Soul Survivor: A Spiritual Quest Through 40 Days and 40 Nights of Mountain Solitude

by Paul Hawker

Join fellow traveller Paul Hawker in 'Soul Survivor', an account of his spiritual pilgrimage to a mountain top in New Zealand. It is a story of how he reclaimed and re-examined his spiritual self and came to a deeper understanding of God.

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1998

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a recurrent motif in New Zealand literature (especially of mid-20th century) of the man alone in the wilderness - in the vernacular it's called 'going bush' - the idea of separating from society to disappear or test your metal against the formidable New Zealand landscape. Soul Survivor, however, gives the motif a different twist, adding in a spiritual quest.

This is the memoir of Paul Hawker, a New Zealander living and working in Australia as a film-maker, who hit his mid-forties and disenchantment, and came back to his young adult stomping ground - the Tararua Ranges - in a bid to reconnect with himself and God during 40 days of solitude.

It's a great read, a little bit Bear Grylls, a little bit Richard Rohr. Very personal but carrying a lot of impacting ideas. Inspirational regarding adventure and opening up to the divine.

[Darleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir drew me in from the very beginning and kept me engaged through the personal narrative of the author's spiritual odyssey and the short quotes in the margins that added depth to the already compelling story of a 40-solitrary retreat in the wilderness. Through Hawker's writing, I had a sense I was there in the mountains, experiencing the cold, natural beauty, and even the encounters with the Divine (my word, not his). I especially like the title (although that was changed in the second edition to Soul Quest). I hope the author considers writing more...I'd be interested to see where his spiritual quest has brought him.

[Kris Theuns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, sometimes painfully so. Moving and engaging quest of middle aged ‘has it all’ . Inspired to listen to God through reading this and ‘walk in the Spirit’.

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recommended by a Quaker friend, found this an interesting read, somewhat inspiring, confirming what I think I already know about the benefits of getting out of my own way, being in silence, being quiet, contemplative and truly peaceful.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good story. Easy to read. Inspiring in places and encouraging in others. NZ-based is a bonus.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has become one of my favourite books to read.