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Lost in the Forest: Notes on not belonging from the English countryside
From country vicar and author of Indie Bookshop bestseller Tales of a Country Parish
This is a book that champions the merits of getting lost. Drawing on his own experience, from a troubled schoolboy to a burnt-out screenwriter at the BBC, to an 'awkward' priest in the Church of England, Colin Heber-Percy reflects on the value of not belonging...
Many of us have a desire to belong. There's reassurance and safety in knowing who we are and where we fit in. But it is only in the significant moments of life - a new job, school or unexpected life event - where we experience the feeling of not belonging, and it can often feel like we are lost or out at sea in the world. But rather than fearing these moments, Colin discovers that there's profound and creative value in feeling lost.
Join parish priest Colin Heber- Percy in an invitation to get lost - to lose the labels from society and institutions that box us in - and to experience a the liberation of being lost in the woods. Combining vignettes and anecdotes from parish life, with philosophy, literature and tales from his local Savernake Forest, Colin argues that there is an often overlooked richness and a freedom to be found outside the boundary lines set out for us.
Lost in the Forest is a gentle, funny, and life-affirming exploration of how we lose and find ourselves.
Maps are useful. But there's wisdom in getting lost.
This is a book that champions the merits of getting lost. Drawing on his own experience, from a troubled schoolboy to a burnt-out screenwriter at the BBC, to an 'awkward' priest in the Church of England, Colin Heber-Percy reflects on the value of not belonging...
Many of us have a desire to belong. There's reassurance and safety in knowing who we are and where we fit in. But it is only in the significant moments of life - a new job, school or unexpected life event - where we experience the feeling of not belonging, and it can often feel like we are lost or out at sea in the world. But rather than fearing these moments, Colin discovers that there's profound and creative value in feeling lost.
Join parish priest Colin Heber- Percy in an invitation to get lost - to lose the labels from society and institutions that box us in - and to experience a the liberation of being lost in the woods. Combining vignettes and anecdotes from parish life, with philosophy, literature and tales from his local Savernake Forest, Colin argues that there is an often overlooked richness and a freedom to be found outside the boundary lines set out for us.
Lost in the Forest is a gentle, funny, and life-affirming exploration of how we lose and find ourselves.
Maps are useful. But there's wisdom in getting lost.
- GenresNonfictionNatureMemoir
288 pages, Hardcover
Published February 27, 2025
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117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 15, 2025
The book:
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.
My thoughts:
The body, the home, school, work… where do we belong? In “Lost in the Forest”, the latest book by Colin Heber-Percy (author of “Tales of a Country Parish”), the author takes a walk in the woods to puzzle over this question…
Heber-Percy is the parish priest for Savernake in Wiltshire, and the chapters of the book are named for the oak trees he encounters during his regular walks in Savernake Forest, a truly ancient place. As I stated reading, I thought these names were the author’s own invention, but I learned that in fact the notable oaks of the forest have been named by the Forestry Commission (based on historic connections, location, appearance…), with plaques to inform those who come across them in their wanderings.
“Sturdy, green-painted wooden signs give the names of the famous oaks in Savernake Forest. Some of the oaks are named for their situations, so Crockmere Oak stands beside Crockmere Pool. Others are named for personages: Marie-Louise, King Oak, Queen Oak, Duke’s Vaunt. And others are descriptive of the tree itself: Old Paunchy, Spiral, Green-Fluted Oak, and so on.”
The author ties each of these venerable and ancient trees to a point and place in his life, as he shares his thinking on the nature of belonging (and lack of belonging) we all experience in life. Drawing on sources and memories (from the bible to Iggy Pop), his writing is beautiful and encourages you to think deeply, but is also punctuated with humour; making this both an illuminating and also surprisingly easy book to read.
In one chapter, in which Heber-Percy speaks about his years in an English boarding school, he describes an encounter with a maths teacher who emphasised the need for him to write his numbers within the gridlines of his workbook. But Heber-Percy seems to be someone not meant to keep his writing in a box, and this book is entertaining and thought-provoking as a result.
“…sometimes it’s better to be lost than to know exactly where you are.”
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.
My thoughts:
The body, the home, school, work… where do we belong? In “Lost in the Forest”, the latest book by Colin Heber-Percy (author of “Tales of a Country Parish”), the author takes a walk in the woods to puzzle over this question…
Heber-Percy is the parish priest for Savernake in Wiltshire, and the chapters of the book are named for the oak trees he encounters during his regular walks in Savernake Forest, a truly ancient place. As I stated reading, I thought these names were the author’s own invention, but I learned that in fact the notable oaks of the forest have been named by the Forestry Commission (based on historic connections, location, appearance…), with plaques to inform those who come across them in their wanderings.
