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Once again proving that Welsh fiction is revelling in something of a golden age in the emergence of fine new (and already established) talent, Urban Welsh is an eclectic, revealing and over-all vastly entertaining short story collection for the literary Cymru connoisseur. Throwing together tales of unbridled passion, gritty real life and near priceless, er . . . carpets, this collection is full of delights and emotion, yet never fails to remain fresh and original. Award-winning, experienced and budding new writers alike rub shoulders comfortably with each other, nestled snugly in this diverse volume, and I guarantee that there will be several tales, if not many more, that will touch everyone within this book.
It is so difficult to pick a favourite story amongst the many gems that sparkle within this collection, but for sheer rugged realism and youthful memories of morphing groups of ragged tearaways, Brian Smith's ‘Broken Arrow’ really struck me. Simple and condensed, it crams a whole world of emotion within its concisely crafted eight pages, pinpointing a fight between local boys, sparked off by the destruction of a wooden arrow. Pouring intrigue, power, desperate fighting and a childish sphere into the text, Smith creates an emotive and excellent read.
However, it seems somewhat short-sighted to pick merely one story out of this wonderful compilation, and I cannot recommend it enough if you love Welsh literature, or merely have a short attention span when it comes to reading novels. Notable authors who really made a vivid impression on me included the aforementioned Brian Smith, Niall Griffiths, Lloyd Robson, Rhian Saadat and Tristan Hughes, but every story offered something excellent of its own and you may well find your next favourite Welsh author hidden amongst this anthology.
Jack Clothier
It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgement should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.
Gellir defnyddio’r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatad Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.
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Author Biography: Nineteen stories featuring Niall Griffiths (Welsh Book of the Year Winner), Leonora Britto (Rhys Davies award Winner), Tristan Hughes, Jo Mazelis (Shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writer’s Award), Lloyd Robson, Glenda Beagan and Rachel Trezise (Orange Futures Winner) among others. Further Information: New stories from experienced and award winning Welsh writers and an opportunity to read new talent.
This collection forms a bridge between the tail end of the urban genre in popular fiction and a confidence in twenty-first century Welsh writing in English.
Some of the short fiction in this anthology is set in the urban centres of Wales. Other stories take the threads of styles of writing, urban and contemporary, weave then into the strings of themes that tie together the diversity and intertwining cultures strewn across the landscape of a modern Wales.
Award winning authors mixed with debut writers, this is Parthian’s most eclectic collection of short Welsh Fiction since the ground-breaking Mama’s Baby, Papa’s Maybe. It is the biggest anthology of all new fiction to come out of Wales.
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