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Man-Shy
A story of men and cattle.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1931
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 7, 2016
Back when Frank Davison wrote this in 1931, he probably just wanted to tell a story of the Australian outback from the point of view of a belligerent heifer instead of the virile men who tried to tame it. Nowadays, however, this novel is even more open to interpretation especially with the rise of the feminist lens.
The heroine of the story is the red cow, that against all odds, escaped from domestication and became wild. The ending was never in doubt: a cow could never outsmart a human being, but through its lifespan it fought against all the man-made limits surrounding her until she was the last living wild cow in the vicinity. Because all the water was corralled for the domestic cows to use, she died from thirst at the end, on the highest water-pool in Queensland.
The feminists will have a field day with this novel. It is great precisely because it can be easily read from such a perspective: the red cow can represent a lady who learned to be independent at an early age. Her being branded can represent perhaps rape, or a violation of her dignity, and her escape into freedom and rebirth represents the strong, fighting woman. Time and again she breaks free from the shackles created by a patriarchal society, but she cannot fight necessity: in the end, as her newfound family and friends are taken away from her, she stands tall as she faces an inevitable death. The red cow reminds me of Ibsen's Nora: she slams the door against the cow-herders.
The heroine of the story is the red cow, that against all odds, escaped from domestication and became wild. The ending was never in doubt: a cow could never outsmart a human being, but through its lifespan it fought against all the man-made limits surrounding her until she was the last living wild cow in the vicinity. Because all the water was corralled for the domestic cows to use, she died from thirst at the end, on the highest water-pool in Queensland.
The feminists will have a field day with this novel. It is great precisely because it can be easily read from such a perspective: the red cow can represent a lady who learned to be independent at an early age. Her being branded can represent perhaps rape, or a violation of her dignity, and her escape into freedom and rebirth represents the strong, fighting woman. Time and again she breaks free from the shackles created by a patriarchal society, but she cannot fight necessity: in the end, as her newfound family and friends are taken away from her, she stands tall as she faces an inevitable death. The red cow reminds me of Ibsen's Nora: she slams the door against the cow-herders.
November 13, 2022
What a fabulous little book this is! I can't believe it has eluded me for so long. I have heard the title mentioned in the shadows occasionally in the past, but it was only a recent visit to a second hand book shop that prompted me to buy it as an 'add on.' I'm so glad I did!
As we read the story about the determined, resourceful, freedom-loving red calf (and then cow) that is the book's hero, one can't help feeling - not surprisingly - that she is heavily modelled on the author, Frank Dalby Davidson, himself; that if the calf had written a book, and could not find a publisher, she would simply publish it herself - as did Davidson with 'Man-Shy.'
There are many passages that are so beautifully descriptive, they could only have been written by somebody utterly familiar with the material he was writing about - the Australian bush, horses, cattle and the men who profit by them. There are occasional diversions from the principle narrative, such as the battle between two bulls for supremacy, but these only serve to further flesh out the picture that Davidson is creating.
As a writer myself, I am a sucker for any self-publishing successes. This must be one of Australia's finest!
As we read the story about the determined, resourceful, freedom-loving red calf (and then cow) that is the book's hero, one can't help feeling - not surprisingly - that she is heavily modelled on the author, Frank Dalby Davidson, himself; that if the calf had written a book, and could not find a publisher, she would simply publish it herself - as did Davidson with 'Man-Shy.'
There are many passages that are so beautifully descriptive, they could only have been written by somebody utterly familiar with the material he was writing about - the Australian bush, horses, cattle and the men who profit by them. There are occasional diversions from the principle narrative, such as the battle between two bulls for supremacy, but these only serve to further flesh out the picture that Davidson is creating.
As a writer myself, I am a sucker for any self-publishing successes. This must be one of Australia's finest!
June 7, 2020
I happened upon this book by accident and had never heard of it. The edition I had was from 1946 and I only decided to read it when I noticed it was awarded The Australian Literature Society's gold medal for best Australian novel published in 1931. What a delightful book it was. It is the story of red heifer in the Australian bush and her fight for freedom against man. The imagery of the Australian bush is wonderful and the way it captured the land being taken up by selectors who immediately claimed it as "theirs" and set about fencing off the Australian bush. What was really clever was that there was no use of anthropomorphism and the actions and thoughts described as being of those from the cattle are those of the thought process of partially domesticated animals. Over the years I have taking part in a few cattle musters and I recalled how I often wondered what the cattle were thinking. After reading this book, you got a real sense of it. Highly recommended.
February 22, 2019
A time of innocence? Heck no! The cattle are ‘meat on the hook’, the blood flies as they are rounded up for the sale yards, and with one possible exception, the stockmen are a million miles from caring about animal welfare.
I probably give this one 3.5, but am rounding up because it was an enjoyable read - page-turning and engaging.
The tragedy of the red cow’s youth, the brutal frankness with which the story is told, no holds barred - hats off to the author.
A book to hang onto - sometimes the fiction of years past is more informative than any historical works on the same subject.
I probably give this one 3.5, but am rounding up because it was an enjoyable read - page-turning and engaging.
The tragedy of the red cow’s youth, the brutal frankness with which the story is told, no holds barred - hats off to the author.
A book to hang onto - sometimes the fiction of years past is more informative than any historical works on the same subject.
March 8, 2021
random notes for later:
- animal pov oooooh
- calling to the world/environment
- sAD
- animal pov oooooh
- calling to the world/environment
- sAD
Read
November 25, 2021This is the story of a red heifer who grows up in the Australian Outback. She is distrustful of the men who would take her freedom away; we are told of her personal journey to freedom.
August 22, 2011
I heard about this book from Ursula K. LeGuin's very favorable review in her book "Cheek by Jowl." I agree that Red Heifer is a remarkable book. Who'd expect a cow as a tragic heroine? The animals are portrayed sympathetically, but without anthropomorphism.
Want to Read
September 4, 2010We also own this as an omnibus with both Man-shy and Dusty: Man-shy and Dusty
June 13, 2013
A true piece of Australiana from the cows point of view. Loved it.
March 28, 2014
Classic Aussie animal story. The wild cow in outback Australia who won't be tamed.
January 24, 2015
Beautiful book about a red heifer. Likely to make you think about being a vegetarian or caring more about animal rights.
October 6, 2011
The best ever answer to the question: How now brown cow? I love this book. It is so kind.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews