The Long Field

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For readers of H Is for Hawk, this intimate memoir explores themes of belonging and loss while traversing the landscapes and language of Wales. The Welsh word "hiraeth," often inadequately translated as "homesickness," embodies a profound longing for an irretrievable place, person, or time—an acute awareness of absence. Pamela Petro weaves together her own life stories as an American who discovered a deep connection to Wales, as a gay woman, a survivor of a tragic AMTRAK train crash, and the daughter of a parent with dementia. Through her travels and the intertwining of these narratives, the concept of hiraeth expands to encompass not only traditional notions of home but also queer experiences and responses to contemporary issues such as technology, immigration, ecological crises, and divisive politics. This journey transforms hiraeth from a uniquely Welsh sentiment into a universal human condition, highlighting the creative responses to loss that characterize Welsh culture. Ultimately, it serves as a tool for understanding ourselves in the present moment. A finalist for the Wales Book of the Year Award and featured on the Telegraph's and Financial Times's Top 10 travel writing lists, this work offers an unforgettable exploration of the hidden contours of the human heart.