Background
He was known to the renowned Welsh novelist Kate Roberts, an early admirer of his work who grew up in the same area.
He was known to the renowned Welsh novelist Kate Roberts, an early admirer of his work who grew up in the same area.
Most of his stories are set in the slate-quarrying communities of his native Caernarfonshire. In a critical article in Taliesin (1962) Kate Roberts criticises the weaknesses in his writing technique, finding his deathbed endings unrealistic and sentimental, and his extensive use of dialogue unnecessary. Moreover, despite the humorous treatment of his characters" eccentricities, she finds them passive in their role in his plots, and therefore unmemorable.
By contrast East. Morgan Humphreys, in his introduction to the stories, praises his concise and disciplined prose, and his ability to reveal character within a few lines, and asserts his seminal role within the development of the Welsh short story.
One of Hughes Williams"s stories, "Year Hogyn Drwg", appeared in English translation by Dafydd Rowlands. There is also a translation of his work by Rob Mimpriss.