Ethel Ross, the sister in law of Alfred Janes, was the guardian of Dylan Thomas' legacy for decades. Shortly after his death in 1953, She compiled a photo memoir of his haunts in and around Swansea. Ugly, Lovely: Dylan's Swansea and Carmarthenshire of the 1950s in Pictures is a touching collection of Ethel's photos accompanied by quotes from Dylan Thomas' poetry and her own comments. Together they provide an unprecendented portrait of Swansea, Laugharne and Llansteffan in the 1950s, letting the reader see the Carmarthenshire landscape for the first time through the eyes of Wales' most celebrated poet. Ugly, Lovely also contains a rarely seen satirical sketch, 'Lunch at Mussolini's', written by Thomas as a schoolboy. 'This particular sketch he gave to me to put on at the Swansea Little Theatre. In those days I used to write comic sketches for the party held after each show; but it was never produced, probably because I managed in the end to put together something more topical for the society. I still have the script, however.'- Ethel Ross Lunch at Mussolini's offers a vivid and whimsical insight into the early workings of Dylan's mind and a caustic satire of the dictator's life. Patiently preserved by Ethel, the sketch will be published for the first time alongside her photo memoir.

In collaboration with the Dylan Thomas centre, material from Ugly, Lovely: Dylan's Swansea, Laugharne and Llansteffan will be presented in a temporary exhibition. Walking tours will be organised around Swansea, following Ethel's photographs and comments.

About the Author
Hilly Janes is an award-winning writer and editor who has worked for many national newspapers and magazines including the Times, Guardian, Observer, Independent and Prospect magazine. She spent her first ten years on the Gower peninsula, where her aunt, Ethel Ross, a lecturer in education, shared the family home. Hilly now lives in London with her husband and two children. Her biography, The Three Lives of Dylan Thomas, is based on portraits of the poet painted by her father, the Swansea born artist Alfred Janes.

Reviews
'...what Thel Ross's perspactive lets us appreciate, is how much from the humdurm of 'ugly, lovely' places, comes such tremendous work' - Cery Matthews



Book Information
ISBN 9781910901779
Author Hilly Janes
Format Hardback
Page Count 160
Imprint Parthian Books
Publisher Parthian Books