Cathedral of the Wild

An African Journey Home

By: Boyd Varty

Narrated by: Boyd Varty

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

“This is a gorgeous, lyrical, hilarious, important book.... Read this and you may find yourself instinctively beginning to heal old wounds: in yourself, in others, and just maybe in the cathedral of the wild that is our true home.” (Martha Beck, author of Finding Your Own North Star)

Boyd Varty had an unconventional upbringing. He grew up on Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa, a place where man and nature strive for balance, where perils exist alongside wonders. Founded more than 80 years ago as a hunting ground, Londolozi was transformed into a nature reserve beginning in 1973 by Varty’s father and uncle, visionaries of the restoration movement. But it wasn’t just a sanctuary for the animals; it was also a place for ravaged land to flourish again and for the human spirit to be restored. When Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment, he came to the reserve to recover.

Cathedral of the Wild is Varty’s memoir of his life in this exquisite and vast refuge. At Londolozi, Varty gained the confidence that emerges from living in Africa. "We came out strong and largely unafraid of life," he writes, "with the full knowledge of its dangers." It was there that young Boyd and his equally adventurous sister learned to track animals, raised leopard and lion cubs, followed their larger-than-life uncle on his many adventures filming wildlife, and became one with the land. Varty survived a harrowing black mamba encounter, a debilitating bout with malaria, even a vicious crocodile attack, but his biggest challenge was a personal crisis of purpose. An intense spiritual quest takes him across the globe and back again - to reconnect with nature and "rediscover the track".

Cathedral of the Wild is a story of transformation that inspires a great appreciation for the beauty and order of the natural world. With conviction, hope, and humor, Varty makes a passionate claim for the power of the wild to restore the human spirit.

Praise for Cathedral of the Wild

“Extremely touching... a book about growth and hope.” (The New York Times)

“It made me cry with its hard-won truths about human and animal nature.... Both funny and deeply moving, this book belongs on the shelf of everyone who seeks healing in wilderness.” (BookPage)

©2014 Boyd Varty (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"This is a gorgeous, lyrical, hilarious, important book. Boyd Varty is as brilliant a storyteller and as kind a companion as you’ll ever meet. He describes a life that has been spent forging a new way of thinking and being, in harmony with both Nature writ large and the human nature that is you. Read this and you may find yourself instinctively beginning to heal old wounds: in yourself, in others, and just maybe in the cathedral of the wild that is our true home." (Martha Beck, author of Finding Your Own North Star)

" Cathedral of the Wild is the captivating story of the joyful, occasionally terrifying, but always interesting life of Boyd Varty. It is also a tale of healing, and of one family’s passion to restore our broken connection to nature. Be prepared to fall in love with Varty, his sister, his parents, his uncle, the ideals they fiercely hold to protect the African bush, and the wild animals and people that surround them. With his campfire wit and poet’s ear, Varty is a wonderful new voice in adventure writing." (Susan Casey, author of The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean)

"[An] intense, insightful memoir that brings together several wise observations about the relationship between nature and humanity.... Varty faces his own trials...leading to a spiritual renewal that elevates this memoir above the usual wilderness narrative." ( Publishers Weekly)

Came for the game, stayed for the philosophy!

Lovely, vivid portrait of growing up in Africa. Profound and touching story of attending the school if hard knocks, also known as life. Glad the author was the voice throughout. Boyd Varty is easy to like.

A smile through and through

As someone who traveled across the world to Africa hoping to find himself, I found this book fantastic. The life journey is extremely relatable for anyone, and the story itself is a remarkable and enjoyable ride. Even with it's sometimes rough subject matter, this book never fails to put a smirk on your face as you get a peek into the lives of one remarkable bush family.

Wow!

Strong stories!
Lots learned!
Lots to apply!
Great people!
Great voice!
LOVE!!!!
Thank you thank you!!!

A love song!

This both sent my soul soaring and broke my heart. It was beautifully narrated by the author.

This book has it all …

- drama
- adventure
- profound insights
- inspiration
- beauty
- sadness
- purpose
- a map to guide your own adventure
- great writing
- beautifully read by the author

Brilliant story...

If you could sum up Cathedral of the Wild in three words, what would they be?

I enjoyed every chapter of this book. Descriptions of the settings, people and animals were well detailed and make me truly feel like I was there. This a fabulous book about a family I'd quite enjoy knowing in person.

Heartwarming and inspiring.

Following the Varty family’s life voyage through the caramel voice of Boydie melted my innermost being. I laughed with him during his wild jaunts, ached during his most dangerous crises and cried at the unfolding discovery of the truth of his being. The family courage and determination thrived in a background of love, tough love and tenderness. I loved every bit. Thank you and go forth with the wildlife corridor!

Touching, Hilarious & Inspirational

What a beautiful story about life not just in the Bush but in general. The realness of it touched my soul and makes me want to be a better person. Thank you Boyd!

Wonderful

Such a great story and told with real humor and sadness, feeling relatable and inspiring. Highly recommend.

Universally Worth Reading

Beautiful true story to reinspire you and wake you up to your true nature and your interconnectedness with all things.