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The Book of the Dun Cow Paperback – August 14, 2003

by Jr. Wangerin Walter (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 62 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: HarperOne; 25 Anv edition (August 14, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0060574607
  • ISBN-13: 978-0060574604
  • Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.6 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFantastical and Poetic
By Aranion on December 13, 2000
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Wangerin has written a book that begs to be read aloud, but is a joy to read to yourself as well. His use of language is breathtaking -- evoking both a classic fairy tale and stylized character study. Do NOT let the fact that the main characters are talking animals throw you.
TBODC is fable about Chauntacleer the Rooster, his Coop (and the surrounding lands), and their battle against a monstrous, mythic evil. Both intimate and epic, the story of the animals' battle are filled with heartrending sadness and soulcleansing joy.
I would hard-pressed to label or categorize this book. Many have called it an allegory, and there ARE allegorical elements to it, but it is much more (or much different) from straight allegory. I consider myself a reasonably intelligent person, and a skilled reader, but Wangerin layers his story with meanings and submeanings, many of which I am sure escaped me. I didn't care, though. The wonderful language and emotion of the story immersed me into Chauntacleer's world, and I could marvel at the depth without knowing exactly HOW deep it went.
If you're searching for a new fable that feels familiar but not predictable, one you can treaure and read aloud to friends and family, The Book of the Dun Cow is for you.
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn excellent book to read aloud, to adults or to children.
By bcalendar@aol.com on May 25, 1999
Format: Paperback
When I was 9 years old, my father read this book to me. It stayed with me. I am now 30 and after re-reading Watership Down last month I was reminded of this book, and of how good it was. Last weekend, I spent three days reading it to my new bride. We both cried. There are some people who chose to read this novel as some kind of radical religious parable. Those people are missing the point. It is a pure story of how everyone, everyday, fights against the urge to be the worst they could be; and how sometimes, with the right circumstance they become the best they can be. Without this hope, we are all alone and simply, ""marooned.''
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5.0 out of 5 starsWELL-WRITTEN, COMPELLING FANTASY...WITH A SOUL
By Larry L. Looney on April 11, 2003
Format: Paperback
The blurbs on the cover, and inside, compare this novel to Orwell's ANIMAL FARM, Tolkien's LORD OF THE RINGS and Adams' WATERSHIP DOWN - all of which are apt. The difference between this and Orwell's book - the most obvious jumping-off place of reference, with animals as characters - is, as another reviewer so correctly pointes out below, Wangerin has added the elements of spirituality and faith to the mix. I'm reminded on many of the works I've read by Frederick Buechner - although he uses human beings as his characters, I see many parallels between the gently gripping writing styles employed by Buechner and Wangerin.
Even though all of the characters in this novel are animals, the reader should be able to identify and empathize with them easily. The author has imbued them with the qualities one would expect to find in novels of the fantasy/adventure genre - they are brave and heroic and pure-hearted. Well, for the most part - what makes these characters most compelling is not their shining virtues (although there are many), but rather their `warts', their shortcomings, their thoughts and actions that are somewhat less than heroic, sometimes downright selfish and dishonorable and despicable. The inspiration lies in the fact that through their faith, and through the goodness that lies at the core of all creatures' hearts, they overcome these obstacles and manage to BE heroic when they are afraid, find the faith to BELIEVE their cause is just and that they have a chance to triumph, find the good within themselves to put aside the more petty instincts and simply DO THE RIGHT THING.
The story is a gripping one - a classic case of the ultimate battle between the forces of Good and Evil.Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsAn Eloquent and Powerful Fable
By A Customer on June 3, 1999
Format: Paperback
Despite its sometimes overtly Christian timbre, The Book of the Dun Cow is an elegantly moving and satisfying animal fable. Chauntecleer, the Rooster, is a complex protagonist who undertakes to rid his land of a heinous evil. Most of the characters are richly drawn, and the story is nicely paced. The most striking feature of the novel, however, is the language. From the sinister to the sublime, Wangerin paints a world and populates it with characters that are uniquely his own. While the novel fails to have the sharp bite of Animal Farm, the beauty and depth of Watership Down, or the power and staggering brilliance of Lord of the Rings (all comparisons from a quote on the jacket), it is nevertheless a fine novel in its own right.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA book that will stay with you throughout your life.
By A Customer on August 28, 1999
Format: Paperback
The Lord of the Rings is my favorite book. The Book of the Dun Cow and its sequel, The Book of Sorrows, come only slightly behind. Both contain courage, sorrow, humor, wonderful characterization, action and love. Both end with mixed feelings, the Dun Cow happier, Sorrows sadder. But both will consume your thoughts for days, months, years. They are nearly perfect books.
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4.0 out of 5 starsThe Book of the Dun Cow
By M. Owens on January 5, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
An intriguing, imaginative tale in which all is well in Chauntecleer's Coop where he presides over 30 hens. Indeed, things are going swimmingly throughout all his kingdom, animals included. For the time being his problems are small and few. Then a dog appears, Mundo Cani Dog, a mournful being that Chauntecleer abuses to no avail. A few small issues arise, but they pale in comparison to Chauntecleer's joy when he meets the beautiful Pertelope, marries her, and she bears him 3 male chicks. Chauntecleer's life is pretty much complete.
But Pertelope has a secret. She knows that far away in another coop, evil has been born in the form of Cockatrice, a flying serpent with a cock's head. Cocktrice, a manifestation of the ultimate evil that is Wyrm, has begot innumerable offspring of his own, and they can kill with a single bite.
Cocktrice and his minions advance on Chauntecleer's Coop, and the battle between good and evil begins. Chauntecleer feels the advance in his bones. He encounters a dun cow, but she speaks only to Mundo Cani Dog.
Chauntecleer, although outmatched, successfully battles Cocktrice and kills him. The battle surges on, but goodness and virtue triumph, although at great cost. Dog himself dispatches Wyrm with one of the dun cow's horns. Curiously, the dun cow of the title plays a rather small role in the great struggle. She counsels the dog about his upcoming fight with Wyrm, but her only participation is to provide the horn with which he gouges Wyrm's eye.
How to categorize such a work? The author's use of animals to wage an epic battle suggests a fable, while the classic good/evil clash has an allegorical bent, although the author, in his notes, insists that the work not be regarded as an allegory.
Whatever, it's a highly entertaining tale full of memorable characters.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 starsNot my kind of story

