What do you think?
Rate this book
Chauntecleer the Rooster #1
The Book of the Dun Cow
Walter Wangerin, Jr. The Book of the Dun Cow. New York: Harper & Row, 1978. First edition. Octavo. 241 pages.
Winner of the American Book Award, Walter Wangerin's allegorial fantasy concerns a time when the sun turned around the earth and animals could speak, when Chauntecleer the Rooster ruled over a more or less peaceful kingdom. What the animals did not know was that they were the Keeper of Wyrm, monster of Evil long imprisoned beneath the earth. And Wyrm, sub terra, was breaking free.
241 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
428 people are currently reading
6243 people want to read
About the author
Walter Wangerin Jr.
98 books233 followersWalter Wangerin Jr. is widely recognized as one of the most gifted writers writing today on the issues of faith and spirituality. Starting with the renowned Book of the Dun Cow, Wangerin's writing career has encompassed most every genre: fiction, essay, short story, children's story, meditation, and biblical exposition. His writing voice is immediately recognizable, and his fans number in the millions. The author of over forty books, Wangerin has won the National Book Award, New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year Award, and several Gold Medallions, including best-fiction awards for both The Book of God and Paul: A Novel. He lives in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he is Senior Research Professor at Valparaiso University.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 832 reviews
August 27, 2015
This unique book, written in 1978, is grisly, gritty, earthy, painful, and beautiful. I have never read anything like this book before. It is a creation of great courage. Wangerin has taken stark good and evil and played them out in an almost predictable manner, unafraid of arrangements that could be called clichéd, trite, childish, overused. He uses mythology freely. It might at first seem hopelessly dated; rather, it is hopefully dated, it is searingly modern, it is genuinely classic and therefore timeless. It is a Medieval morality play, characters sharply drawn, clean-cut bestial caricatures—but they are fully human. It is in the diction of the Old Testament. Full of talking animals, a small-scale realm unto itself, an epic of good-and-evil with Homeric battles, virtues and vices embodied in fur, noses, claws, wings, beaks…, great geo-political problems ensconced in a farmyard or forest. The creatures are real, three-dimensional, lovable and complex. The battles are heart-breaking, as bloody and horrific as those before the walls of Troy, yet the combatants are ants, sheep, rabbits, a dog, a weasel, against basilisks.
The diction has the weight of the Prophets, the phrases the tone of another world. Humour, suffering, courage, and profound meaning are couched in the very words of this brilliantly written book. It is a novel unlike any other, and you must read it, read every word, to understand and know what words can do.
The diction has the weight of the Prophets, the phrases the tone of another world. Humour, suffering, courage, and profound meaning are couched in the very words of this brilliantly written book. It is a novel unlike any other, and you must read it, read every word, to understand and know what words can do.
February 17, 2022
For the full 5 stars listen to the Paul Michael audiobook.
Great companion reading to The Canterbury Tales. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end.
Great companion reading to The Canterbury Tales. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end.
August 17, 2016
The Canterbury Tales meets John Bunyan, with a dash of Animal Farm. Although this is a sort of parable, the tale rises above and beyond that. I found this hard to put down.
June 30, 2007
A beast-fable, about good vs. evil. A cock named Chauntecleer is the ruler of the animals. Cosmic evil is embodied as Wyrm, who lives "sub terra," and whose son Cockatrice (a half-cock half-serpent) and his "children" (the basilisks) wage war against Chauntecleer's kingdom. Mundo Cani Dog ends up giving his life (or so it seems) to save Chauntecleer and the others, and this act of grace makes Chauntecleer see his own sinfulness (he had despised Mundo Cani). Mundo Cani turns out to still be alive, under the earth, and we have to wait until the sequel (The Book of Sorrows) to find out what happens to him. The Dun Cow doesn't seem to have a very big role in the story, but she shows up whenever things get dire, and her silent presence gives the animals hope. Mundo Cani Dog is kind of a Christ figure, mixed with a heavy dose of Eeyore-like gloominess. This is really Chauntecleer's story from beginning to end, as he develops into the leader he was called to be. The book is filled with biblical and literary allusions. Many of the characters are based on Chaucer's "The Nun's Priest's Tale" and/or Reynard the Fox. Themes in the book include: self-sacrifice, the loneliness of leadership, the power to choose good over evil, and the importance of doing so. Wangerin is a master at character development. The beasts in his fable all have wonderful quirks and individual ways of talking. They are all difficult to get along with in their own ways, and yet lovable. A very apt depiction of what we are all like in community with each other with our sinfulness.
