Everything Must Change

This poignant first novel is about social conscience and radical activism in the modern world. It intercuts the story of twentieth century French philosopher and radical activist, Simone Weil, with a fictional twenty-first century Welsh language campaigner, Meinwen Jones. The self-denying, ascetic lives of both women are portrayed with gentle clarity, and the novel travels between the humanising of dissent and the cold politics of acute social conscience.The often uncomfortable political realities for a culture fighting for the survival of a Welsh identity are depicted from the inside and the harsh choices facing its long-time defenders explored unflinchingly. In a prison cell, Meinwen finds herself on the verge of following Simone's passionate asceticism to its logical conclusion. This is a translation of Rhaid i Bopeth Newydd, which was longlisted for the Welsh Book of the Year in 2004.