“Sturdy, green-painted wooden signs give the names of the famous oaks in Savernake Forest. Some of the oaks are named for their situations, so Crockmere Oak stands beside Crockmere Pool. Others are named for personages: Marie-Louise, King Oak, Queen Oak, Duke’s Vaunt. And others are descriptive of the tree itself: Old Paunchy, Spiral, Green-Fluted Oak, and so on.”
The author ties each of these venerable and ancient trees to a point and place in his life, as he shares his thinking on the nature of belonging (and lack of belonging) we all experience in life. Drawing on sources and memories (from the bible to Iggy Pop), his writing is beautiful and encourages you to think deeply, but is also punctuated with humour; making this both an illuminating and also surprisingly easy book to read.
In one chapter, in which Heber-Percy speaks about his years in an English boarding school, he describes an encounter with a maths teacher who emphasised the need for him to write his numbers within the gridlines of his workbook. But Heber-Percy seems to be someone not meant to keep his writing in a box, and this book is entertaining and thought-provoking as a result.
“…sometimes it’s better to be lost than to know exactly where you are.”
March 6, 2025
I adored reading this beautiful book and I don’t feel that my review will do it justice. You really need to read it!
Colin Heber-Percy is a master story teller. Weaving stories of his life with nature and deep philosophical truths, he searches for answers to the question and nature of belonging.
His words are exquisite and statements full of an abundance of wisdom. We journey with him into Savernake Forest as he searches for the nature and meaning of what it is to belong.
During our lives we may often feel that we don’t belong or that we don’t fit in. This can lead us to feel ostracised and alone.
In this book Colin explores the forest. Naming certain trees, each one a metaphor for a space or a place. Identifying those places of where he felt he didn’t belong or felt lost. Each exploration revealing truths to remind us that not belonging or being lost can actually be valuable.
Through the book Colin uses his favourite book, The Bible on his journey. Sharing scripture verses to accompany his writing. Having a knowledge of the Bible and scripture I felt enhanced my reading of the text but it was certainly not a requisite for enjoying it.
If you have ever felt lost or that you don’t belong I would encourage you to read this book. Full of humour, honesty and wisdom this book was a delight to read.
Colin Heber-Percy is a master story teller. Weaving stories of his life with nature and deep philosophical truths, he searches for answers to the question and nature of belonging.
His words are exquisite and statements full of an abundance of wisdom. We journey with him into Savernake Forest as he searches for the nature and meaning of what it is to belong.
During our lives we may often feel that we don’t belong or that we don’t fit in. This can lead us to feel ostracised and alone.
In this book Colin explores the forest. Naming certain trees, each one a metaphor for a space or a place. Identifying those places of where he felt he didn’t belong or felt lost. Each exploration revealing truths to remind us that not belonging or being lost can actually be valuable.
Through the book Colin uses his favourite book, The Bible on his journey. Sharing scripture verses to accompany his writing. Having a knowledge of the Bible and scripture I felt enhanced my reading of the text but it was certainly not a requisite for enjoying it.
If you have ever felt lost or that you don’t belong I would encourage you to read this book. Full of humour, honesty and wisdom this book was a delight to read.
May 21, 2025
Second books, like second albums, are never easy, but Colin Heber-Percy, an accomplished screenwriter before he became an author and priest, has dodged all the usual pitfalls and written an even better book than his debut, Tales of a Country Parish, which was a pretty good read. At its heart, Lost in the Forest has an unsettlingly counter-intuitive theme for a parish priest, often a central figure in the community: it’s ok not to belong. In fact, he argues, there are enormous benefits to stepping outside the taxonomies and boundaries that society can often impose. The pressure to fit in can be detrimental and excluding, he says, citing his own difficult time at school and even his occasional discomfort in the institutional world of the Church of England (Synods are clearly not for him.)
Colin persuasively posits the many benefits of losing one’s way in life, or at least the labels that society likes to apply to us, drawing on his own background in philosophy to marshall some pretty hefty supporters (Heraclitus anyone?). It’s all done with a deft lightness of touch, however, and set against Colin’s daily rambles in his local and much beloved Savernake Forest. Each chapter is dedicated to a different one of the forest’s mighty oaks, giving the book an essential structure that belies the gentle chaos that Colin so eloquently advocates.
The book is full of erudition, humour, warmth and some intimate family scenes. (In the acknowledgements, he confesses that he might have occasionally over-shared, but such moments give the book its honest heart.) There’s a fair amount of religion in the mix too, as you’d expect, but it’s never overwhelming. Perhaps the biggest pleasure for the non-religious reader is Colin’s enviable nature writing, which is, at times, up there with Robert Macfarlane’s. Pussy willows are glimpsed as “smudges of green through the stiff arcades of beeches and chestnuts and oaks”; he stops to listen to the “dense polyrhythm of falling conkers, acorns and beech nuts”. We meet some fascinating characters along the way too: John the bellow maker who writes words – about the first cuckoo, perhaps, or soaring buzzards – on the inside of the bellow’s wooden boards, words that will never be seen again. Thankfully, Colin has chosen to share his own words more widely, in a lyrical book that lingers long after the reading.
