Emyr Humphreys Book order

A Toy Epic is the story of three boys moving towards the threshold of adult life in the Thirties. From differing backgrounds, their lives cross and touch until they become firm friends.

Exploring the profound impact of parental and filial love, this anthology features a collection of short stories that delve into the lives of characters reflecting on their pasts. The narratives intertwine moments of nostalgia with unexpected events, such as a tranquil dinner disrupted by an escaped prisoner and a couple confronting a corpse from their past. Set against the backdrop of postwar Europe and Wales, these tales offer a deep examination of survival, loss, and the intricate patterns of human relationships across generations.

Exploring the themes of ancestral and cultural heritage, the story follows Bethan Mair Nichols, a passionate young filmmaker whose life is upended by an unexpected legacy. This legacy brings the weight of family and community expectations, prompting her to reevaluate her ambitions and place in the world. With a blend of richness and subtle wit, the narrative is grounded in an ancient Welsh folktale, offering a compassionate and thought-provoking examination of identity and the influence of history on the present.

Hannah Ellis is 35, unmarried, and still living at Y Glyn, the family farm in Wales where she has been brought up by her mother and step-father—a forbidding man with a powerful hold on the neighborhood. Loving her country yet resenting the egotism of her family, she yearns for the return of her long-banished brother Philip, believing that he will rescue her from this bleak existence. Little does Hannah realize that Philip’s arrival is imminent and will herald enormous changes as he unwittingly ignites the passions and strengths of an unusually intertwined community.

Focusing on the elderly experience, this collection delves into the impacts of political, social, and physical change on individuals and society. Emyr Humphreys, an octogenarian author, presents lively and relatable characters who navigate complex issues like asylum-seeking and nationalism in Wales and Europe. The stories offer insights into what aging can contribute to the 21st century while challenging readers with thought-provoking themes. The accessible narrative carries the depth and seriousness characteristic of one of Wales' prominent fiction writers.

In this novel, Peredur defies both his mother's hostility and his brothers' lack of concern to seek out the truth of his father's death and to take part in a protest against the 1969 Investiture that goes violently wrong. Only at the end when Amy Parry faces death can reconciliation be achieved. schovat popis

Exploring themes of delusion, self-knowledge, and the complexities of identity, the novel follows Aled Morgan and his wife as they escape to Tuscany following a family tragedy. Immersed in Etruscan culture, Aled grapples with the superficiality of friendships and the growing distance in his marriage. His journey leads him to a deeper understanding of loss and change, yet upon returning home, he finds himself sadder and more experienced, yet still questioning his own identity.

Emyr Humphreys is a prominent literary figure in Wales, renowned for his work as a poet, novelist, short-story writer, and dramatist. Over a career spanning more than 40 years, he has provided a nuanced interpretation of Welsh-speaking Wales, capturing its essence with empathy while avoiding sentimentality. His diverse body of work reflects the complexities of Welsh culture and identity.

This story of a child named Amy Parry follows her on a journey to maturity, when she will savour to the full the subtle flavours and rich textures of a way of life that has now all but vanished from the Principality of Wales.