Lost in the Forest

Notes on not belonging from the English countryside

By: Colin Heber-Percy

Narrated by: Colin Heber-Percy

'A message of hope' TLS
'Inspiring' Spectator
'A sumptuous mix of poetry, story and deep philosophical truths' FERGUS BUTLER-GALLIE
'Colin Heber-Percy is a reliable guide' REV RICHARD COLES

This book is a hymn to getting lost. Drawing on his experience as a troubled schoolboy, a burnt-out screenwriter at the BBC, an 'awkward' priest in the Church of England, Colin Heber-Percy reflects on the value of not belonging...

We all share a desire to belong. There's reassurance and safety in knowing who we are and where we fit in. But at significant moments in our lives - a new job, new school or an unexpected change of circumstances - or just in the ruts and routines of everyday life, we can experience a sense of not belonging, of dislocation, of being lost in a forest. But, there is another way to approach these uneasy moments. Rather than fearing the forest, Colin discovers great value and creativity there.

Join parish priest Colin Heber-Percy in an invitation to get lost - to lose the labels society and institutions use to box us in - and to relish the liberation of losing our way in the world. Blending anecdotes from parish life, with philosophy, literature and tales from his local Savernake Forest, Colin argues that there is an overlooked richness, a spirituality and a freedom to be found outside the boundary lines our culture sets for us.

Lost in the Forest is a gentle, funny, and life-affirming trail of crumbs through the woods...©2025 Colin Heber-Percy

Critic reviews

A message of hope

'A moving and profound meditation on the nature of belonging; to communities, to each other, but most of all, to ourselves.' (Richard King)

'This is a magical book. A delightful delve into the world of the forest and all in contains. A sumptuous mix of poetry, story and deep philosophical truths, I thoroughly enjoyed it.' (Fergus Butler-Gallie)

Praise for Colin Heber-Percy:

'Colin Heber-Percy's prose is flowing and he writes amusingly, perceptively and beautifully, especially about the countryside and human frailty.' -- Kate Green ― Country Life

'Insightful... at times immensely funny... well larded, and serves as a reminder of the importance of a good parish priest.' -- Robert Leigh-Pemberton ― Telegraph

'Colin Heber-Percy is a reliable guide' (THE REVEREND RICHARD COLES)

Inspiring

A moving and profound meditation on the nature of belonging; to communities, to each other, but most of all, to ourselves. (Richard King)

This is a magical book. A delightful delve into the world of the forest and all in contains. A sumptuous mix of poetry, story and deep philosophical truths, I thoroughly enjoyed it. (Fergus Butler-Gallie)