Shifts

Seren Classics

by Christopher Meredith

Book by Meredith, Christopher

Genres: Fiction

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Christopher Meredith (1955-) is a Welsh poet and novelist, writing mainly in English.

Reviews

[Nicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy reading Shifts. It didn't seem to go anywhere in particular for ages and ages, and I didn't enjoy the characters or anything. As a piece of Welsh writing, it's pretty similar to a lot of the other stuff I've looked at -- the story of people working in heavy industry, while the industry begins to die out.

It's a little awkwardly written at times, too -- doubtless a conscious decision, but dialogue is a little too naturalistic, if that's the term.

Basically, it just wasn't for me. Unfortunately, I think I need it for my essay!

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realise it's considered a classic and I can see why. However, I found it hard going. If you're looking for a light read, don't even consider it. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a worm's-eye view of the decline of heavy industry in South Wales, complete with the workers' (often sordid) personal lives, this is the book for you. (Do steelworkers really spend all their free time either drinking or thinking about sex? Maybe many do.) It is of its time, but sadly not ahead of its time.

[Cath Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was the basis of my Master's dissertation and started me on the slippery slope of gender studies that led me to feminism. It's a novel of declining masculinity- on a personal and societal level. Meredith captures the early 80's anger at the dissolution of industry in South wales and distills it down to the dissolution of community, marriage and self. Brilliant.

[Billy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful piece of storytelling from a masterful writer. Shifts explores the anxious subjectivities of four central characters as their lives are stymied by the slow but inexorably painful process of deindustrialisation. There is betrayal, anger, longing, and poignancy in what is a nuanced and moving tale.