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301st out of 922 books
—
5,232 voters
The Book of the Dun Cow (Chauntecleer the Rooster #1)
Walter Wangerin's profound fantasy concerns a time when the sun turned around the earth and the 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 Keepers of Wyrm, monster of evil long imprisoned beneath the earth ... and Wyrm, sub terra, was breaking free.
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
August 14th 2003
by HarperOne
(first published 1978)
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Jul 21, 2007
Admonit
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
adults with a streak of whimsy & a sense of gritty reality
Shelves:
fiction
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 there...more
A retelling of the Aesop's Fable Chauntecleer and the Fox. It's both epic and personal and every page propels you forward. I just couldn't put it down. I recommend this for Watership Down fans, Tolkien.....
a great good vs. evil read... This book is for the faithful, for the believers in hope, in the possibility of good in us all. Yet there is something almost painfully sweet about the depth this story goes and how it will sound in your heart.....all contained in a barnyard, on the shoulders of a...more
a great good vs. evil read... This book is for the faithful, for the believers in hope, in the possibility of good in us all. Yet there is something almost painfully sweet about the depth this story goes and how it will sound in your heart.....all contained in a barnyard, on the shoulders of a...more
3 likes · like · see review
A strange tale about a rooster, his coop, and his demesne of fellow beasts as they war against the evil Wyrm under the earth. The author employs several memorable medieval devices that will keep literature lovers fascinated. Unlike many fantasy novels, the outline of cultures, history, and geography remain sparse, though the characterization is more in-depth (and thus somewhat more modern). Wangerin--perhaps from his own pastoral experience--provides some of the best descriptions about the felt...more
Nov 01, 2008
deLille
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to deLille by:
Good Reads author
Shelves:
young-adult
I stumbled across this book on Good Reads when an author mentioned this book as THE book that got him hooked on reading. I wish I could find the quote again, but he said the book made him walk around in a daze for days afterwards, thinking about the book all the time. I love books like that, the kind that sweep you off into another reality that can seem more real that your own real world.
I've never been one to get into beast fables, or any of the Tolkien books, so I wasn't sure if this book wou...more
I've never been one to get into beast fables, or any of the Tolkien books, so I wasn't sure if this book wou...more
1 like · like · see review
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...more
3 likes · like · see review
I have to admit that the only reason I picked up The Book of the Dun Cow is that I used to work closely with Walt Wangerin’s brother-in-law, who often mentioned this book in reverential, hushed tones. (Hi, Don!)
Now I’m completely sad that I waited so long. This is a tremendous novel. Like Watership Down, its characters are talking, self-aware animals. Under the care of the lordly, but imperfect, rooster Chauntecleer, the animals do battle with Evil. Wangerine’s epic, stylized narrative carries n...more
Now I’m completely sad that I waited so long. This is a tremendous novel. Like Watership Down, its characters are talking, self-aware animals. Under the care of the lordly, but imperfect, rooster Chauntecleer, the animals do battle with Evil. Wangerine’s epic, stylized narrative carries n...more
Originally posted at Honey and Locusts.
If you're wondering what in the heck a "dun cow" is, you're not alone. As it turns out, dun is a color("gray-gold or tan", in fact), which in this case describes a cow. Don't you love learning new things?
Here's something else you may not know: This is a TERRIFIC book!
The Book of the Dun Cowis a novel which in many ways defies classification. Though the New York Timesendorsement quoted on the back cover refers to the book as an "allegorical fantasy", that is...more
If you're wondering what in the heck a "dun cow" is, you're not alone. As it turns out, dun is a color("gray-gold or tan", in fact), which in this case describes a cow. Don't you love learning new things?
Here's something else you may not know: This is a TERRIFIC book!
The Book of the Dun Cowis a novel which in many ways defies classification. Though the New York Timesendorsement quoted on the back cover refers to the book as an "allegorical fantasy", that is...more
Apr 10, 2011
Matthew
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
no one
Recommended to Matthew by:
Mark
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Well, I'm almost a week late reviewing this book because my family keeps stealing it. Even worse, DD has now stolen the sequel. Argh.
