Animal Barn: A Cautionary Tail

by David Spuler

Trapped in their steaming barn, with food running out, Petunia the lamb and her friend Pickle struggle against the obstreperous Felicity and the dismissive older animals who are oblivious to the needs of the young ones. Only a mother's love can save them. An allegorical novella about climate change and global warming, in the spirit of Animal Farm.

Genres: Ebooks, Climate Change

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2020

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel was a bit too heavily allegorical for my tastes. It felt like it moved through scenes too quickly, and could either have been tightened to a short story, or fleshed out more to go beyond the allegory and develop the story in its own right. Still, Pickles and Petunia were endearing, and the lesson is certainly important.
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was totally strange to me and I can see the big animals giving up their lives to save the young but, that all should die is just rather drastic. I thought it clever how the animals tried to survive, got out of Winter into the barn and then stuck inside with supposedly enough food to last forever, but some started eating too much, some were consuming to much air….depressing book. . I guess bless be the tax collectors for saving them!

[Nikkie Gaytan · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway*

I’m not sure what I was expecting with this book, but I couldn’t put it down. Who knew you could be so invested in barn animals? A great story that really makes you think.

[Jenn A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, for this review I really had to take some time to think.
While I enjoyed the story that was told, I felt that it was rushed. I think that David Spuler had the basis for a brilliant story, however, it seemed only half formed.
There were so many ways that this could have been so much better and I could see it reaching a full five stars.
In my opinion the characters had the potential to really make us feel. But just as the feelings were beginning they were quickly cut off by change of topic or end of chapter. I found myself wanting to feel something, anything, for these lovely characters, but was only left with the idea that they felt something but what that full feeling was I will never know.
I think the point that Spuler was trying to make in the story would have been received much better had we been given the opportunity to really know and feel along with his characters.

[Christine Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a lucky winner in a Goodreads giveaway and found myself in possession of this novella. Since Animal Farm is one of my all-time favorite works, I couldn’t wait to dive into Animal Barn: A Cautionary Tale. Just like Farmer Jones, the “farmer” in this novella was not overly respectful of his animals. Coughing on death’s doorstep, the farmer winds up passing away leaving his animals trapped in their barn. Some of the animals had superior knowledge and resourcefulness compared to their pen mates. The animals knew they were stuck and had to discover ways to procure food, water and climate control all while maintaining a clean, healthy environment since they could only roam where they now lived instead of in their respective grazing fields outside. The older animals, particularly the cows and sheep ate to their hearts’ content and did not worry about what tomorrow would bring. They believed they had an endless supply of water and drank without even a thought as to the source of the water. A young lamb, Petunia, was far more clever than her elder barnyard companions and was usually responsible for inventing ways to ensure each animal would be alive for days to come. Not many took her seriously because of her age. She asked one simple question that many of the other animals overlooked, “Have you eaten less today?” As the logic went, if every animal cut back eating their normal daily amounts of food, there would be no cause to worry about food running low. The animals felt they were entitled to eat however much they felt like and never worried about the greater good. One cow, Martha, decided to cut back tremendously, as she had a young calf named Pickle and she wanted to make sure there would be enough food for him after she was long gone. While some animals see the benefit of their sacrifice, others kept taking and taking, not giving a hoot about subsequent generations. They released harmful chemical by-products into the air via belching and flatulence. They took more than their share and created a hostile divide amongst the animals.

As with any noteworthy allegory, a tremendous message was communicated through the actions of the animals. As a society, we need to be mindful of our resources and know that as our population continues to grow, resources become scarcer. Eventually, all good things must come to an end, but if we exercise a little common sense and give a damn for our fellow citizen, we could work together to stretch our resources a bit further. It takes a bit of sacrifice, but in the end, our children and our children’s children might thank us.

[Daniella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too literal to be an allegory.

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable story for adults to ponder

This simple, short story blew me away. Highly recommended. As the full name of the book states, a cautionary tale indeed.

[Sydney Hack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Copy won in a giveaway.

In the style of Animal Farm, Animal Barn tells an allegorical story about climate change.

I did not enjoy Animal Farm when I first read Orwell’s classic novel. I thought it might be that I had just finished a degree in political science when I first read the novel and the allegory was too simple for me, too redundant. After reading Animal Barn, I think it might be that allegorical tales are not for me. While the message of the story is great, I’m not sure how Animal Barn itself will help us tackle the climate crisis if the adults (as discussed in the story) do not read it and take heed.

Ultimately, I think this would be a great companion novel for Animal Farm and I hope adults do pick up this short book and listen to its lessons.

[Juergen John Roscher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads Giveaway Program.

