Laughter from the Dark: Life of Gwyn Thomas

by Michael Parnell (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1988

  $3.45

  This is a biography which chronicles the life of Gwyn Thomas, the much-admired Welsh radio and television personality who died in 1981. During his 30 years with the media, he participated in a wide range of programmes including The Brains Trust , film documentaries on Venice, New York, Moscow, commentaries on Eisteddfodau, literary lectures, St David's Day broadcasts and contributions to the BBC Tonight show. Since his death, his novels, short stories and plays have begun to be rediscovered. Both as a schoolmaster and as a prolific writer he made his mark by entertainment. It was his talent for performing that drew him into a world of friendships with celebrities including Richard Burton, Jack Hylton, Stanley Baker, Sam Wanamaker, Harry Secombe and Donald Houston. In his mature years his public life left him little time for writing but evident in all his work is his love for Rhondda, the valley where he was born and its people. Besides being an entertainer and raconteur, he was committed politically to a humane socialism. The author reveals how Gwyn Thomas chose to laugh in the face of absurdity when he was shocked by his own failures and imperfections. Parnell adds that his gaiety was so infectious that few could guess at the bewilderment and despair which underlay much of his life. The author's biography of Eric Linklater won the Yorkshire Post Prize for Best First Work of the Year.