A Few Selected Exits

By Gwyn Thomas and Gwyn Thomas

Book Overview

An Autumn 1993 Public Television Presentation Starring Anthony Hopkins. Thomas (1913-1981), a prolific and versatile Welsh writer, gave this work the subtitle An Autobiography of Sorts' an apt description, since it tells more about the author himself than about his life. Many digressions, and digressions from digressions, occur. In these comic episodes he uses a cast of hilarious characters to describe his youth in a south Wales mining valley during the depression of the 1920s and 30s. His varied pursuits provided ample material for his exhilarating anecdotes, full of mordant wit and trenchant observations. "Not only a vivid introduction to a most entertaining writer but an eloquent version of a narrative which has a more general interest. This narrative, which is also to be found in the novels of the eminent literary critic Raymond Williams, deals with the cultural destiny of the Welsh during this century - bound to stimulate fresh interest in an attractive author and in the literature of his native country."--Magill Book Reviews.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802313035
• ISBN13: 9780802313034
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: Dufour Editions
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A literary masterpiece

The canon of novels, short stories, plays and television appearances left to the world by the late, great Gwyn Thomas are unique in that they perfectly define a country and its people. If you thought that the only literary genius to come out of Wales was Dylan Thomas, then you have an absolute treat in store for you. Gwyn Thomas is the ultimate literary craftsman. Words came easily to him and with just a few well chosen sentences he can evoke a mood, a time and a location. His books are like roller coasters. He takes you to the places he writes about. His characters become real people and, through him, you share their passions. I have absolutely no hesitation at all in recommending this book to people who love books. It is an absolute classic and when you read it you will understand why Sir Anthony Hopkins was willing to take a massive pay cut to appear as Gwyn Thomas in the BBC film of the book. The man was a genius. Buy this book. Read it and tell your friends about it.

Selected Exits is a thoughtful and humorous read. A "must."

Follow the life of this little-known Welsh playwrite from his roots in the coalfields of the Rhonda Valley through a brilliant scholastic career at Oxford. Also, make a special effort to see the excellent television program from the BBC based on this book. Anthony Hopkins is at his best as Thomas. This book, and the television production noted above, is a must for lovers of literature and humor. These works should have a much wider audience.

Gwyn Thomas' autobiography is unlike any of it's kind.

Gwyn Thomas' autobiography "A Few Selected Exits" is unlike any other autobiography you have read. A bold statement, but one which is easy proved. A reader need only delve into the first few pages, and they will be hooked on the genius of a man unappreciated in his own time. Thomas' autobiography is the only one I have read which is not self serving. He recounts escapades from his life yes, but in such a non-linear way, one gets the impression of sharing a drink with him in a pub. I have never read a book before which will make the reader laugh out loud in a room alone. Thomas skewers pretension at his alma mater Oxford, and takes a honest but affectionate view of the youth he spent in poverty in Wales with equal enthusiasm. .