Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Welsh Apocalypse


Lately I've been researching Wales's secret science-fiction history, trying to discover why the genre has, largely, been ignored by Welsh literary critics. During my survey I've turned up a surprising amount of material, not just in literature but in pop culture too. There have even been a few notable examples of Welsh-language science-fiction, including this apocalyptic work by ex-nuclear scientist Owain Owain, entitled Y Dydd Olaf (1976) (The Last Day). I absolutely love the cover (see pic) which was designed by the author himself.

Talking of the end of the world - wouldn't it be amusing if it was ushered in by that bloke from Aberdare. Anyone else been checking Revelations for oblique anti-Christ references pertaining to the south Wales valleys?