Anglo Welsh literature has produced a number of exciting new talents in recent years. Prominent amongst these is Gee Williams whose debut novel 'Salvage' recently won one of the Aur Pur/Pure Gold prizes for 2008. The novel is a 'literary thriller' set in Wales and Chester and though there is a body ( and body parts ) this is not a work of crime fiction. Indeed the crime is almost incidental to the plot. What we are offered instead is a haunting and realistic drama, narrated skilfully from five different perspectives, in which themes of timeless significance are explored. This novel has a great deal to say about human relationships in the 21st century; emotional constancy, marital infidelity and the consequences of each. It also treats of ambition, betrayal and lust. Couple that with a first rate plot and a keen sense of pace and you have all the ingredients necessary for a stunning debut novel.
Fans of Gee Williams do not have to wait long for her next offering. Indeed a collection of short stories entitled 'Blood' has recently been published and can be purchased HERE
Aur Pur/Pure Gold 2008
Readers in libraries across north Wales have voted for books by two local authors to win the Aur Pur/Pure Gold prizes for 2008. The winning books are Hogan Horni by Menna Medi and Salvage by Gee Williams. Both fought off competition from books which have won, or been shortlisted for, major literary prizes.
Two lucky readers who cast their votes have also won hampers of books from Wales. Miss G Edwards, a member of Llangollen Library, said that “The books are relevant to today – and it was also almost impossible to put them down once I’d started!”. Ms S Dummler, a member of Llangefni Library said her choice of books “have a strong sense of place, and reflect unique aspects of Welsh culture”.
Libraries across North Wales ran the reading promotion called Aur Pur/Pure Gold to introduce readers to the good reads available at local libraries. Librarians from Estyn Allan y Gogledd, the reader development network, chose twelve books, all set in Wales but which take the reader to many different places, and readers were invited to read the books, then vote for their three favourites. Reading groups in libraries across North Wales also read and discussed the books.
The 12 books in the Aur Pur/Pure Gold promotion were:
Don’t Cry for Me Aberystwyth Malcom Pryce
Salvage Gee Williams
Resistance Owen Sheers
Dial M for Merthyr Rachel Trezise
The Master Bedroom Tessa Hadley
The Welsh Girl Peter Ho Davies
Fy Mrawd a Minnau Alun Jones
Hogan Horni Menna Medi
Sibrydion o Andromeda Emyr Wyn Roberts
Y Gemydd Caryl Lewis
Pryfeta Tony Bianchi
Gwylliaid Glyndwr Daniel Davies
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