December 4, 2021
Occasionally there comes a book that everyone else — my friends, my colleagues, my family — seems to love. But I find the book worth little more than a shrug. Such is The Book of the Dun Cow.
The novel tells the story of Chanticleer, a rooster, and the animals under his rule. When strange events occur around the coop, rumors emerge about a dark, scaly force emerging from the deep.
Aaaaand, I didn't get it. The blurb plumps it as a battle for the ages. Chanticleer vs. Wyrm! Innocence vs. Violence! Good vs. Evil! The only problem was this: the storytelling isn't good. The narration is choppy, the characterization thin, the medieval allusions flat. Yes, the book won a Pulitzer and is consider a fantasy classic. But I trudged through it for the sake of Close Reads (podcast)(https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...).
But I can't recommend it.
The novel tells the story of Chanticleer, a rooster, and the animals under his rule. When strange events occur around the coop, rumors emerge about a dark, scaly force emerging from the deep.
Aaaaand, I didn't get it. The blurb plumps it as a battle for the ages. Chanticleer vs. Wyrm! Innocence vs. Violence! Good vs. Evil! The only problem was this: the storytelling isn't good. The narration is choppy, the characterization thin, the medieval allusions flat. Yes, the book won a Pulitzer and is consider a fantasy classic. But I trudged through it for the sake of Close Reads (podcast)(https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...).
But I can't recommend it.
January 19, 2021
More than mere animal fantasy like Redwall. More than moral fable like Aesop. Animal Farm is closer kin, but Animal Farm is still fable. Wangerin, Jr. has borrowed pages from classic beast-fables and medieval bestiaries and formed them into an epic.
The Book of the Dun Cow starts soothingly, using familiar tropes to orient the reader, but as pages turn (and the rain comes down) and stakes get higher (and the rain comes down) and the power of evil grows in the distance, critical information is locked behind trauma, crucial communication hampered by pride and awkwardness (and all the while the hellish infested river is rising). The opening pages might lead one to suspect that this is a book to read aloud to young children; I'd give it a few more years, or at least read it yourself all the way through first.
Most surprising to me was how gently Wangerin, Jr. treats the foibles and flaws and ugly self-serving mistakes of his characters. These things are faced boldly, neither explained away nor judged; the manner of narrative is almost priestly, in the best possible sense of the word. Even as he shapes an epic conflict between Good and Evil, Wangerin, Jr. continuously reminds the reader that there is only one Enemy here.
Its name is Wyrm.
Metaphysically, The Book of the Dun Cow exists somewhere between Watership Down, a retelling of the Aeneid with rabbits and all but absent of gods, and Tailchaser's Song, in which the cat-gods still roam the earth. There is Wyrm, a hideously enfleshed yet protocosmic being; and there is God, a divine force for good, physically absent but lightly involved in a way reminiscent of the Creator in Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant Chronicles. The best evidence for divine intervention in the world of the Dun Cow are the animals themselves, and the commonplace gifts they've held all along.
For in those days the earth, being made of heavy matter, was still lodged in the low point at the center of the universe. The Keepers of the corrupt Wyrm (imprisoned and endlessly gnawing at the core of the world) are the Animals, led by the Rooster-Lords whose crows mark the hours and give order to the day. But the Keepers do not know their office. And Wyrm is trying to get out.
The Book of the Dun Cow starts soothingly, using familiar tropes to orient the reader, but as pages turn (and the rain comes down) and stakes get higher (and the rain comes down) and the power of evil grows in the distance, critical information is locked behind trauma, crucial communication hampered by pride and awkwardness (and all the while the hellish infested river is rising). The opening pages might lead one to suspect that this is a book to read aloud to young children; I'd give it a few more years, or at least read it yourself all the way through first.
Most surprising to me was how gently Wangerin, Jr. treats the foibles and flaws and ugly self-serving mistakes of his characters. These things are faced boldly, neither explained away nor judged; the manner of narrative is almost priestly, in the best possible sense of the word. Even as he shapes an epic conflict between Good and Evil, Wangerin, Jr. continuously reminds the reader that there is only one Enemy here.
Its name is Wyrm.
Metaphysically, The Book of the Dun Cow exists somewhere between Watership Down, a retelling of the Aeneid with rabbits and all but absent of gods, and Tailchaser's Song, in which the cat-gods still roam the earth. There is Wyrm, a hideously enfleshed yet protocosmic being; and there is God, a divine force for good, physically absent but lightly involved in a way reminiscent of the Creator in Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant Chronicles. The best evidence for divine intervention in the world of the Dun Cow are the animals themselves, and the commonplace gifts they've held all along.
