A470: Poems for the Road / Cerddi'r Ffordd

by Sian Northey (Editor), Ness Owen (Editor), Siôn Aled (Translator)

Arguably the most famous road in Wales, the A470 is 186 miles from shore to shore through the backbone of Wales, linking north to south.

Peaceful and picturesque or slow and never-ending: the road out of here, the road home, the beginnings of devolution? Glorious national parks, bypasses, being stuck behind a certain lorry firm or worse, a caravan, the road to the Royal Welsh? From the seashore to slates, from nuclear power stations and fighter plane flypasts to forests and mountains: Bwlch yr Oerddrws, Pen y Fan. On the road or on a journey, there's no need to take the A470 too literally.

51 original poems, translated into and out of Welsh, to create an entirely bilingual poetry collection.

Edited by and translated by Sian Northey and Ness Owen, with additional translations from Siôn Aled, and the authors.

Genres: Poetry

114 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[Judith Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed these poems, as a Welsh learner, a writer and reader of poetry, and as a resident at the side of the A470.

Great to be able to read the poems in Welsh and English. This book has been a surprise hit for the small independent Arachne Press, (meriting a mention in The Grauniad)* and is currently in its third reprint!

Looking forward to an evening hearing some of the poets reading from the book next week in Brecon.

*
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this collection of stories in verse from a brilliant range of voices. It’s a wonderful way to create all aspects of a road so fundamental to Wales ‘travelling through memory, myth, love and grief’.
I confess I have never driven along the A470 but recognise so many of the journeys. I have read every word in English, and although I don’t speak the language, and it’s likely I have failed to appreciate the nuance on first reading, I am now quite keen to explore the place, the rich heritage and the stories. Thank you!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, interesting and moving collection of poetry about the main north south road in Wales. 5 stars for delivering on what it says on the tin. Bonus in that it contains both the English and Welsh version, so great if you are learning Welsh.

[Halkon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mwynheais i y cerddi hyn ond do'n i ddim yn cyffroi

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwych! Da iawn.