The Writers of Wales Database

LAWRENCE, HUW

Born in Llanelli, he trained as a teacher in Swansea, continuing his education at Manchester and Cornell Universities. He spent several years doing a variety of labouring jobs in Manchester and the Ffestiniog area of north Wales and now lives in Aberystwyth. His first collection of short stories was published by Alcemi in May 2010.

Huw's stories have won prizes in the Rhys Davies Short Story Competition three times, having also gained three Cinnamon Awards and a Bridport prize. He was runner up for the 2009 Tom Gallon prize. Huw is a Member of Academi.

Reviews:
With respect to Always the Love of Someone (Alcemi, 2010)

"…Crisp, clear and illuminating…"
Emyr Humphreys

"…A range quite unlike anything I have read by a Welsh writer in recent years…"
Meic Stephens


Selected Publications:
Always the Love of Someone (Alcemi, 2010)




Always the Love of Someone (Alcemi, 2010)

Sinister impulses lurk behind Greg's acclaimed portraits of his wife. Mair, an unemployed actress, loves her unemployed husband, but sleeps with a television producer. A divorced couple find themselves staring at reunion. A tramp in a dirty pyjama jacket shares lentil soup with an architect in full view of the neighbourhood. Noi is an escapee Thai 'bride' who learns just how 'different' Britain really is.

As new girls did, she sat on the pier in Pattaya South, a stone's throw from the Notorious Marine Bar. She was lucky, because Roland, who was quite good looking for an older guy, decided to long-time after just three nights with her. Long-timing wasn't easy, neither from the girl's point of view nor the falang's. For the girl it was hard to find. For the falang it often just didn't work out…

Fifteen stories on relationships explore the nuances of class, exile and sexual exploitation; the civilising if intrusive influence of women on men, and the accommodations made necessary by old age. Voices range across gender, age and ethnicity. The tone of Always the Love of Someone is subtly upbeat: as optimistic in spirit as Mike Leigh's Happy Go Lucky.

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