I would give this novelette a rating of 2.5 stars but rounded it up rounded up to 3 stars.

The story attempted to shine a light upon global climate change and global warming in an allegorical story loosely related to one of my favorite books Animal Farm. I think in this attempt the author failed.

The meaning I received from reading this novelette was of greediness and lack of cooperation of the farm animals, which suggested to me a system of anarchy in the barn. The book showed that no supported government structure and egocentric self-interest (rather than brotherly love) were the cause of most problems in the barn.

There was a limited supply of food and water for the animals. There was restricted ways to produce any more food and no way to generate more water. There only hope was to delay the inevitable depletion of all food and water causing the death of all animals or significantly reducing the number of animals that the system could support.

In my opinion, this is not the case in the world today. We can produce more food than is needed, water is a limited resource in very few cases. There have been massive efforts to increase production of food that has significantly reduced hunger (and related suffering) in the world in the last 30 years. Climate change (man made or natural) has had minimal impact on the ability to live on the earth. Wise and ethical governments are able to provide the leadership to handle the challenges. In the world today most places that are still lacking in basic necessities are from evil or inept leadership.

The ending was good to see a plan was devised (leadership) to save the youngest animals until man came to free the animals.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this ebook from the author/publisher via Goodreads Giveaways. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A barn full of farm animals worry about their owner as he becomes sick in the cold of winter and stops showing up to feed them. They're sure someone will rescue them eventually, but it keeps getting colder and they keep getting hungrier.
As more time passes, some of the animals break out of their stalls and come up with ways to preserve their shrinking water and food sources but no matter how much they try, they can't seem to find a way to break out of the barn.

Animal Barn is the 'Animal Farm' of our time, with unseen forces, aka weather and/or climate, as the main antagonist but still follows the spirit of the Orwellian tale. A barn full of trapped animals is bound to have an interesting, and perhaps rather harrowing, outcome; especially when their very survival is at stake.

I originally read 'Animal Farm' in middle or high school as required reading (which never bothered me) and it stuck with me for years. I've reread it twice since then and can definitely see myself reading it again in the future and was excited to read this novella 'retelling'.

Animal Barn did not disappoint. It has many similarities to 'Animal Farm' but is a fantastic allegory all on its own, with lovable characters and its own 'hidden message.'

Content warning includes neglect and death of animals and some animalistic violence. I would recommend it to fans of Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies. There are no age recommendations that I can find but I think it is suitable for young readers.


This review was originally shared on Lazy Day Literature.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book from Good Reads as part of the First Reads program.

All the animals are locked in the barn for the night. Overnight, the farmer dies. Now they have to fend for themselves, locked in a barn with no way out. Food is found, and a water source, but these things are limited, and there's a need to ration everything so everyone will survive. Unfortunately, some animals are not inclined to limit their consumption for the good of all, and the result is inevitable. This book is a parable about global warming. It would be a good choice to assign to school children as part of a discussion of what's happening to the planet, and how it can be avoided. As for general readers, unfortunately, books like this tend to preach to the choir. Those who need to hear the message don't believe it, and believers already know the story.

[Jeremy Maddux · Rating 1 out of 5]

'It was known formally as the Global Agreement and Standardization on Barn Agistment Growth, although that was too long to remember. For a time, it was called Noreen’s Agreement, but then it quickly became just the Corner Agreement.'

There we go. I was waiting for the true agenda of this book to unmask. Here it is. Barnyard animals want to be carbon taxed by the animal equivalent of the UN. What a joke of a story. When Orwell used livestock as his message, it was to illuminate a message on behalf of all creatures' plights, not condemn all living things because they expel waste. Could have at least gone with different messengers, maybe fish in a Ripley's aquarium center. That would have at least been less obvious.

[Genna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won the ebook in a Goodreads giveaway and finally got around to reading it. it caught my eye after reading Animal Farm which why I decided to pick this one up. not as good as Animal Farm but it kept my attention throughout. It did slightly lose my attention around the 70/80% of the book when the animals were having meetings and talking about what to do rather than putting plan into action. I wanted to read it to the end to see if the animals would ultimately survive or die. I don't think it impacted me emotionally as much as Animal Farm but still sad with what the barn animals had to go through.

[Nichole Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast and Easy Read with a Great Moral

Petunia and Pickle were my favorite characters and as for animals I thought they had really good character development!

What I took away from the story is to proceed with caution, set a plan and follow through with it before it’s too late and do it as a whole. By being selfish like in this situation it could lead to the worst.

I loved the ending! It’s terribly bitter sweet. I would definitely read this again.

