Goat: A Musing Whimsy

by Allan Batchelder

Chester wakes up one morning to discover he's been transformed into a goat. How, why, and whether it can be reversed are only a few of the riddles he must unravel at the center of a dark conspiracy that could threaten the whole country!

Sometimes, even a goat must be the GOAT.

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2024

About the author

Allan is a professional actor, educator and former stand-up comedian. In addition to Steel, Blood & Fire, he's also written plays, screenplays, online articles, dialogue for computer games, greeting card sentiments and more. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Master's in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University. He is a huge fan of Shakespeare, Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie, Glen Cook, George R.R. Martin, Tad Williams, and R. Scott Bakker. Allan lives in Seattle with his wife and son, where he enjoys walks on the beach, reading in the garden and puttering around on his computer. Oh, and naps. He LOVES naps.

Allan is a professional actor, educator and former stand-up comedian. In addition to Blood, Steel & Fire, he's also written plays, screenplays, online articles, dialogue for computer games, greeting card sentiments and more. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Master's in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University. He is a huge fan of Shakespeare, Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie, Glen Cook, George R.R. Martin, Tad Williams, and R. Scott Bakker. Allan lives in Seattle with his wife and son, where he enjoys walks on the beach, reading in the garden and puttering around on his computer. Oh, and naps. He LOVES naps.

Print this

Reviews

[C.T. Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOAT by Allan Batchelder is a fantastic story of a guy who gets turned into, yes, a goat and proceeds to find himself by talking inanimate objects as well as other victims of a sci-fi bit of silliness. It's a very fun tale that's a bit on the short side and thoroughly nonserious. I think those seeking a fun afternoon read to relax their brain will find this story to be very entertaining.

[S.bookreview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine waking up one morning, stretching out your arms, and… wait, are those hooves? Welcome to Chester’s world in Goat: A Musing Whimsy by Allan Batchelder. From the very first page, this bizarrely brilliant tale whisks you into a surreal adventure where one man’s inexplicable transformation into a goat becomes the backdrop for an exploration of identity, resilience, and life’s unexpected twists. What starts as pure absurdity quickly evolves into something surprisingly profound—and ridiculously entertaining.

Batchelder’s writing is a masterclass in balancing whimsy with wisdom. Chester’s new reality isn’t just a parade of goat jokes (though, trust me, there are plenty of those). Beneath the humor lies a deeper narrative, one that pokes at our collective human experience. How do we adapt when life flips the script? How do we make peace with circumstances that are, quite frankly, beyond our control? Chester’s journey is an answer to those questions, albeit with a lot more bleating and headbutting.

Personally, Goat: A Musing Whimsy was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. It’s the kind of book that invites you to set aside your worries, lean into the absurd, and just enjoy the ride. Whether you’re a fan of quirky humor or stories with an undercurrent of heart, this book delivers on both fronts. Chester might be a goat, but his journey is one every human can relate to—because who hasn’t felt out of place, facing challenges that seem too big to tackle?

In short, if you’re in the mood for a story that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, this one’s a must-read. Allan Batchelder has crafted a whimsical gem that’s sure to leave you smiling—and maybe even questioning your own definition of normal. Prepare for laughter, a little soul-searching, and one unforgettable goat.

[Booksbyhanna11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐐📚 Review: Goat: A Musing Whimsy by Allan Batchelder

⭐ Rating: 5/5 — Surreal, smart, and seriously entertaining!

🌀 Plot Twist?!
– Imagine waking up… with HOOVES. Yup. That’s Chester’s reality.
– A bizarre transformation kicks off a whimsical and oddly profound journey.

😂 Humor Meets Heart
– Plenty of goat jokes & hilarious bleating moments!
– But underneath the laughs? A deep, thoughtful look at life’s unexpected turns.

🧠 Whimsy + Wisdom
– Batchelder masterfully balances absurdity with introspection.
– Makes you chuckle and think—often at the same time.

💡 Relatable Themes
– Identity 🪞
– Adaptation 🛠️
– Feeling out of place in a world that doesn’t make sense 🐾

📖 Why You Should Read It:
– It’s weird in the best way.
– Perfect for fans of quirky fiction with heart.
– A refreshing, meaningful escape from reality.

💬 Final Bleat:
– Chester may be a goat, but his story is strangely human.
– If you're in the mood for something unique, funny, and unexpectedly deep… this is the one. 🐐💫

[Michael Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if an ordinary man was inexplicably turned into a goat, seized by constant omnivorous hunger and a penchant for puns? And what if this happened in a steampunk society filled with terrifying automatons? Hapless docent Chesterberry Falls (that's his name) struggles to understand and undo his inconvenient transformation with the help of some rather unlikely companions. As the subtitle implies, this is a light and entertaining read, perhaps a distant cousin of The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy (though with less social satire and more dystopia). Recommended!