'Davies’ voice is attractive because it is so unusual, so untarnished by sophistication, and this may perhaps account for many aspects of Davies’ ‘otherness’ – something Bernard Shaw was attracted to. You could argue Shaw appreciated a social experiment related to his Pygmalion (1913) in Young Emma – the parallels are obvious, only in this facsimile Henry Higgins is an ex-tramp.'

Gary Raymond reviews the latest title in the Library of Wales series from Parthian Books, Young Emma by W.H. Davies, for Wales Arts Review

Buy Young Emma from Parthian Books