I have no memory of acquiring this book, which is considered a children’s classic. I wonder if the mystery of its origin in my home was a factor in keeping me reading it since I found it hard work.

Generally, I need to empathise with at least one character in a book to give it any of my valuable time. It was difficult to feel such understanding for most of the people who inhabit this telling of a Welsh folklore tale. They all seemed self-absorbed and mostly unpleasant, apart from Gwyn, an unfortunate offspring of a cruel and selfish mother.

But there was something mysterious within the story that kept me turning the pages. I was curious enough to plough on to the end, which I found both disappointing and uplifting. Disappointing because it seemed to me the wrong character solved the problem, but uplifting because at least the outcome was positive.

This is apparently a children’s classic. I doubt I’d have bothered with it as a child, though my reading as a youngster was extensive and varied. There wasn’t enough here for me, when a child, to become absorbed. In fact, the slightly odd manner of presentation, the disconnections within the group of people, the oddness of the location and the somewhat fanciful nature of the folklore would have prevented me entering its world.

So, a disappointing story for me. But, since it’s apparently a classic, it has obviously appealed to earlier readers, or, perhaps as with other so-called classics for children, it was imposed on them by their elders?

[Any review is a personal opinion. No reviewer can represent the view of anyone else. The best we can manage is an honest reaction to any given book.]