Rhidian Brook

Rhidian Brook (born 1964, Tenby, Pembrokeshire) is a Welsh novelist, broadcaster, TV dramatist and short-story writer.

Brook has written two novels. His first - "The Testimony of Taliesin Jones" (1996) - won the 1997 Somerset Maugham Award, a Betty Trask Award and the Author's Club First Novel Award as well being runner up for Welsh Book of The Year (1997). Telling the story of an 11 year old who finds faith whilst coming to terms with his parent's separation, this critically acclaimed novel was hailed as a Welsh classic. In 2000 the novel was made into a film starring Jonathan Pryce.

Brook's second novel - "Jesus and the Adman" (1999) - tells the story of Johnny Yells, a young, ambitious advertising executive, who comes up with the idea of using Jesus in a life assurance commercial. The resulting success of the campaign sees Yells' career take off; but a growing obsession with death sees him endure a frightening break down.

Brook has written a number of short stories. His first was a winning entrant in the 1991 Time Out Short Story competition. After which he went on to have several stories published in magazines such as The Paris Review, Punch and the New Statesman, as well as a number recorded and broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Short Story.

Rhidian Brook has written a number of screenplays including 4 episodes for the TV series Silent Witness in 2005-6: "The Meaning of Death: Part 1" (2005); "The Meaning of Death: Part 2" (2005); "Body of Work: Part 1" (2006) and "Body of Work: Part 2" (2006). He has also written a TV drama for the BBC, Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle (2005), starring Timothy Spall and directed by Susanna White.

In Easter 2005, Brook presented "Nailing the Cross" a documentary for BBC1 about the meaning of the cross to British culture.contr

He has contributed articles on faith, travel, social issues and education to The Daily Telegraph, The Observer, Daily Mail and others.

In 2006 Brook broadcast a series "In The Blood" for BBC World Service, recording his family's journey through the AIDS pandemic and work with the Salvation Army. His journey also became a book, "More Than Eyes Can See: A Nine Month Journey into the Aids Pandemic" (2007).

Brook is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's Thought For The Day.

Rhidian Brook lives with his wife and two children in London.

Books by Rhidian Brook

*"The Testimony of Taliesin Jones" (1996)
*"Jesus and the Adman" (1999)
*"More Than Eyes Can See: A Nine Month Journey into the Aids Pandemic" (2007)

Reference

* [http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/?a=945&pr=83&day=&genre= Rhidian Brook at the Greenbelt Festival ]