Acclaim for Welsh author’s poignant collection
THE Wales Book of the Year 2016 has been named as We Don’t Know What We’re Doing by Thomas Morris.
The author was awarded £4,000 and a specially commissioned trophy designed and created by artist Angharad Pearce Jones for his debut collection of short stories.
Thomas also won the public vote for the Wales Arts Review People’s Choice Award and the Rhys Davies Trust Fiction Award, securing a hat trick of wins.
Set in Caerphilly, We Don’t Know What We’re Doing, published by Faber & Faber, was described by award organisers Literature Wales as “poignant, witty, tender and bizarre”, “offering vivid and moving glimpses of the lost, lonely and bemused.”
It added: “These entertaining stories detail the lives of people who know where they are, but don’t know what they’re doing.”
On behalf of the judging panel, Justin Albert said: “This year’s shortlist consisted of nine outstanding books which highlight the diversity and the breadth of Welsh literature.
“Whether experienced or upcoming, these writers are great talents who have succeeded in proving that Wales is a world-class contributor to literature.”
At the awards ceremony, held in The Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil, on Thursday, Philip Gross was named winner of the Roland Mathias Poetry Award for Love Songs of Carbon (Bloodaxe Books), his 18th poetry collection.
The winner of the Open University in Wales Creative Non-Fiction Award was Jasmine Donahaye for Losing Israel (Seren), about the author’s search for her family’s past and the part her forebears played in the newly created Israel.
The winner of the Welsh-language award was Caryl Lewis for her novel Y Bwthyn (Y Lolfa), a subtle and lyrical story where the mountain and its seasons take centre stage.
The award was presented to Caryl by Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language, Alun Davies. Caryl was also awarded the Welsh-language People’s Choice Award sponsored by Golwg360.
The winner of the Aberystwyth University School of Welsh and Celtic Studies Poetry Award was Mererid Hopwood with Nes Draw (Gwasg Gomer).
Although she is a well-respected and award-winning poet, Nes Draw is Mererid’s first full collection of poems.
The winner of the Open University in Wales Welsh-language Creative Non-Fiction Award was Gruffydd Aled Williams with Dyddiau Olaf Owain Glyndwr (Y Lolfa), a study of the last days of Owain Glyndwr.
Lleucu Siencyn, chief executive of Literature Wales, said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.
“We had a wonderful evening here in Merthyr, and we were delighted to welcome the shortlisted writers and their families to The Redhouse for this celebration of Welsh literature.
“If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to pick up and read these books – a literary feast awaits you.”