By the Banks of the Rheidol - Softcover

Geraint Roberts

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1784615595 ISBN 13: 9781784615598

Publisher: Y Lolfa, 2023

Synopsis

A historical novel set mainly in Ceredigion, Wales, with twin themes of local industry and romance. Dafydd, a young lead miner, is forced to flee after a violent confrontation with a group of bullies. He runs to the port of Aberystwyth where an acquaintance, Gwen, helps him and he slowly begins to rebuild his life. After a fire destroys his employer's business, he is sent to nearby Talybont to help in the building of a new railway. An opportunity arises for an apprenticeship in Stafford and Dafydd begs Gwen to come with him, but she refuses, promising to wait for him. Eventually Dafydd gets the chance to return to Aberystwyth and work on the building of the new Rheidol railway. Very soon he is faced by three dilemmas: How to progress as a railwayman, how to reconnect with his family and how to find Gwen. When he finds her, she has met another, more well-to-do, man. He is left with the seemingly impossible task of trying to win her back.

About this title

Review

Gently paced and rich in local detail, By the Banks of the Rheidol draws on the author's extensive knowledge and experience of the Aberystwyth area and the railways and mining industries that form the novel's backdrop and settings. It is a quiet pleasure to read, full of appealing characters and providing an enjoyable fund of information on local history. --Suzy Ceulan Hughes, Gwales

This is an enjoyable tale of rural Welsh life at the dawn of the 20th century, knowledgeable railway types will not suffer the usual irritation of poorly documented working practices. Well-written and entertaining. --AC, Narrow Gauge World

Edition details

• Publisher: Y Lolfa
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1784615595
• ISBN 13: 9781784615598
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272