For in those days the earth, being made of heavy matter, was still lodged in the low point at the center of the universe. The Keepers of the corrupt Wyrm (imprisoned and endlessly gnawing at the core of the world) are the Animals, led by the Rooster-Lords whose crows mark the hours and give order to the day. But the Keepers do not know their office. And Wyrm is trying to get out.
October 23, 2018
Chauntecleer The Rooster!!
This is a fav book, one which took me by surprise. Animal Farm, sure. Watership Down, sure. But this was an accident to my collection and such a happy accident it has been. A fantasy allegory of good and evil, I loved all the characters. Everything fits together and the comic interplay between the "office" of animals (that's what it reminded me of) kept it all rolling along.
The earth had a face, then: smiling blue and green and gold and gentle, or frowning in furious gouts of black thunder. But it was a face, and that's where the animals lived, on the surface of it.
The leader of this menagerie is Chauntecleer, the Rooster who keeps his crew under control. He and his fellow animals inhabit the earth, there to protect against evil (humans have yet to appear). In another nearby kingdom, another rooster is seduced by the malicious murmurings of Wyrm the Evil and the resulting chaos causes migrations and disruption. Mundo Cani the Dog and the heavenly Dun Cow feature prominently, as the Good Ones defend themselves against Wyrm and his Stalin-esque son, Cockatrice.
Yes, this is an allegory of human nature, but Wangerin doesn't hit the reader over the head with philosophy. Our rooster hero is not John Wayne; he has doubts and makes mistakes, just like us. There's a bit of Tolkien here and the initial goodwill becomes tenuous when the struggle becomes prominent. I certainly enjoyed it, as I also liked the sequel, The Book Of Sorrows, though the second tome is gloomier.
Book Season = Autumn (respect the rooster)
This is a fav book, one which took me by surprise. Animal Farm, sure. Watership Down, sure. But this was an accident to my collection and such a happy accident it has been. A fantasy allegory of good and evil, I loved all the characters. Everything fits together and the comic interplay between the "office" of animals (that's what it reminded me of) kept it all rolling along.
The earth had a face, then: smiling blue and green and gold and gentle, or frowning in furious gouts of black thunder. But it was a face, and that's where the animals lived, on the surface of it.
The leader of this menagerie is Chauntecleer, the Rooster who keeps his crew under control. He and his fellow animals inhabit the earth, there to protect against evil (humans have yet to appear). In another nearby kingdom, another rooster is seduced by the malicious murmurings of Wyrm the Evil and the resulting chaos causes migrations and disruption. Mundo Cani the Dog and the heavenly Dun Cow feature prominently, as the Good Ones defend themselves against Wyrm and his Stalin-esque son, Cockatrice.
Yes, this is an allegory of human nature, but Wangerin doesn't hit the reader over the head with philosophy. Our rooster hero is not John Wayne; he has doubts and makes mistakes, just like us. There's a bit of Tolkien here and the initial goodwill becomes tenuous when the struggle becomes prominent. I certainly enjoyed it, as I also liked the sequel, The Book Of Sorrows, though the second tome is gloomier.
Book Season = Autumn (respect the rooster)
December 12, 2018
I'd love to have overheard the conversation between Walt Wangerin Jr. and his editor after the editor first read the manuscript for Dun Cow. Were there comments about market research, about finding an audience or connecting with readers? Did the editor declare that no one would understand the book, that they'd never sell more than a few copies? Was he frustrated over his inability to compare the book with other popular books? (The snippet of an LA Times review that says Dun Cow should be on the shelf beside The Lord of the Rings is foolishness.) Did he attempt to shape the book into something it was not?
I'm not sure. What is more certain, whatever doubts were expressed by the editor, Walt met them calmly. He was confident, and his confidence is what makes this bizarre, impossible story work. As a reader, I don't know what's happening. I've never seen anything like it before, yet I can't help but laugh with delight as I'm tumbled along by the overwhelming conviction of the narrative voice.
I often think that readers don't know what they want until you give it to them. That holds true for The Book of the Dun Cow. I didn't know I wanted it until Walt said, in so many words, "Sit down and hush. You're gonna love this."
I'm not sure. What is more certain, whatever doubts were expressed by the editor, Walt met them calmly. He was confident, and his confidence is what makes this bizarre, impossible story work. As a reader, I don't know what's happening. I've never seen anything like it before, yet I can't help but laugh with delight as I'm tumbled along by the overwhelming conviction of the narrative voice.
