Local Fires by Jones is an entertaining, poignant, and memorable read. There’s something special about reading a collection from a local writer—one who references familiar places and explores overlooked issues. The book is a series of short stories, some extremely brief and almost vignette-like, yet they resonate with depth and meaning.
Inspired by Llanelli, these stories are interconnected and interwoven with meaning. Characters reappear, situations echo each other, and together they sketch a vivid portrait of life on the margins. Many of the stories balance on a knife-edge between dark humour and something more tragic, set against a backdrop that veers from bleak to comical.
High stakes, high-emotion, these stories also have moments of redemption and queer joy.
One standout sequence involves the opening of a fireworks shop, an event that stirs up old rivalries and long-buried emotions in the community: the story is almost Dickensian in its ability to stir up sympathy for the cutthroat world of commerce on small high streets. Scenes like this ground the collection in real emotional stakes while also hinting at broader social tensions. Another particularly poignant story follows a young man being questioned for arson: what else is there to do? The question echoes from the page.
Jones captures fleeting moments of everyday life with sharp insight, often weaving in subtle commentary on issues like housing inequality and deprivation. Despite the heavy subject matter, the stories are accessible and layered with universal truths. Visceral bodily truths intersect with clever social commentary.
Ultimately, Local Fires “tastes like life”.
One word: simmering.
Leave a Comment