Mud on a Young Boy's Clothes: Growing up in a Welsh town

by Alan Williams, Norris Nuvo

A snapshot of the life of a young boy in a Welsh town in the 60's

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2020

About the author

Alan Emlyn Williams was a journalist and foreign correspondent, reporting from notable hotspots worldwide including Hungary in 1956, Algeria, Vietnam and Northern Ireland. In 1962 he started writing thrillers which brought him the accolade "the natural heir to Ian Fleming" but it was his well-researched spy stories such as The Beria Papers and Gentleman Traitor (which featured real life traitor Kim Philby) which brought him international success.

Reviews

[Helên Tingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an affectionately written memoir that will transport the reader back to 1960s Barry, South Wales, as seen through the eyes of an eleven year old boy. The narrative is nostalgic but not schmaltzy or sugar coated; full of local characters including Alan’s Nan, Mam and extended family. The escapades of young Alan, his friends and their playground enemies reminded me of Bill Naughton’s book of short stories, ‘The Goalkeeper’s Revenge’ which was a favourite of mine as a kid.

The book also serves as a slice of social history in its depiction of a time before our lives were filled with gadgets, smoking bans and indoor bathrooms. Anyone who spent their childhood, unsupervised, building dens, snowmen and Bonfire Night Guys, while saving up pocket money for their weekly comic, pop, crisps and old fashioned sweets, will enjoy this book. It was a lovely read and I was sorry when it came to its wistful end as I would have happily read more.