Catrin Kean short story on Radio 4

Another great Welsh short story given the audio treatment.

If you haven’t done it already, and you have a penchant for Welsh short stories, then it’s worth subscribing to the Short Works series on BBC Sounds as it’s surprising just how often a little gem of cold hard Welshness pops up to brighten the day. Less than a month ago I wrote about the brilliant Jane Fraser and her story “Paraphernalia” which came under the same strand (props to the BBC’s Emma Harding, who seems to be doing a very fine line in commissioning these 14 minute stories from Welsh writers).

This week we have another exciting prospect. Catrin Kean was a popular, if surprise, winner of the Wales Book of the Year a few years ago for her debut novel, Salt. This is the first new piece of fiction I have seen of hers since that win (although there’s every chance I’ve missed something), but I understand a second novel is imminent.

“Dŵr” bears all the hallmarks of the novel that won her that prize in 2021 - it has a luscious attention to detail, but mixed with an intuitive care for that open space between the writer and reader (or listener). Kean, of course, did not come from nowhere. She has a background in writing for television (she has a Welsh BAFTA) and there are the remnants of that kind of sharpness in her prose.

Catrin Stewart reads “Dŵr” and brings a richness out of it. It reminds me of the many qualities in Clare Keegan.

Whatever you’re up to this week, take quarter of an hour out to listen to this.

And you can do that by following this link here.

Gary Raymond is a novelist, author, playwright, critic, and broadcaster. In 2012, he co-founded Wales Arts Review, was its editor for ten years. His latest book, Abandon All Hope: A Personal Journey Through the History of Welsh Literature is is out now with Calon Books.