Sarn Helen by Tom Bullough is an adventure through the history and countryside of Wales. It's a beautiful blend of memoir, nature writing, casting its gaze over past, present and future. Bullough takes us on a journey along this famous Roman road, writing in exceptional detail about the landscape and how it has shaped and been shaped by history.
But the book is more than that; it's provides an extended reflection on of the very real changes we now face, ushered in by a rapidly changing climate - extreme weather and the destruction of scenes we know and love. Bullough rightly points out that “we are not asking hard enough questions” about the impacts of these changes on our society, nor how we respond. Through reference to the fluid changes marked in Welsh history the land itself, Bullough impresses upon the reader the importance of observing and remembering that there is always a bigger picture to life.
Interspersed throughout each chapter are discussions Bullough had with university professors about the effects of climate change in the coming years. In one of these climate focused discussions Bullough talks of the ‘cautious optimism’ present in a lot of documentaries and climate related media (we have all seen those pieces that so often start out with hard-hitting truths and imagery but end on a hopeful or pleasant note, allowing the audience to somewhat dispel previous anxieties). Sarn Helen is not a book of cautious optimism. It doesn't shy away from hard realities and encourages us to face them. A devastating note on the 2019 State of Nature report could have been placed at the back of the book. Instead, it is placed at the front - a stark reminder of species loss and ecological deterioration in Wales. Gorgeous illustrations by Jackie Morris guide us into each chapter, serving as a constant reminder of the beauty and threats facing the Welsh countryside and coast.
Growing up in Wales you would think I would have a better knowledge of the country I call home, yet before reading Sarn Helen i knew little of this journey through the nations past. The book is rich with knowledge and I can’t help but feel I am better for having read it. It's a novel absolutely bursting to the brim with knowledge, not only a thoroughly enjoyable read but a truly educational one too. This will be valued by those who wish to learn more about Wales and anyone who enjoys nature writing; particularly honest and raw reflections on the environment.
This message from the end of the book sums up much of the message braided throughout the narrative; “for the natural world to be the first consideration is not, in fact, and despite all appearances, alien to the culture of Wales. Indeed, it is its very heart.”
