Cry Wolf: A Political Fable

by Paul Lake

Cry Wolf is an Animal Farm for the 21st century: a brilliant allegory of the political challenges we face in post-9/11 America. The farm animals’ struggle to maintain their way of life against an influx of change is a powerful commentary on the importance of balancing freedom with justice, and on how easily even the best of intentions can destroy a community too caught up with what is “fair” to do what is right.

Lake’s novel raises questions of in the heart of every devoted citizen: Does political correctness ever trump law? Should safety ever be compromised for the sake of inclusion? Are big government and judicial systems tools to create order, or do they provide chaos?

Genres: Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2008

Reviews

[Jason Reeser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book that was, for me, ultimately depressing. It is so well done, and so true to what is really happening, that I couldn't help but feel despair at the inevitable outcome. It is the kind of storyline that will drive a logical mind crazy. But Mr. Lake has done a masterful job telling the story. The only unfortunate aspect of this fable is how deadly-accurate the author is with this tale.

[Julie [Kaskade] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, worthy of the time it takes to read.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

For reasons never explained, humans are absent and the farm animals have taken over the farm. They live in peace with a few simple rules of which the most important is "No Trespassing." Then one day a wounded fawn is found on the other side of the fence. "The poor thing" is given an exception to the rule. She leaves as mysteriously as she came.
At the next harvest, a possum demonstrates that he can pick cherries from the top branches where the animals can't go (work natives can not/will not do). The animals let some of the species heedless of warning (they eat eggs! the major source of protein in the animals diet). One by one other animals are let in. Each time there is a debate in which the Wise Owl makes profound arguments in support of more inclusion and diversity which are difficult to refute even when they obviously violating commonsense.
Eventually. . .
Will this be America's fate in the refugee/immigration?

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Racist! Sexist! Homophobe! Intolerant!

These are just a few words that have become stand-ins for arguments in our time. Like appeals to "social justice", they are designed to stop conversations and silence dissent. Paul Lake explores the exponents of this practice in Cry Wolf, which is a political fable in the tradition of Animal Farm. I was often uncomfortable reading, and I'm not sure Lake and I agree on everything, even though we share the same conservative politics.

I could see people getting upset by this book, but I have a challenge for them. Respond reasonably without resorting to the above epithets. For my part, I'm reminded not to substitute ad hominem shortcuts in place of clear thinking.

[Zachary Barnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick Read, relatively shallow.

[Jason Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a modern-day Animal Farm< in which the animals deal not with communists as in George Orwell's original fable, but with more contemporary challenges. A fast and entertaining read.

[Rosalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoyed the classic Animal Farm, you will enjoy this modern twist...well written.