I often think that readers don't know what they want until you give it to them. That holds true for The Book of the Dun Cow. I didn't know I wanted it until Walt said, in so many words, "Sit down and hush. You're gonna love this."
August 1, 2016
I was not prepared for what this book ( featuring a talking rooster) would do to my poor heart. The best battle scene I have ever read, sorrow to match King David's, the putrid nature of sin, the glories of our little efforts in the war against the flesh and the devil, the comfort of the Holy Spirit..... No, I'm not overdoing it. Truly, it's all here in this incredible book.
October 18, 2020
As close to perfection as an epic fable medieval romance humorous novel with talking animals can get.
November 11, 2018
Book Club this month decided that we would all choose a former National Book Award winner. I decided to pick the weirdest thing on the list, and a story inspired by Chaucer where farm animals unite to defeat evil, seemed like the right choice. It was a fun departure from my comfort zone. It did feel a bit too clever at times, which took me out of the story a bit, but overall, I’m glad that I gave it a chance. It even left me with enough of a cliffhanger that I’ll read the next book in the series.
August 27, 2025
I was not prepared to have my heart broken by a book about chickens.
did-not-finish
December 26, 2020This is a novel I tried reading to my wife in the mid-80s; but neither of us were getting into it at all, so we soon abandoned it. (I found it surreal, and I'm rarely able to appreciate surrealism in fiction.) However, the author is a Big Name in contemporary Christian literature, and the book tends to be touted as one that you Really Should Read! Hence, in the years since I joined Goodreads and created bookshelves, it's sometimes ping-ponged between the "started-not finished" shelf, and "to read."
Recently, though, I resolved to relegate it to the former shelf, permanently. At the age of 68, I figure I can legitimately say I've done my duty by now in reading Big Names that you Really Should Read! (and I've suffered through some monstrosities in my younger days!). Many readers have appreciated this book, and I'm happy for them. But for myself personally, I'm resolved to spend my remaining time on this planet reading things I'll actually enjoy. (And talking animals won't be involved, unless they happen to hail from Narnia. :-) )
Recently, though, I resolved to relegate it to the former shelf, permanently. At the age of 68, I figure I can legitimately say I've done my duty by now in reading Big Names that you Really Should Read! (and I've suffered through some monstrosities in my younger days!). Many readers have appreciated this book, and I'm happy for them. But for myself personally, I'm resolved to spend my remaining time on this planet reading things I'll actually enjoy. (And talking animals won't be involved, unless they happen to hail from Narnia. :-) )
October 6, 2024
This book traumatized me as a child
January 5, 2025
I didn’t know what to expect going into this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through! Overall, this story is engaging, easy to read, and meaningful, and Wangerin Jr. is a wonderful writer; I look forward to reading his work again in the future.
October 12, 2021
This is a book I began and abandoned five times over two decades. I cannot tell you why.
While I read with my eyes, I listened to Paul Michael's superb narration (loved the African-American vibe). Only one thing, Mr. Michael: compline is accented on first syllable and rhymes with pin, not pine.
My greatest takeaway was the power of music.
While I read with my eyes, I listened to Paul Michael's superb narration (loved the African-American vibe). Only one thing, Mr. Michael: compline is accented on first syllable and rhymes with pin, not pine.
My greatest takeaway was the power of music.
The Hens huddled, and the Rooster crowed his canonical crows with particular care and assurance, for his soul knew well where the sun was, though the sun was hidden and never showed itself: Chauntecleer's crowing had become both sunlight and certitude for his animals; it made for them the day they never saw. It pointed placement for all their scattered and shredded feelings. And it brought them through in good order.
Yet, in the lovely clothing of this ballad, Pertelote told them what she knew of the danger which was approaching. She told them of the serpents which crawled and killed. But because such knowledge came to them in a song, the animals felt equal to this evil, and they did not panic.
January 8, 2025
You will have a hard time describing this book to your friends, for it is the sole occupant of the poultry epic genre.
A few observations to commend the work. First, plot: Chanticleer, a virtuous but imperfect rooster, is shaken from his bored restlessness to face the insurmountably evil world-serpent Wyrm. Wyrm's imprisonment depends on communities of critters like Chanticleer's to enfold one another in the bond of love and a common life. Evil tests their mettle. The community weathers the traumas of abuse, loss, and war. Chanticleer finds love with a woman (well, chicken) truly his match, Pertelote. He suffers (a lot) and asks God what it is all supposed to mean--Chaucerian Job set to modern prose.
