The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly in Into the Forest

Jul 21, 2014 Christine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: diverse-and-women-authors, animal-fiction, literature-south-korean

One wonders if Aesop knew how much of good thing he had when he wrote his fables, that years and years later, that the idea of animal characters being used as allegory would still be current. Today, most people think of Animal Farm when discussing allegories using animals, but perhaps in later years it will be Animal Farm and the hen Sprout, the heroine of this charming and deeply moving tale.

While no doubt highly influenced by Korean culture, Sien-Ma Hwang’s story also draws on Western classi
One wonders if Aesop knew how much of good thing he had when he wrote his fables, that years and years later, that the idea of animal characters being used as allegory would still be current. Today, most people think of Animal Farm when discussing allegories using animals, but perhaps in later years it will be Animal Farm and the hen Sprout, the heroine of this charming and deeply moving tale.

While no doubt highly influenced by Korean culture, Sien-Ma Hwang’s story also draws on Western classics like “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Little Red Hen”. Sprout starts her story trapped in a cage fulfilling her heart breaking duty of laying eggs. She eventually gets out and struggles to find a place in the outside world, a place where she has longed to be but that comes with dangers that she didn’t know about it. Due to a series of circumstances, she finds herself in charge of an egg.

While the book is mediation about family, love, and motherhood, it is also a close look at nature as well as the influence of man on nature. The fictional character closest to Sprout in the history of literature seems to be HCA’s Little Mermaid. The idea of scarf ice for the greater purpose and the morality of it is something that both characters share to a great degree.

It also is impossible to read the beginning of the book and to not think of North Korea. Sprout’s journey starts in the most horrific way (and it will most likely insure that you confine chicken eating to free range). But if the coop is North Korea than is the barnyard the South? It is better but not a paradise. The allegory works because becoming who you are transcends society, even a benign one.

It’s strange considering how short the book is the large impact that it has. Putting the book down, leaving Sprout in some ways is like cutting off a limb, disconnecting your mind from something, it’s a wrenching feeling. This is despite the almost starkness of the prose. If the Narnia books are an allegory overboard, Sprout’s story is an allegory grown properly.
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Jul 22, 2014 Margaret rated it really liked it

Shelves: fairytale-myth-inspired, aoc

A hen looks out from her coop, where her eggs are taken from her every day against her will, and admires the beauty of an acacia tree. It's from this acacia tree she takes her name--Sprout--and eventually her courage leads her away from her coop and into the dangers of outside.

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is a fable about pursing your dreams despite hardship, to dream no matter what. It's simple and lovely, as are the illustrations. While I typically am not one for fables, this one has a l ...more

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Nov 30, 2015 Leah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: into-the-forest-2015

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly was a super fast read with simple language and adorable illustrations. Its simplicity was definitely part of its strength; its universal themes and empowering messages the other parts. There were several spots that yanked at my heart and the end made me sob like a baby (much like I do every time I read The Giving Tree). I'd recommend this book to anyone, young and old, who enjoys the journey of a dreamer, one who follows that dream no matter what the obstacle, n ...more

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Oct 30, 2015 Katy rated it it was ok

A bit heavy on the moral -- and cliche on the good guys and the bad guys for me to truly enjoy this tale.

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Feb 18, 2014 Sue rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, animals

Sprout, a feisty and determined hen, wanting to keep one of her eggs to raise a chick, escapes the cruelty of the coop for the cold indifference of the animals of the barnyard. She does eventually manage to raise a chick, though not her own, and we follow the two as they struggle to overcome violent, harsh conditions. Additionally, we see Sprout struggle with loss, maternity and, no pun intended, empty nest syndrome.

Sprout is one of the most likable protagonists of the year. With her defiance o ...more

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