England Is My Village: and The World Owes Me A Living

John Llewelyn Rhys (1911-1940) was a British aviation novelist who published The Flying Shadow in 1936 and The World Owes Me A Living in 1939. Both novels were powerful about British aviation in the 1930s, featuring planes, pilots, and their hard-drinking lives. Rhys died in an RAF training flight in August 1940. His widow, Jane Oliver, assembled his last book for publication, England is My Village, which won the prestigious Hawthornden Prize in 1942. This new edition of England is My Village and The World Owes Me A Living is a stunning rediscovery of this brilliant writer.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 195 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2022
Publisher: Handheld Press

John Llewelyn Rhys, a talented writer born in Abergavenny in 1911, left an indelible mark on literature with his remarkable works. In 1936, he published "The Flying Shadow," a powerful novel that also saw a reissue by Handheld Press. Two years later, in 1939, he unveiled "The World Owes Me a Living," a captivating tale that later found its way onto the silver screen in 1945. These two novels, which delved deeply into the world of British aviation during the 1930s, captured the essence of planes, pilots, their unwavering passion for flight, their exceptional skill and bravery, their hard-drinking lifestyles, their record-breaking long-distance attempts, and the tragic consequences of risk-taking. Tragically, Rhys' journey came to an end in August 1940 during an RAF training flight. However, his legacy lived on through his widow, the acclaimed novelist Jane Oliver, who painstakingly assembled his final book for publication. Titled "England is My Village," this collection of short stories was released in 1941 and garnered critical acclaim, including the prestigious Hawthornden Prize in 1942. In honor of her late husband, Jane Oliver established the John Llewelyn Rhys Prize, a prestigious award aimed at giving young writers the opportunity he had missed. This new edition of "England is My Village" serves as a testament to Rhys' enduring talent, while "The World Owes Me a Living" offers a captivating rediscovery of this brilliant writer.

Rhys' prose is characterized by its spareness and directness, with every word carefully chosen to convey meaning and emotion. His dialogue is immediate, capturing the mood, emotions, relationships, characters, and actions with precision. The stories in this collection span from 1936 to 1940, serving as a poignant reminder of the immense responsibilities placed on young men who flew thousands of feet above the earth, enclosed in metal, petrol, and canvas. The Introduction to the book is written by Kate Macdonald and Luke Seaber, providing valuable insights into the life and work of John Llewelyn Rhys.

John Llewelyn Rhys' literary contributions continue to inspire and resonate with readers, reminding us of the indomitable spirit of adventure and the sacrifices made by those who dared to dream. His novels serve as a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring impact of literature on our collective consciousness.

ISBN-13: 9781912766666
Edition number: New ed