MoMoBookDiary

Caryl Lewis

My Review of Drift

Drift is a tender, evocative story of two lost souls—Nefyn, a young woman tied to the sea and her small Welsh village, and Hamza, a refugee navigating a life far from his homeland. Their lives intertwine in a narrative that explores themes of love, isolation, redemption, and the universal need to belong. Set against the rugged beauty of the Welsh coastline, the novel’s atmospheric setting becomes almost a character itself, vividly described in a way that evokes both wonder and longing. The descriptions of the cove, in particular, were stunning, immersing me in its magic and tranquility.

Caryl Lewis weaves an enchanting tale that blends realism with mythic elements. Nefyn’s ethereal connection to the sea—a nod to selkie mythology—adds a touch of magical realism, skillfully handled without overshadowing the story’s emotional core. Hamza’s journey, shaped by an unjust military action that has placed him in danger and far from home, is a poignant counterpoint to Nefyn’s isolation. Their meeting and growing bond bring hope and light to a narrative grounded in struggle.

There are many details to love in this novel. The redemption arc of Nefyn’s brother, for example, was sensitively and realistically portrayed, offering a nuanced understanding of his motivations. Another standout element was the way the chapters were titled in Welsh, English, and Arabic, emphasizing the cross-cultural connections central to the story. The storylines of Efa and Emrys were similarly crafted with care, adding layers of complexity to the narrative.

Although the story’s pace was deliberate, some moments felt prolonged. However, the vivid prose, atmospheric setting, and emotional resonance more than compensated for this. Lewis’s ability to blend ancient mythology with a contemporary backdrop excavates what is eternal in the human experience: our shared need for love, belonging, and redemption.

I highly recommend Drift to anyone who enjoys introspective, character-driven stories, especially those with an appreciation for the power of a well-narrated audiobook. It’s a poignant, timeless story that carries you away, much like the waves of its coastal setting.

The Author

Caryl Lewis is a multi-award-winning Welsh novelist, children’s writer, playwright and screenwriter. Her breakthrough novel Martha, Jac a Sianco (2004) is widely regarded as a modern classic of Welsh literature, and sits on the Welsh curriculum. The film adaptation – with a screenplay by Lewis herself – went on to win six Welsh BAFTAS and the Spirit of the Festival Award at the 2010 Celtic Media Festival. Lewis’s other screenwriting work includes BBC/S4C thrillers Hinterland and Hidden. Lewis is a visiting lecturer in Creative Writing at Cardiff University, and lives with her family on a farm near Aberystwyth. Drift is her debut novel in the English language.

Caryl Lewis has an author page at Penguin.co.uk

The Book

• Title: Drift
• Author: Caryl Lewis
• Publisher: Penguin Audio
• Publication Date: 21 April 2022
• Pages: 6h 55m

The Review

I listened to the audiobook of Drift by Caryl Lewis, the celebrated winner of the Wales Book of the Year in 2023, as it was the chosen Book of the Month for The Book Fairy Book Club. I’m not generally drawn to dystopian novels, which this is sometimes classified as, but I wanted to give it a chance – and I’m so glad I did. Beautifully narrated, the story captured my imagination and drew me into its world with a blend of lyricism and emotional depth.

The decision to listen to the audiobook was transformative. The narrator, Rebecca Trehearn, delivered a rich and heartfelt performance, perfectly capturing the lyrical quality of Caryl Lewis’s writing. The nuances of Welsh pronunciation added authenticity and drew me even deeper into the story. It felt as though I wasn’t just listening to a book but experiencing it firsthand.

The use of Cymraeg (Welsh) to title chapters, alongside English and Arabic, added a layer of cultural depth, connecting the ancient and modern in a way that felt profound. Certain passages, filled with longing and quiet beauty, were especially poignant when spoken aloud.

Despite the nearly seven-hour runtime, the audiobook flew by as I was swept along, carried as if on a wave by the rhythm of its storytelling.

Drift is magical and whimsical in the way its tale flows, lingering in your mind long after the final page—or in this case, the last word. Listening to the audiobook enriched my experience, adding a depth of feeling I might not have achieved from reading alone.

All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts thereof, may also be published on my social medial channels – find me everywhere as momobookdiary – and book websites (once published) such as Amazon, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Waterstones. All links are correct at the time of publication.

Tags: #Drift #CarylLewis #BookFairyBookClub #ibelieveinbookfairies #fiction #dystopian #WalesBookoftheYear #AwardWinningNovel