Billed as a “humorous travelogue”, Russ Williams’ Where The Folk is not only fun but full of facts, holding its heartfelt passion for the myths and legends of Wales very lightly, imbuing the book with liveliness and a sense of adventure as we explore them. At the same time, it’s well researched, thoughtfully structured, and contains endnotes, a bibliography, and myriad interviews with people who are both local to the sites of these mythological tales as well as experts in their field. And it’s this plethora of viewpoints that adds a well-rounded, balanced sense to proceedings, along with the author’s voice, views, and wit.

Although the author admits that “finding the origins of these tales is impossible”, Williams has a fine time travelling around his “creaky red Fiesta” to locate and learn more about them – and we do, too. Delving into the history behind the myths, getting “distracted by mysticism”, and chatting to many a storyteller leaves us, the reader, “fired up” for folklore as well.

Whether Welsh myths will endure, in the face of on-demand digital culture and lack of community campfires or other venues of traditional tale-telling, remains to be seen – but in the meantime, this fine, fiery and (yes) fun book does a grand job of keeping them alive, gently investigating their roots, and illuminating them beautifully for any and every reader.