The book has an apocalyptic ring, is chocked full of aphorism, and rejoices in the layeredness of reality.
A few observations to commend the work. First, plot: Chanticleer, a virtuous but imperfect rooster, is shaken from his bored restlessness to face the insurmountably evil world-serpent Wyrm. Wyrm's imprisonment depends on communities of critters like Chanticleer's to enfold one another in the bond of love and a common life. Evil tests their mettle. The community weathers the traumas of abuse, loss, and war. Chanticleer finds love with a woman (well, chicken) truly his match, Pertelote. He suffers (a lot) and asks God what it is all supposed to mean--Chaucerian Job set to modern prose.
The book has an apocalyptic ring, is chocked full of aphorism, and rejoices in the layeredness of reality.
June 25, 2020
I think about this book by asking this question first: did I enjoy it because it had talking animals? Definitely not. On the one hand (novel-wise) you have Watership Down, probably the unassailable apex of talking-animal books ... on the other, Redwall. The Redwall books, although also populated by talking animals, are only good for a little while before the "hur hur hur" nudge-and-wink to the reader gets irritating.
Dun Cow is an apocalyptic epic fable. It's righteous and layered. It was obviously a big inspration for White Wolf's original Werewolf RPG. I can say that I would read it again with the hope of gleaning more from it the second time around.
Dun Cow is an apocalyptic epic fable. It's righteous and layered. It was obviously a big inspration for White Wolf's original Werewolf RPG. I can say that I would read it again with the hope of gleaning more from it the second time around.
March 7, 2025
If he received it the year it was published, my dad got this book from his parents when he was 17, I don't recall exactly when he handed it to me to read but I believe I was younger than that. I remember really enjoying it back then, (it was a fantasy story with animals!) but maybe not fully appreciating some of the deeper, religious and emotional themes. This time around I outright loved it. It even caused me to leak out of my eye-holes a little (weird). Highly recommended. Not an allegory in the sense of Narnia, or The Pilgrim's Progress, but more like the beast-fables of Aesop, or The Nun's Priest's Tale by Chaucer (which the author quotes as an inspiration), like a more ethical minded Animal Farm or Watership Down. Either way, very excellent.
August 30, 2019
I’ve known of the dun cow book with its rooster cover for a while but this confusing combination became a deterrent to me reading it. Curiosity (and some recent reviews) finally overcame confusion.
It’s good.
It helped me better understand certain spiritual things as a parable should—in particular that sharing of sorrows between the dun cow and Chauntecleer. Enlightening.
My soul laps up stories of noble deeds, even when accomplished by fictional characters, even when the fictional characters are animals. My soul experienced satisfaction from this one.
It’s good.
It helped me better understand certain spiritual things as a parable should—in particular that sharing of sorrows between the dun cow and Chauntecleer. Enlightening.
My soul laps up stories of noble deeds, even when accomplished by fictional characters, even when the fictional characters are animals. My soul experienced satisfaction from this one.
January 24, 2024
Strange but fascinating/gripping story. Would highly recommend listening to the Paul Michael narrated audiobook
September 28, 2021
I loved everything about this book.
June 16, 2025
To quote Larry the Cucumber: “I laughed. I cried. It moved me, Bob.”
August 5, 2025
Chickens and barnyard animals battle a dragon living inside Earth (back when the sun revolved Earth). Oh, and they're religious chickens. I actually really liked the faith elements. 😆
This was a strange read. Fairly dark at times, with a slightly unsatisfying ending. I enjoyed it overall, though.
This was a strange read. Fairly dark at times, with a slightly unsatisfying ending. I enjoyed it overall, though.
May 12, 2025
"Lauds was his challenge to the hidden fury of the river, to Cockatrice."
The good rooster's crows were the call of the liturgy that shaped the life of the coop and of all the animals under his care. The rooster's crows wakened, moved, heartened, disheartened, busied, and rested the world around him. And ultimately these crows, these lauds, these songs of praise, were his rebellion against the great evil.
I have never met an evil so frightening and so real in any book. The Book of the Dun Cow must be a true story. Maybe the roosters, the hens, the weasel, the ants, the mice, the foxes, the rat, the turkeys, the dog, the cow, the toad, the basilisks, the cockatrice, and the wyrm were real creatures once, when animals could still talk. Before the "animals of the land descended from speech to snarls, barks, roars, and bleated accusations." Before the animals isolated themselves in blame and before each family "grew narrow eyed and suspicious over-against its neighbors." Before they were told, "No more meetings. No more gatherings. No more talk among the animals...Hush. Go about your own business and forget the others."