***I won a free copy of the ebook from Goodreads.com and this is my honest opinions and review which are my own.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

But for mother's love

Thank you Goodreads for the giveaway win.
The farmer died, leaving the animals locked in the barn. The cows in their stations, the sheep in their stall, and the pigs in their pen. The story tells of the animals' struggle to survive on the supplies left in the barn.
It is really the tale of what we humans have done to our home and how so few listen to the voice of reason and see what is in the cards if change, meaningful change does not happen.
Will we think of the young ones or only ourselves? It is up to each of us to make a choice for the future.

[BigBlueSea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to the author.

A good follow up to Animal Farm regarding the use of ingenuity and resources. A complicated question on the benefit of helping yourself versus helping the common good. The inevitable conclusion to any such altruism is that there will always be people looking out for their own self interests. The writer portrays this, although maybe not as much as I tend to personally believe. Still, it makes the reader think and consider their own actions, which sometimes is enough as long as even one person changes.

[Jillian Armistead · Rating 4 out of 5]

short and impactful

I enjoyed the animal characters in this short story so much. Their personalities and antics kept me entertained even when the bickering seemed to have no end. This allegory about climate change covers tragedy of the commons, Paris Agreement and political unrest, as well as some people’s ignorance, doubts and selfishness. We are our own worse enemy for sure. This book is depressing and frustrating but also gives people hope for us all to work together towards a better ending for future generations to come.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot better than most of the self-published books I've read.

I like the allegorical quality of the story, and it was quite funny in an understated way with amusing references both to modern culture and to Animal Farm. My only complaint was that it was very repetitive. Every season, too much eating, too many excuses. Yeah, that's what he's trying to lampoon, but after awhile it stops being effective in the narrative.

[Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the quite obvious spirit of Animal Farm, this story covers climate change and democracy against self-interest and greed. A solid story, but I have to wonder if the barn has some sort of "Bag of Holding" for all the food with how long everyone is cooped up inside.

My only real complaint is the emphasis that only the young can solve the problems of the world, although reality somewhat proves this to be true-ish. So take THAT, bitter old me!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. I had no previous expectation of my journey as I began the book, no idea what I had in store. Early on I thought of what our country is currently about. The parallels between the characters and their troubles run frighteningly in line with our lives. It's spooky. I wish others could read this and take to heart the message, find ourselves in the animals and react as we should before it's too late. It may already be too late but I hope not.

[Candice Kamencik · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was...not a fan of this. It escaped the one star rating simply because the writing was done competently.

That this was written as a parallel tale to Animal farm was obvious, but the "plot" was nebulous at best. There was no development, no drive, and it was very loosely strung together just as time passed. If some of the animal characters were more developed that would have helped, but there was nothing to get vested in here. :(

[Crystal Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to think about this book when I started reading it. The plot is unique and the characters are well developed. As I saw someone else state, it's a nice thought evoking piece, but not to expect too much. A cautionary tail indeed..what happens when a farmer suddenly stops visiting and the animals are left on their own.
I was provided a copy through Goodreads giveaways, but all thoughts expressed are my own.

[Candra Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anarchy amongst animals

This book is really a life lesson on not taking more than your fair share and planning for tomorrow told from the viewpoint of animals whose farmer died without letting them out of the barn. It honestly reminded me a lot of lord of the flies.
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won This book in a Goodreads giveaway

This book took a complex issue and turned it into a simple story. Overall it was excellently written with great characters and a well developed story line. The message was not lost or hidden behind a lot of words or flashy details. I enjoyed reading this story.

[Melinda M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Animal Barn: A Cautionary Tail by David Spuler is interesting. It tells how the animals try to survive after the farmer who owns them dies overnight after locking them in the barn. The takeaways are to have a plan , proceed slowing with caution and think ahead. It was a different book.

I received a copy thru a Goodreads giveaway.

[Rick Molitor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cautionary tale

I would caution you not to expect too much out of this book. It is a nice little tale about how things can fall apart when no one wants to listen to reason or sacrifice to reach a goal. But there is really not much to it.

[Rebekah Crain · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars

Animal Barn: A Cautionary Tail was a short Animal Farm inspired read. An allegory that uses animals to deliver a poignant story that delves into the ways we as human's take for granted our wonderful world and the resources around us.

[Susan Burlew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hard to rate. It was a good lesson about cooperating with others rather than looking out for yourself, sort of. Mostly it showed a mother sacrificing for her son and the other young ones.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Animals facing human problems

What happens to animals when their owner can no longer care for them? They gather together and attempt to survive. Can they work together to get out of their situation?
#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won Animal Barn as part of a kindle giveaway. The book may have been written as a fable for global warming but it reminded me of today's politics. Either way, the book is a timely one and worth the read.