I've heard The Book of the Dun Cow compared to Narnia or Tolkien. I agree to an extent, though I don't think the story reaches quite the same epic status. The writing style isn't my favorite; but there is such power in the story, I overlooked that for most of the piece.
The entire plot revolves around animal communities. These animals are ruled by a lord, who is a r...more
I've heard The Book of the Dun Cow compared to Narnia or Tolkien. I agree to an extent, though I don't think the story reaches quite the same epic status. The writing style isn't my favorite; but there is such power in the story, I overlooked that for most of the piece.
The entire plot revolves around animal communities. These animals are ruled by a lord, who is a r...more
Cock-a-doodle-dull? I picked this up at a local used book store because frankly, I liked the cover. The fact that it was about a fully sentient group of animals fighting evil also seemed fun.
Of the things this book was, fun was not one of them. The thing this book was most of all was dull. I read often, and I usually read quickly, but this slim 250ish page book took me almost a week. Most of the time I didn't care, but quite often the religious hammer that is so prevalent just upset me.
This bo...more
Of the things this book was, fun was not one of them. The thing this book was most of all was dull. I read often, and I usually read quickly, but this slim 250ish page book took me almost a week. Most of the time I didn't care, but quite often the religious hammer that is so prevalent just upset me.
This bo...more
One of the most unique books I've ever read. It is an allegorical tale about the struggle against evil- both the living embodiment of Evil and the evil within ourselves- and it is all about farm animals (perhaps why I liked it so much). It realistically portrays the animal world (the author must have lived on a farm at one time) yet also uses that world to beautifully represent humanity. And evil in this book is truly evil: there were scenes in this book that were gut-wrenching and disturbing.
T...more
T...more
Best. Cockfight. EVER!
Just by loving each other and hoping in their Creator God, a little community of farm and forest animals unknowingly holds at bay the great evil of Wyrm, imprisoned under the earth. When Wyrm sets to the task of freeing himself by destroying their love and hope: attacking them with an army of Basilisks serpents, it is up to the animals and their rooster leader, Chautecleer, to defend their community with their lives.
There's lots of little life lessons, especially for lead...more
Just by loving each other and hoping in their Creator God, a little community of farm and forest animals unknowingly holds at bay the great evil of Wyrm, imprisoned under the earth. When Wyrm sets to the task of freeing himself by destroying their love and hope: attacking them with an army of Basilisks serpents, it is up to the animals and their rooster leader, Chautecleer, to defend their community with their lives.
There's lots of little life lessons, especially for lead...more
The Book of the Dun Cow is one of my all-time favorite novels. Since it came out over 30 years ago, I have probably read it about half a dozen times. It was first introduced to me by my fifth grade teacher, who recommended it to my entire class.
This novel is a fantasy story written from the perspective of talking animals. The main character is Chauntecleer, a proud rooster who rules a Coop and the surrounding areas. As Lord of the land, it is his responsibility to care for his animals and keep...more
This novel is a fantasy story written from the perspective of talking animals. The main character is Chauntecleer, a proud rooster who rules a Coop and the surrounding areas. As Lord of the land, it is his responsibility to care for his animals and keep...more
I had never before heard of THE BOOK OF THE DUN COW, by Walter Wangerin Jr., until a local book group chose it for their next read. This is good, in a way, because I had no expectations. A National Book Award winner in 1980, the story completely involves animals that talk and not a human being in sight.
Chauntecleer the Rooster rules a peaceful yard. While hens produce eggs, John Wesley Weasel gets accused of eating them, Ebenezer Rat is attacked, and Mundo Cani the Dog, Wee Widow Mouse and Perte...more
Chauntecleer the Rooster rules a peaceful yard. While hens produce eggs, John Wesley Weasel gets accused of eating them, Ebenezer Rat is attacked, and Mundo Cani the Dog, Wee Widow Mouse and Perte...more
Having had this book on my shelf for 30 years, I decided that I should finally read it, so took it on holiday. Why did I wait so long?! This is instantly one of my favourite books. By turns funny, frightening, sorrowful and uplifting, the book tells the story of Chauntecleer the rooster and his battle to uphold good against evil.