Or maybe its trueness is still coming. Maybe we're now still descending from speech into snarls. In The Book of the Dun Cow, speech carries the most power, for good and evil. With voice, friends are formed and rejected, enemies strike and are withstood, and sins are confessed and forgiven.
This book makes me want to be like a rooster whose lauds are his challenge to evil or like a hen who coaxes confession from a friend.
The good rooster's crows were the call of the liturgy that shaped the life of the coop and of all the animals under his care. The rooster's crows wakened, moved, heartened, disheartened, busied, and rested the world around him. And ultimately these crows, these lauds, these songs of praise, were his rebellion against the great evil.
I have never met an evil so frightening and so real in any book. The Book of the Dun Cow must be a true story. Maybe the roosters, the hens, the weasel, the ants, the mice, the foxes, the rat, the turkeys, the dog, the cow, the toad, the basilisks, the cockatrice, and the wyrm were real creatures once, when animals could still talk. Before the "animals of the land descended from speech to snarls, barks, roars, and bleated accusations." Before the animals isolated themselves in blame and before each family "grew narrow eyed and suspicious over-against its neighbors." Before they were told, "No more meetings. No more gatherings. No more talk among the animals...Hush. Go about your own business and forget the others."
Or maybe its trueness is still coming. Maybe we're now still descending from speech into snarls. In The Book of the Dun Cow, speech carries the most power, for good and evil. With voice, friends are formed and rejected, enemies strike and are withstood, and sins are confessed and forgiven.
This book makes me want to be like a rooster whose lauds are his challenge to evil or like a hen who coaxes confession from a friend.
July 5, 2017
I'm only about two thirds or so of the way through this story, but I have to note that I am thoroughly enjoying this allegorical animal tale. I'm not usually a big fan of allegories, but this one is not annoyingly obvious or moralizing in my opinion. The struggle to be brave in the face of evil and danger, the temptation to give up and think there is no hope, the tendency to minimize the talents and strengths of others, I could relate to it all.
I'm interested to see how it all turns out!
Updated: Okay, now that I've finished and read the author's afterward, I can tell you that this is NOT an allegory, but more akin to a "beast fable."
I'm still thinking about the ideas and questions that were stirred up in my mind from the reading this one! Do we fight evil in community or individually or both? Practically how is the fight against evil engaged? How can I provide encouragement to someone who has given up hope in the triumph of good and justice?
This is a novel that I can tell will be simmering in the back of my mind for some time to come. This would be a good one for a book club or discussion group!
I'm interested to see how it all turns out!
Updated: Okay, now that I've finished and read the author's afterward, I can tell you that this is NOT an allegory, but more akin to a "beast fable."
I'm still thinking about the ideas and questions that were stirred up in my mind from the reading this one! Do we fight evil in community or individually or both? Practically how is the fight against evil engaged? How can I provide encouragement to someone who has given up hope in the triumph of good and justice?
This is a novel that I can tell will be simmering in the back of my mind for some time to come. This would be a good one for a book club or discussion group!
July 7, 2009
This is a great book. Though it's been compared to Watership Down and Animal Farm, the only similarities it has is that the main characters are animals. Book of the Dun Cow is a book of its own and Wangerin has a unique voice that you can hear as you read his emotionally charged words. Maybe I'm just becoming more of sap as I age, but I choked up at multiple points in this book, and that is a rare occurrence. If you like parables or allegories, then this is right up your alley. And even if you don't, Wangerin provides a unique and interesting story to keep you going from page one to the end.
May 6, 2020
I give a lot of five star reviews, but man, such a good read.... it was written by an English professor/Lutheran pastor, and it beautifully illustrates battles against evil, as well our neighbors, what it means to be a good leader, true meekness,, and our need to be loved wholly, the good and the ugly parts, in community... All executed wonderfully by farm and woodland creature characters to disarm my defenses a bit... highly recommended!
August 27, 2023
Wouldn't have guessed that a story about prelapsarian talking animals would have brought me to the verge of tears, but here we are.
Rev'd. Wangerin beautifully creates an original fairy tale that feels utterly and thoroughly a part of the medieval Christian Canon.
Rev'd. Wangerin beautifully creates an original fairy tale that feels utterly and thoroughly a part of the medieval Christian Canon.
October 9, 2010
The classic battle between good & evil.......with chickens
Displaying 1 - 30 of 832 reviews