Home to an Empty House

Alun Morgan Richards was born in Pontypridd in 1929. He wrote six novels from 1962 to 1979 and two scintillating collections of short stories, Dai Country(1973) and The Former Miss Merthyr Tydfil (1976). Plays for stage and radio were complemented by original screenplays and adaptations for television, including BBC's Onedin Line. As an editor, he produced best-selling editions of Welsh short stories and tales of the sea for Penguin. His sensitive biography of his close friend, Carwyn James, appeared in 1984 and his own entrancing memoir Days of Absencein 1986.

"The success of this landmark series has been phenomenal - in terms of sales, public and media interest and the sheer quality of the books. These achievements are testimony to the growth and development of English-language publishing in Wales, as backed by the Welsh Books Council with the support of the Welsh Assembly Governemnt. The Library of Wales series is an intrinsic part of the current resurgence of Welsh writing in English. After years of neglect, the future for Welsh writing in English - both classics and new writing - looks very promising indeed." --Professor M. Wynn Thomas, Chairman of the Welsh Books Council"A crackling and sizzling read... full of life... of character and vitality," --The Sunday Times"His people are real, rounded and running over with life... brilliance." --Daily Telegraph