Letters from Wales

'This is writing in time and over time; the author's horizons widen as he goes, his impressions change... What is revealed is the generous deep-rootedness of the author's cultures.' - Michael Schmidt; 'His writing respects writers, respects the past and, because of this quality, it continuously offers readers something surprising and new.' - Jonathan Edwards, Costa Prize-winning poet; 'with Letters from Wales Sam Adams has created what has become one of my favourite books dealing with the histories and cultures of our homeland. Nominally concerned with a country's literatures, packed with praise and puzzlement, Adams's 'Letters' is a vastly wide-ranging collection of personal engagements. Those who know Sam Adams's own poetry will be delighted by the self-revelations that create a delicious seam throughout this work. For example, the editor singles out a depiction of a miner's lamp. Brilliant, poignant. Originally a series of columns in PN Review, Letters from Wales can now be enjoyed in one indispensable volume.' - Robert Minhinnick; 'This collection of Sam Adams's pieces, written over the years for PN Review, is a literary journey in the company of writers and writings of Wales, and beyond. Sam Adams was there at the start, when a few believers sparked a renaissance of Welsh writings in English, when Poetry Wales, The Anglo-Welsh Review, the Triskel Press were launched, slim volumes were published, and for the first time the TLS reviewed poetry from Wales. I will return to it again and again, to learn, and to remember our story.' - Gillian Clarke