Book Review: Hiraeth by Dan Morgan

Reviewed by Shelby Zwintscher

A sincere and heartfelt memoir of finding oneself beyond labels and circumstances

Have you ever felt a bottomless yearning for home, be it a house, a bygone era of your life, a person? That feeling that goes beyond homesick nostalgia, for something that no longer exists? That’s hiraeth.

Hiraeth: The Voice of Home is a memoir that recounts and reflects on the moments of Dan Morgan’s hiraeth throughout his life. From understanding his sexuality to battling addiction to life as a scrappy comedian, Morgan shares a lifetime of memories that were spent finding a place to belong.

Morgan grew up in Philadelphia, PA in his quiet uncle’s home, where he wasn’t permitted to consider it his own home or get too comfortable in it. He lived constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, his mother convinced they would be kicked out if they so much as breathed wrong, his father a disabled alcoholic addicted to painkillers, unable to provide for his family in the way that was expected in that era.

Hiraeth: The Voice of Home follows Morgan from his childhood of bringing his dad home from the bar to his tumultuous, adventurous life of frequent cross-country moves and odd jobs. It follows the insecurity that he endured as not only a gay man, but as a person unmoored by his decisions. It’s a journey through addiction, uncertainty, and connection with others, both of the meaningful and meaningless sorts.

“In many ways, we are not unique. This glimpse into my history and experience is my offering to you. I hope that you, the reader, find strength and hope from my experience. On the outside, we may seem quite different, but we have more in common than it seems on the surface.”

The range of stories about Morgan’s life and circumstances are compelling on their own, but they are embellished by the tonal range, from casual humor to carefully reflective. I found myself either chuckling at side quips, like a parenthetical apology to anyone he gave financial advice to, or tearing up at the emotional anecdotes, like the final chapters dedicated to his parents.

Hiraeth also takes care to provide educational info when appropriate, including a brief history on Philadelphia, “Pennsylvania Dutch,” and Roller Derby to name a few. This is a pleasant addition, as it highlights Morgan’s passion behind not only the things and places he loves but his excitement behind sharing them with others.

This memoir feels like a conversation over a cup of coffee. It’s the kind of chat with a friend that has lasted hours longer than you intended, because you were both caught up in it. The story ebbs and flows through topics ranging from tales of bizarre coincidences to mental health, all while maintaining a companionable tone, but not losing depth and vulnerability.

Hiraeth: The Voice of Home will leave you feeling hopeful, reflective, and intensely human. It’s a culmination of the beautifully rocky range of stories and moments that make up one man’s life and help define him.

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