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Register at: https://bit.ly/vulcana2023
Dyniaethau a'r Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
SpeakerRebecca F. John
Elaine Canning
Rebecca F. John is the author of five books for adults – Vulcana, Clown's Shoes, The Haunting of Henry Twist, The Empty Greatcoat, and Fannie. She has previously been shortlisted for the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award and the Costa First Novel Award. In 2022, she published her first children's book, a middle-grade novel called The Shadow Order, with Firefly Press.
Rebecca lives in Swansea with her partner, their son, and their dogs. She loves walking, the sea, and reading about as many different worlds as possible.
From: 26 Oct 2023, 6 p.m.To: 26 Oct 2023, 7 p.m.
Location: Taliesin Create, Swansea University, Singleton Park, SA2 8PZ, Swansea
Published by Honno Welsh Women’s press in May 2023, Vulcana is a fictional telling of the real story of Victorian Kate Williams.
On a stormy winter’s night, 1892, Kate Williams, a Baptist Minister’s daughter, leaves her small Welsh hometown of Abergavenny and sets out for London with nothing more than a travel case and a wild plan: she is going to become a strongwoman.
But it is not only her ambition she is chasing. William Roberts, twelve years her senior and the leader of a troupe of strong men and women, has captured her imagination and her heart. In London, William reinvents Kate as ‘Vulcana – Most Beautiful Woman on Earth’, and himself as ‘Atlas’. Soon they are travelling around Britain and beyond, performing in theatres in France, Australia, Algiers.
As Vulcana’s star rises, however, so Altas’ fades, and Kate finds herself holding together both a troupe of performers and a family. But does she truly want fame and fortune? How can she reconcile being a mother with touring the world? Can she really be a voice for women and, in spite of expectation and convention, remain true to herself?
‘Beautifully written, thought-provoking & a touching love story.’ Tracy Rees
‘All the glamour and grit of music halls. A truly empathetic portrayal of a brave, independent young woman.’ Essie Fox
In partnership with Cover to Cover
Please note: Event delivered in English
Contact: Sam Ward-Jones (Email: s.e.ward-jones@swansea.ac.uk)
Website: https://bit.ly/vulcana2023
Event created by: s.e.ward-jones