The Christian symbolism is laid on fairly thick, but not so much that it gets in the way of the story and its message, which obviously is a Christian one. However, as G...more
The Christian symbolism is laid on fairly thick, but not so much that it gets in the way of the story and its message, which obviously is a Christian one. However, as G...more
What seems to be a very docile book, just like the farm animals in it, has turned out to be incredibly deep, moving, and thought provoking. The chapters are short, making it a quick read, but the very real struggle between good and evil sticks with you throughout the day. I'd highly recommend this book, as I continue to mull over the ideas and reminders presented here.
This book started out very funny and I thought we were in for a rollicking good time. Chanticleer the Rooster is the hero and this book tries to be an epic. Reviewers claim that it is epic. We just didn't walk away from it feeling that way.
It's a classic good against evil. There were parts of that idea that worked and parts that didn't. Chanticleer is the author of the good, because he is the rule-maker and in charge of keeping things in working order. Worm, whose earthly child is Cockatrice is...more
It's a classic good against evil. There were parts of that idea that worked and parts that didn't. Chanticleer is the author of the good, because he is the rule-maker and in charge of keeping things in working order. Worm, whose earthly child is Cockatrice is...more
The first two-thirds of the book was good, but the last third was gripping—I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed this and some of the symbolism of the book. Wangerin, however, didn't write it as an allegory.
He writes, "What the Book of the Dun Cow is not—nor was ever intended to be—is an allegory. Allegories ask an intellectual analysis...The Book of the Dun Cow invites experience...Allegories are reductive in meanings; they bear a riddling quality...But a good novel is first of all an event...more
He writes, "What the Book of the Dun Cow is not—nor was ever intended to be—is an allegory. Allegories ask an intellectual analysis...The Book of the Dun Cow invites experience...Allegories are reductive in meanings; they bear a riddling quality...But a good novel is first of all an event...more
It's been a week or more since I finished this book, and I'm still struggling a bit with what to think about it.
My reservations have to do with its fairly ugly version of Christianity. It is, at least, fairly frankly Christian, if not quite explicitely, and so I don't feel dirty about it the way I do with Narnia, but it still culminates in a overblown physical battle with a Satan figure, and requires a martyrdom for no good reason to finally overcome the evil.
But leading up to this is some of t...more
My reservations have to do with its fairly ugly version of Christianity. It is, at least, fairly frankly Christian, if not quite explicitely, and so I don't feel dirty about it the way I do with Narnia, but it still culminates in a overblown physical battle with a Satan figure, and requires a martyrdom for no good reason to finally overcome the evil.
But leading up to this is some of t...more
From the back of the book: ". . . (an) allegorical fantasy (which) 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 Keepers of Wyrm, monster of Evil long imprisoned beneath the earth. And Wyrm . . . was breaking free."
Wangerin weaves into this tale a couple of legendary figures; Cockatrice, a creature that is half bird and half reptile and Ba...more
Wangerin weaves into this tale a couple of legendary figures; Cockatrice, a creature that is half bird and half reptile and Ba...more
This is a little book that in a powerful way depicts the epic struggle between good and evil through fantasy. It is wonderfully written. The animal characters speak and express human emotions and personalities all the while showing characteristics and physically moving - strutting, turning their heads, burrowing, as we know them to do. They are equally endearing and repulsive. I may never look at a hen in the same way again. The earth and sky reveal the power and presence of their Creator and th...more
Rachel read this as a young'un, and when I got it from the library, Chad and I decided to read it aloud. WOWSERS. Why have I never heard of Wangerin? His writing is amazing -- almost Old English in its cadence, always thoughtful, and yet the story proceeds as the main focus continuously. And the story is excellent; Chauntecleer and Pertelote and Mundo Cani and Wyrm are now almost archetypal in my imagination. I thought it would be a kids' book, but it is much more a perceptive, allegorical, and...more
Another classic I have just now got around to reading. Book of the Dun Cow is a really unique work. I can't compare it to "anthropomorphics" books (IE Brian Jacques), because it doesn't at all feel the same. These are not anthropomorphic animals. They are true animals with human sentience. I think the conceit is that the setting is pre-humanity, but the animals have buildings that they clearly have not constructed themselves. Perhaps they were provided by God? The animals accept that there is a...more
I didn't really enjoy this story, although the imagery of the simple animals fighting on against the dark, overwhelming waters of evil and destruction was powerful and reminded me of LotR. I also liked how the Wyrm was described as being so angry that he was kept imprisoned by humble, ignorant animals. This reminded me of the wrath of the demons in Screwtape Letters when they realize that man, a thing born in a bed, could stand before angels and not cower away the way the demons had to. Even tho...more
This book ranks very highly among my all-time favorite novels. It's an allegorical story told in a kind of romping, hand-clapping narrative that is at artistic odds with the very dark, desperate theme. It's worth reading as a study of literary juxtaposition alone -- but the story itself is riveting, the characters totally absorbing.