Colin persuasively posits the many benefits of losing one’s way in life, or at least the labels that society likes to apply to us, drawing on his own background in philosophy to marshall some pretty hefty supporters (Heraclitus anyone?). It’s all done with a deft lightness of touch, however, and set against Colin’s daily rambles in his local and much beloved Savernake Forest. Each chapter is dedicated to a different one of the forest’s mighty oaks, giving the book an essential structure that belies the gentle chaos that Colin so eloquently advocates.
The book is full of erudition, humour, warmth and some intimate family scenes. (In the acknowledgements, he confesses that he might have occasionally over-shared, but such moments give the book its honest heart.) There’s a fair amount of religion in the mix too, as you’d expect, but it’s never overwhelming. Perhaps the biggest pleasure for the non-religious reader is Colin’s enviable nature writing, which is, at times, up there with Robert Macfarlane’s. Pussy willows are glimpsed as “smudges of green through the stiff arcades of beeches and chestnuts and oaks”; he stops to listen to the “dense polyrhythm of falling conkers, acorns and beech nuts”. We meet some fascinating characters along the way too: John the bellow maker who writes words – about the first cuckoo, perhaps, or soaring buzzards – on the inside of the bellow’s wooden boards, words that will never be seen again. Thankfully, Colin has chosen to share his own words more widely, in a lyrical book that lingers long after the reading.
March 28, 2025
First of all, I must offer my huge apologies for the very late review, my fault entirely.
Next, I must say what an absolutely wonderful read this was. Colin expertly weaves his own personal life experiences, with philosophy and beautiful aspects of nature, in order to find his true self and to take a deep look at, and to question the very nature of belonging.
To aid him, Colin uses The Bible and stares verses from scripture to accompany his writing. Being a practicing Catholic, and familiar with The Bible, I felt comforted by the scripture verses as I reas along. But for me, you don't need to be religious to read and enjoy this book.
Colin Is a parish priest in Savernake in Wiltshire, and on his regular walks in the ancient forest there, he encounters many, just as ancient, oak trees. To these majestic trees he couples with a point in his life, and he shares he thoughts on nature and belonging, or in fact, lack of belonging. The result being a thought-provoking, intelligent and entertaining read.
The writing is excuisite, the pacing gentle, with a calm, satisfying flow.
If you've ever felt you didn't belong, this is a real must read.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Next, I must say what an absolutely wonderful read this was. Colin expertly weaves his own personal life experiences, with philosophy and beautiful aspects of nature, in order to find his true self and to take a deep look at, and to question the very nature of belonging.
To aid him, Colin uses The Bible and stares verses from scripture to accompany his writing. Being a practicing Catholic, and familiar with The Bible, I felt comforted by the scripture verses as I reas along. But for me, you don't need to be religious to read and enjoy this book.
Colin Is a parish priest in Savernake in Wiltshire, and on his regular walks in the ancient forest there, he encounters many, just as ancient, oak trees. To these majestic trees he couples with a point in his life, and he shares he thoughts on nature and belonging, or in fact, lack of belonging. The result being a thought-provoking, intelligent and entertaining read.
The writing is excuisite, the pacing gentle, with a calm, satisfying flow.
If you've ever felt you didn't belong, this is a real must read.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
August 4, 2025
Here I am again trying to write a passage about a very beautiful poet yet scary topic.
Who am I?
Colin was able to narrate us through the complexities of life in a personal and honest was with himself and readers.
A beautiful story looking back through life, of friends, family, bullies and even some 17th century remains, Colin navigated this with purpose.
From visiting the oaks of Savenake and our dog Pepper getting lost in the forest I’m sure she found herself and was able to answer who she was.
Quote, pg 36.
We might share electricity, water, certain genetic traits, our homes and our time together, but we share something else, something fundamental: our sense of not belonging, if brokenness, of falling on the outside. When push comes to shove, we all are that woman at the end of the ward, asking, “who am I”.
Beautiful Colin
Who am I?
Colin was able to narrate us through the complexities of life in a personal and honest was with himself and readers.
A beautiful story looking back through life, of friends, family, bullies and even some 17th century remains, Colin navigated this with purpose.
From visiting the oaks of Savenake and our dog Pepper getting lost in the forest I’m sure she found herself and was able to answer who she was.
Quote, pg 36.
We might share electricity, water, certain genetic traits, our homes and our time together, but we share something else, something fundamental: our sense of not belonging, if brokenness, of falling on the outside. When push comes to shove, we all are that woman at the end of the ward, asking, “who am I”.
Beautiful Colin
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews