Dyma nofel anghonfensiynol sy’n son am helyntion teulu Romani matriarchaidd, seiliedig ar yr wybodaeth a gasglwyd gan yr awdur am eu ffordd o fyw (yn deillio nôl i gyfnod yr enwog Abram Wood), ar eu hymweliadau â Chorwen, lle’r oedd Elena Puw Morgan yn byw.
Fe’i hadroddir ar ffurf llythyr oddi wrth Nansi Lovell, ar ddiwedd ei hoes yn unigrwydd ei charafán, at ei hwyres Nansi Wyn (merch y Plas, na ŵyr ddim am ei gwaed Romani), yn son am ei bywyd lliwgar o dan ofal ei nain hithau, Nansi Wood.
Canolbwynt y stori yw’r dirgelwch sy’n amgylchynu marwolaeth drychinebus rhieni Nansi Lovell, a gynyddir gan ymweliadau brawychus a sydyn Alana Lee yn ei gwisg lachar ar gefn ei march mawr gwyn.
Wedyn, daw aer ifanc Plas Madog i gymhlethu’r berthynas rhwng aelodau’r llwyth. Mae’n syrthio mewn cariad â Nansi Lovell, yn trefnu addysg ffurfiol ar ei chyfer, ac o dipyn i beth, yn ei phriodi.
Mae’r tyndra rhwng safonau bywyd Nansi Lovell ymhlith menywod haenau uchaf cymdeithas, ynghyd â disgwyliadau llym ei gŵr yn gwrthdaro â’i magwraeth Romani, ac yn anochel, yn y pen draw, mae’n dychwelyd i’w charafán fel Brenhines ei llwyth.
An unconventional novel recounting the trials and tribulations of a matriarchal Romani family, based on the author’s relationship with, and knowledge of their way of life dating back to the era of the renowned Abram Wood, gathered during their visits to the outskirts of Corwen, where Elena Puw Morgan lived.
The story takes the form of a letter, written by Nansi Lovell in her old age, in the loneliness of her caravan, to her grand-daughter Nansi Wyn, (brought up in the local Mansion, ignorant of her Romani blood), describing her colourful life in the care of her own grand-mother, Nansi Wood.
The mystery surrounding the tragic death of Nansi Lovell’s parents is the focal point of the story, excarcerbated by the sudden appearances of the wild Alana Lee in her bright red dress on her big white stallion.
The relationship between the members of the tribe is threatened by Madog, the local young landowner, who takes a fancy to Nansi, ensures her a formal education, and eventually they marry.
Her life among the higher echelons of London society clashes with her upbringing, inevitably, events lead to her return to her former life as Queen of her Romani family.
About the author
Elena Puw Morgan (1900-1973) was a Welsh language novelist, brought up in Corwen, Meirionnydd. She became well known as the author of Y Wisg Sidan and Y Graith republished many times. She won Y Fedal Ryddiaith (The Prose Medal) for Y Graith in 1938, regarded as a huge step forward in the development of the Welsh novel. Y Wisg Sidan was filmed and broadcast on S4C.
Elena married in 1931 and her home became prominent as a meeting place for those interested in literature: one of the regular visitors was John Cowper Powys who was a great admirer of Elena and her husband’s literary knowledge and cultural interests.
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