Students pen prize-winning reviews

Three A Level students from Gower College Swansea have claimed prizes at the 2019 DylanEd book review competition, which is organised by Swansea University as part of the wider International Dylan Thomas Prize celebrations.

The students, who are all studying AS English Language and Literature at the Gorseinon Campus, entered the 16-18 category of the competition and were awarded their prizes at a recent event in the Guildhall.

Cara Davies and Caitlin Grigg-Williams were named joint third winners for their reviews of, respectively, Sarah Perry’s Melmoth and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s Friday Black.

Meanwhile, Megan Phillips took first place for her review of Louisa Hall’s Trinity.

“We are delighted with this result,” says lecturer Emma Smith. “Not only did the students receive a trophy and signed copies of the shortlisted books, they also got to meet and chat to the authors, which they were absolutely thrilled about!”

The DylanEd competition invites pupils and students from schools and colleges across Swansea, as well as undergraduates from Swansea University, to produce eloquent and thoughtful reviews of the International Dylan Thomas Prize shortlisted books.