It's been months since I finished The Book of the Dun Cow, and I'm still ruminating on it. It will have a permanent place on my book shelf -- this little novella abou...more
It's been months since I finished The Book of the Dun Cow, and I'm still ruminating on it. It will have a permanent place on my book shelf -- this little novella abou...more
I'm not sure if I can say that I liked this book. I basically trudged through it to finish the book. For a book titled "The Book of the Dun Cow", the cow wasn't featured much. The book instead focused on Chauntecleer - a rooster. The Dun Cow does make appearances, but I'm not sure if it was enough to have the book named after it. Reading the praises at the back of the book, I thought that I would like this book better since it was a "tale depicting the epic struggle between good and evil" as wel...more
What George Orwell did for the politics of the barnyard with 'Animal Farm', so Walter Wangerin has done for the bigger struggle in the baryard - that of good versus evil - with 'The Book Of The Dun Cow'. If one reads it carefully one can find many biblical allusions sprinkled throughout the story. The heroes are flawed - faith wavers, questions remain unanswered, self gets in the way, but still the animals press on in a life or death struggle against the evil that seeks to destroy everything. A...more
Peculiar thing about anthropomorphization. It can either push a reader away immediately, or it can result in stories that are exquisitely, essentially human.
The Book of the Dun Cow lands somewhere between the lands of fable and high epic fantasy. The stakes are high, the heroes are flawed, hope is slim, and the evil is absolute. Allegory abounds, if you're into that sort of thing, but even on the surface level this is a rollicking tale. Chaunticleer's nobility and hubris are heartbreaking, and...more
The Book of the Dun Cow lands somewhere between the lands of fable and high epic fantasy. The stakes are high, the heroes are flawed, hope is slim, and the evil is absolute. Allegory abounds, if you're into that sort of thing, but even on the surface level this is a rollicking tale. Chaunticleer's nobility and hubris are heartbreaking, and...more
This book was very religiously integrated, which for me is not an issue, though some may beg to differ. Chauntecleer the rooster is the leader of the Coop, which is basically the seat of animal government. Chauntecleer and his animals are keepers of Wyrm, the embodiment of all evil.Chauntecleer on his part, does a great job of enduring the heavy burden placed upon him. The book delves deeply into questions of sin and redemption, life after death, and why God must always take the best of us from...more
I will come back and post a complete review, but for now I want to say two things:
1. I have wanted to read this book ever since I saw a review for it in a magazine. I saved that magazine page for what must be ages, but I do not recall the magazine. As the book was published in 1978, when I was 10 and hardly an avid magazine reader, the magazine in question must have been looking at the book a few years after the fact.
2. I just finished the audiobook narrated by Paul Michael. I highly recommend...more
1. I have wanted to read this book ever since I saw a review for it in a magazine. I saved that magazine page for what must be ages, but I do not recall the magazine. As the book was published in 1978, when I was 10 and hardly an avid magazine reader, the magazine in question must have been looking at the book a few years after the fact.
2. I just finished the audiobook narrated by Paul Michael. I highly recommend...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read by Theme: The Book of the Dun Cow by Walter Wangerin Jr. | 2 | 14 | Feb 03, 2013 08:59am |
Walter 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 mill...more
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“He went wordless, and wordless he sat beside her. He knew the size of her sorrow.”
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“The dose makes the poison.”
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Oct 09, 2008 01:24am
I loved this book, and your review, too by the way.
Oct 04, 2010 03:49am