Jasper Rees has always wanted to be Welsh. But despite Welsh grandparents (and a Welsh surname) he is an Englishman: by birth, upbringing and temperament. In this singular, hilarious love letter to a glorious country so often misunderstood, Rees sets out to achieve his goal of becoming a Welshman by learning to sing, play, work, worship, think - and above all, speak - like one. On the way he meets monks, tenors and politicians, and tries his hand at rugby and lambing - all the while weaving together his personal story with Wales's rich history. Culminating in a nail-biting test of Rees's Welsh-speaking skill at the National Eisteddfod, this exuberant journey of self-discovery celebrates the importance of national identity, and the joy of belonging.
Bred of Heaven: One man's quest to reclaim his Welsh roots
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Review
'A most entertaining and inspiring handbook for anyone who would really prefer to be Welsh - and who wouldn't?' --Jan Morris
'Lyrical ... funny, hugely enjoyable, often deeply moving' --John Humphrys
'wonderfully readable, warm, funny... very uplifting and very entertaining' --Steve Dubé, Western Mail
'warm, lyrical and witty' --Mail on Sunday
'Lyrical ... funny, hugely enjoyable, often deeply moving' --John Humphrys
'wonderfully readable, warm, funny... very uplifting and very entertaining' --Steve Dubé, Western Mail
'warm, lyrical and witty' --Mail on Sunday
Book Description
A year in pursuit of Welshness Now a Radio 4 Book of the Week
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An incredibly moving, witty, humorous and downright inspiring book! This book will sweep you away and take you on a journey with the writer, the brilliant Jasper Rees, throughout the glorious countryside of Wales as it embarks on a mission of personal discovery where so many aspects of Welsh culture are explored and described with wit and charm. The book has a wonderful blend of Welsh history interwoven with current events where we are introduced to a multiplicity of wonderful Welsh characters from sporting heroes to politicians. The book explores so many areas of Welsh culture from poetry to the wonderful and beautiful old Welsh language. This is one man's search for his own national identity which has made me laugh and it has made me cry. It is a masterpiece that has touched my life and has taught me so much. I can without question, recommend this book to anyone.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Greymalkin
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm English born and bred, but with ancestry linking me to every country in the British Islands. I enjoyed reading about Jasper's attempts to engage in various aspects of Welsh culture and (as someone who has tried to learn Manx Gaelic), I could sympathise with him re those damn mutations! This book has actually given me back an appetite for our native languages, so maybe one day I will also be having Welsh conversations with fellow students at Nant. I would have preferred a bit more history in the book, and I was VERY disappointed with Jasper over the peeing incident on Offa's dyke. To embrace the culture and language of the country of your ancestral roots is one thing, but to disrespect the country where your children were born is wrong. Parts of the book made me laugh though, but then I have a Welsh friend whose daughter lives in Ohio. She's not called Jane! I will be buying my friend a copy.
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well written, funny. A man after my own heart as I too am half Welsh and am proud of that half! I'd recommend it to anyone with a love of Wales and all things Welsh.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bred of Heaven
Fantastic. A great, humourous read, especially as much of it reflects my life as the child of English and Welsh parents, who traveled regularly to Welsh grandparents. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Andi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worked in Wales, for Wales, and the Welsh were more than kind to a...
Its a fascinating concept, good read and very satisfyng for cymru-philes
Not yet read the others, but will review when I have.
Not yet read the others, but will review when I have.
Published 1 month ago by ian mercer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Adder hog
As someone thinking of returning to the old country, and trying to brush up on my very rusty Welsh, Jasper Rees's account of his journey in the same direction made my feel I had a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Liz O'Neill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bred of heaven
As a Carmarthen exile who has become more Welsh since leaving Wales the author has perfectly captured all of our foibles and fatalistic tendencies. Read more
Published 4 months ago by David Smith
2.0 out of 5 stars
Prints of Wales
An accessible book for holidaymakers in Wales who wish to know more about its people. This sympathetic account examines some of the important institutions and cultural elements of... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Robert Cordner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Da iawn
Very enjoyable read- I loved reading Jasper Rees's account of how he found learning Welsh, as I am a learner myself. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Lizardgirl
4.0 out of 5 stars
welsh roots
A very good read. Interesting to find someone with a similar background to myself with an interest in finding out where you came from.More contacts than I could ever hope to have.
Published 8 months ago by Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
An great read for any Welsh 'learners'
I was given this book as a gift due to my efforts to learn the language and culture of my Welsh wife, and it was a great read. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Martin Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
bread of heaven
A very well written account of an Anglo Welshmans struggle with their indentity.Well written and true to the point humerous at times. Read more
Published 11 months ago by elizabeth
4.0 out of 5 stars
A mixed bag of emotions
An enjoyable read which takes you through a wide range of emotions and reactions, including laughter and poignancy. Read more
Published 13 months ago by L. Meredith
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