Dylan Thomas: In the Mercy of His Means

Tremlett's biography, a thoroughly revisionist work and the first ever done with the cooperation of Dylan's widow, Caitlin, thoroughly explores the tortured life of Thomas, demystifying and demythicizing the great Welsh poet. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

This biography of the famous Welsh poet (1914-1953) was written with the cooperation of his widow, Caitlin, whose own memoir was coauthored by Tremlett ( Caitlin: A Warring Absence ). Stating that much of Dylan Thomas's work does not appeal to him, the author devotes many pages to hair-splitting over the allegations made by John Malcolm Brinnin in Dylan Thomas in America as to the details of the poet's untimely death, probably from alcoholism, and disputing other Brinnin anecdotes. Tremlett also criticizes the way that court-appointed trustees have handled Thomas's estate. The poet's Welsh childhood and personal life are presented in some detail, but little evaluation of his creative output is offered. Seeing Thomas as the world's first media star because of his recordings and readings, Tremlett attributes the poet's well-known petty thievery, drinking and neglect of his family to the strains of instant fame. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Tremlett sees Thomas as an artist destroyed by fame in the manner of rock stars. Writing in consultation with Caitlin, Thomas's widow, he provides sympathetic explanations for the more obnoxious aspects of Thomas's character, emphasizing his brilliance as writer and performer and his ability to charm anyone he wished to. Tremlett does provide publishing histories and a description of his own quarrel with the trustees who control publication of Thomas's work, but the book adds little to our understanding of the poet. The many cliches, unsupported generalizations, and instances of muddled thinking make this a frustrating book to read. Recommended only for larger Thomas collections.
- Judy Mimken, Saginaw Valley State Univ., Mich.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.