Holy Cow by Sarah Macdonald

I wrote this post right after I read this book, i. e. a very long time ago. I will use it as my first in a long time to publish so it will get me back into the mood for some more writing.

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I will start with one of her final quotes before I begin, because it stayed with me long after I finished the book...........'When one loses the deep intimate relationship with nature then temples, mosques and churches become important'. She was quoting Jiddu Krishnamurti here.

I must say I have read so many books about India by Indians and never felt the connection I did as I listened to this book on my trips to and from work. I infact enjoyed this book more than Shantaram (by Gregory David Roberts, coincidentally another Aussie writing about his life in India)!

Sarah Macdonald is Australian by birth and an atheist. She is fascinated by the ability of Indians to co-exist peacefully in spite of their various religious practices. This book is a tribute to the many religions and cultures embraced by current day India. She writes about her travels from New Delhi to Pondicherry and from Kashmir to White Field, in a sincere quest to understand religious diversity. She meets followers of Buddhism, Jainism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism and Sufism. She even includes in her quest other aspects of modern day India's culture, such as Rajneesh, Mata Amritaanandamayi, Sai Baba, and even Bollywood! All the while she writes with alacrity and perfect comic timing.

I wish there were more authors such as her, who can analyze real time issues, with a sense of purpose but at the same time the ability to make the reader smile the whole way. A great travelogue!