Holy Cow! cover art

Holy Cow!

An Indian Adventure

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About this listen

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 Asia Travel Writing & Commentary Witty Middle East

Critic reviews

"Hilarious and incredible." (B Magazine)

"Kathy Lette meets Tom Robbins on a slow train to Varanasi with Bill Bryson supplying the onion bhajis ... very, very funny." (Peter Moore)

"Prepare for the 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 Magazine)
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Fab book you can really relate to if you visit India. Highly worth the listen.

Fab book you can really relate to if you visit India

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I am going to India for my first visit and this book was recommended as an introduction. It seems to give a good description of the country, the people and the different cultures and religions. I feel I have a better understanding of what to expect from everyday life. There really are a lot of experiences in this book too. A great insight.

Great introduction to India

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It started off so well, thought it was going to be fun, but it was just boring!! I lost the will to live listening to this book, it felt like a very long lesson in Religious instruction

similar to Shantaram? I don't think so!

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A wonderful insight into the chaos of human nature in the chaotic setting of India and its surrounds - you really will laugh, cry, and get goosebumps all over…I sure did. 8Kali

A Heartfelt Tale

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love the authors voice (beautifully brought to life by narrator too) the way she tells it is fast paced witty and palpable.

I love it already and I'm only halfway into chap 1

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