of the family had ever set eyes on before. The family are anxious to insist that the murder was an outside job, but Poirot is equally convinced that it was not.

This is one of the best Poirot mysteries, with lots of interesting characters, especially the delightfuly vivacious, high-spirited and unconventional Pilar, and a cunning murderer to unmask. A real Christmas treat.

Agatha Christie's locked room murder mystery., 21 May 2003
Although generally regarded as typifying the cozy murder mystery writer in whose books there is either a murder in a locked room or a murder at a family reunion in a country house, Agatha Christie rarely tried her hand at either of these murder mystery genres. In “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas”, however, she combines both.
The family is the dysfunctional Lee family, summoned to pass Christmas together in the house of old Simeon Lee, the patriarch. During this stressful reunion, a commotion followed by a blood-curdling scream is heard from the room on the first floor occupied by old Simeon. When the locked door is forced open, the furniture is found upended, the safe rifled, and Simeon is found lying dead with his throat cut. The door key is in place, on the inside of the door.

Having depicted how the family members despise, hate, or resent each other up to this point, Agatha Christie next allows the investigations and theories to develop. Poirot is on hand, but she cleverly allows other police inspectors and investigators to do most of the work and make most of the mistakes.

The solution is one you will never forget, but also one that you will probably never arrive at before Poirot reveals all. Agatha Christie is wonderfully clever at laying out all the clues in an arrangement that directs the reader away from the vital ones.

Apart from a few lines of description, almost everything in the text is dialogue. To anyone in the world who has not yet read this 1940 mystery nothing more need be said. To those who are re-reading it, I suggest they notice how cleverly it is plotted and planned.

Delightful read, 27 Jun 2006
Bryan Gallagher, an occasional contributor to the late John Peel's "Home Truths", on Radio 4, reminisces about growing up in rural County Fermanagh in the forties. A time of poverty, deprivation, ignorance and yet love, joy, humour and music. This was a sparse yet close-knit community, where schoolchildren more often than not went to school barefoot, where there was no radio, TV, phone, electricity. Cars were a rarity. One is struck by how recent it was and how much life has changed - but we've also lost something. You don't have to be Irish or old or to live in the country, to appreciate this - these short stories would appeal to anyone.

Lovely..., 29 Mar 2006
In this book Bryan Gallagher reminisces about his life growing up near the shores of Lough Erne in Fermanagh. Every chapter is quite short and contains a different story. It's a beautiful book and very easy to read. The innocence of the country people living in the 40s and 50s is told and shows how witty they were even when they were trying to be serious. I highly recommend this book. Anyone who enjoys this will also enjoy Frank Delaneys' 'Ireland' book.

Wonderful timeless stories, 31 Jan 2006
Bryan Gallagher has brought together what amounts to a local history and beautiful storytelling. The stories have a timelessness and depth that fit every community. This isn't just about Ireland wherever you live you will connect with this gem.
Buy, dip into and enrich your life.

Contains a Rare Episode!, 26 Aug 2007
Two 1955 episodes and one from 1958, as well as one from 1958 that was not heard here until 1986 (an overseas episode) - and only then, broadcast the once! Find out who is attacking Henry Crun with a piano, and Moriarty's plan to shrink people to only 3 inches tall! Suspend belief, and prepare to have 2 hours of fun. Great stuff - recommended.

A thoroughly enjoyable book to read, 08 Jan 2001
This is the first Just William book I have read and I thorougly enjoyed it. This book contains ten stories all about an eleven year old called William and the trouble he gets up to at Christmas. William is the leader of a gang called the "Outlaws", who all go to the same school and live in the same village. The other gang members are called Ginger, Douglas and Henry. There are some very funny parts, such as, when William made a plant pot out of his sister's best hat or when he climbed a tree pretending to be an arab looking over a desert, sitting in a palm tree. But below him a Professor thought that he had found the place where a martian was going to land. William fell out of the tree and the Professor mistook him for a martian. You can imagine being William getting into some of the trouble that he does because it is quite true to life and the authors style of writing paints a picture in your mind of William and his gang getting up to mischief. Once you start reading this book it is hard to put it down until you have read it all.

A thoroughly enjoyable book to read, 07 Jan 2001
This is the first Just William book I have read and I thorougly enjoyed it. This book contains ten stories all about an eleven year old called William and the trouble he gets up to at Christmas. William is the leader of a gang called the "Outlaws", who all go to the same school and live in the same village. The other gang members are called Ginger, Douglas and Henry. There are some very funny parts, such as, when William made a plant pot out of his sister's best hat or when he climbed a tree pretending to be an arab looking over a desert, sitting in a palm tree. But below him a Professor thought that he had found the place where a martian was going to land. William fell out of the tree and the Professor mistook him for a martian. You can imagine being William getting into some of the trouble that he does because it is quite true to life and the authors style of writing paints a picture in your mind of William and his gang getting up to mischief. Once you start reading this book it is hard to put it down until you have read it all.

Excellent, 23 Apr 2001
For William fans, these audio books, from Martin Jarvis' excellent Radio 4 adaptations, bring to life the William books and I would highly recommend them for their light hearted style. Although they are abridged, I would recommend them for young and old and anyone who loves the Richmal Crompton books.

Better than life, indeedy, 21 Nov 2005
Based on Better Than Life, this is the follow on 12 part series written for BBC Radio. Chris Barrie does a much better job than Grant Naylor has in previous readings, you can tell the latter is an author rather than an actor. Even if you choose the unabridged versions of Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers and Better Than Life, I strongly recommend the Chris Barrie versions after listening to this.

Audio book FINALLY up to scratch, 14 Nov 2004
Okay, okay. So it's not the entire thing. Admitted. But it's still great.
And let's face it, anything narrated by Chris Barrie would be great. But this is the VERY FIRST red dwarf book, argueably the best Red Dwarf book (if not simply the best BOOK full stop) and although the sound effects aren't cinema quality, they're funny and 'Rimmer' makes i