Holy Cow!

An Indian Adventure

By: Sarah Macdonald

Narrated by: Kate Hosking

After backpacking her way around India, Sarah Macdonald decides she hates the country with a passion. When a beggar at the airport reads her palm and insists she will one day return - and for love - she screams 'Never!' and gives the country, and him, the finger.

Eleven years later, the prophecy comes true. When the love of Sarah's life is posted to India, she quits her dream job as a national radio presenter to follow him to the most polluted city on earth, New Delhi. It seems like the ultimate sacrifice for love and it almost kills her - literally.

One dank, smoggy night, a naked Sadhu smeared in human ashes curses Sarah and she falls dangerously ill with double pneumonia. She defeats death, not before facing some series questions about her own fragile mortality and inner spiritual void, not to mention some unsightly hair loss. It's enough to drive a rapidly balding atheist to drastic action - in this case a wild journey of discovery through India in search of the meaning of life and death. And with the help of the Dalai Lama, a goddess of healing hugs and a couple of Bollywood stars - among many, many others - Sarah discovers a hell of a lot more.

©2002 Sarah Macdonald. By arrangement with Curtis Brown (Aust) Pty Ltd. (P)2003 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"A lively, snappy travelogue." (Booklist)

"[Macdonald] brings a reporter's curiosity, interviewing skills, and eye for detail to everything she encounters, and winningly captures 'the drama, the dharma, the innocent exuberance of the festivals, the intensity of the living, the piety in playfulness, and the embrace of living day by day'." (Publishers Weekly)

"Prepare for a fast-moving and masterful narration by Kate Hosking. Her characterization of the Indian characters is nuanced and fun. The contrast with the distinctive Australian accents of MacDonald and other ex-pats adds to the sense of adventure and excitement and provides a backdrop for spiritual understanding." (AudioFile)

India--Profound and Profane!

Great narration!!!! Loved the story -- even the icky parts. Provides insight and glimpses about India that only a transplanted Aussie could provide. Loved the descriptions and tales of her varied experiences in pursuit of peace, spiritualism and friendships. A very good story!

Laughing and crying

An insightful journey through India. Laugh out loud funny in spots, poignant in others, and Sarah MacDonald always observant and self knowing.

Great personal insight into India

Excellent account of a personal journey into the heart and soul of India.

I have never been to India

and after listening to this book I will never visit India. The up close and personal experience of the journalist that writes of her experience leaves nothing out and gives the most graphic, accurate account of her time spent there. Because the book was well written, narrated beautifully, I could never and would never visit that country. This should be a heads up for those who might want to travel to this vulguar and nasty country.

Loved it

This was a good listen. The characters are well defined and the main character's journey is fascinating. I would recommend it to a friend.

Fantastic book

I read this book many years ago and decided to re live it via Audible. It was a real treat. Sarah's stories came alive perfectly, Kate Hosking did a fantastic job narrating!! I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good travel story and a good laugh. Thanks Sarah and Kate, you are both awesome.

Very fun book

This book was totally entertaining from beginning to end. Do yourself a favor and get this one. You will not mind being stuck in traffic. The narrator is excellent.

What a brilliantly named book

If you could sum up Holy Cow! in three words, what would they be?

Energetic, ambitious, entertaining

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character told her tale in a way that someone learning of such things for the first time can cope with. Her sense of lightness, humour and the ridiculous, made some unpalatable moments, readable. And below which lay some moments of serious trauma I think.

Which scene was your favorite?

The wedding scene where the foreigners ducked under the table, and the first retreat.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. But it provided me with a snapshot into a mind experiencing a foreign land in a way similar to how I love to embrace new opportunities.

Superb!

Download this one, you will not be disappointed! The book is funny, full of insights, factual, honest and well written.

The author takes you around what she calls India’s spiritual market, and each step is a laugh riot.

This is a trip into Vipashana meditation, Sikhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Islam in Kashmir, Kashmir with guns, Kashmir without guns…Enjoy….

I do not think the narrator got the Indian accent right…but in a country of 100 accents one never knows…

Tottaly Brilliant!

A really interesting and funny look at life in India. I Highly recomend this Book!