Lloyd Jones

has won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. His latest book is The Empty Grandstand.

By this author

Culture October 18, 2025

Across the border

“On TV last night I saw a man with a cigarette in his mouth bend down and dismantle a roadside bomb in Ukraine. The road was grey and the trees dismantled by winter. On world cinema I watched Mads Mikkelsen put a hunting knife through one of the two men …”

Culture September 28, 2024

Grass

“He became more serene but as righteous as ever as he discharged information on blade maintenance. His overalls were neatly ironed. His face a polished brown. The rest of his body was pure white. A shock to see whenever he came out of the shower. The two-toned …”

Culture January 18, 2025

Breaking into buildings at night

“The first time, I followed him down the side of an old building, then up an old fire escape. The door on the first floor was unlocked. With his hand still on the doorknob, my cousin looked searchingly into a room the way a boss might. He gave a nod, and …”

Culture November 20, 2021

Desert Motel

“I sprinkle food into the aquarium. It is a delicate job. One fish died last week, and that was unfortunate. It floated to the surface at a pathetic tilt, its disappointed mouth open. I used a coffee cup to lift it out and lay it on a table napkin borrowed …”