I am sure this is a good spiritual allegory and probably a good story in its own right but I just could not get into it. Read more

Published 1 day ago by homer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

An excellent fable that makes you think.

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsA Thoroughly Engaging Book With Wonderful Morals

A magical book with great morals. My dad had read it years ago and recommended it to me. I read it and enjoyed every minute. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Amariah Dixon
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Old classic. Ordered this one as a gift for someone else. It even has the original cover.

Published 3 months ago by Amazon Customer Suzie Homemaker
3.0 out of 5 starsA mixed bag

I am a Walter Wangerin fan, particularly of his Bible narratives. This book was a little outside my interest area, because I'm not big on animal tales. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Jeff Hopper
4.0 out of 5 starsgood vs. evil

A book about belief, good vs. evil, and farm animals. This novel was a quick read with many good messages, and thought provoking passages.

Published 4 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great story of good and evil. Lessons to be learned.

Published 4 months ago by Gram 1
5.0 out of 5 starsWeird Strange but important to wake up to the things going on today....

Weirdly written book. But very intesting

Published 6 months ago by The JetCats
5.0 out of 5 starsI absolutely loved this book

I absolutely loved this book. A friend recommended it and I never in a million years thought I would enjoy such a read. Read more

Published 7 months ago by Terri
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

the book of the dun cow was excellent and I highly recommend it

Published 8 months ago by Leesa Sims

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