Rating: 
Summary: Buy this book
Review: If like me, you've thought Christian fiction really sucks, you need to discover Walter Wangerin (anong others). This is good thoughtful prose by anyone's standards. It is the antithesis of anything else you might find in the Christian fiction section. It is actually good. unlike a series of novels on the apocalypse that shall remain nameless.
Rating: 
Summary: Ho-hum.
Review: IF you are heavily into symbolism, and IF you like books with talking animals, and IF you didn't get enough out of "Animal Farm" and want more, THEN perhaps this book is for you. Otherwise, avoid it.The book manages to be preachy, without ever quite knowing what it's preaching about.
Rating:
Summary: dull...dull... dull
Review: In spite of the blurbs, The Book of The Dun Cow is a meandering mess. An unfocused and dull plot leads the reader to a confusing and pointless conclusion. Comparisons to any of the 'great' works of fantasy are misplaced. Only recommended if you can pick this up in a bargain bin at a garage sail (and don't pay more than 10 cents for this).
Rating: 
Summary: coop allegory
Review: In Wangerin's book, like a surprizing number of the classic fantasies, the animals are the heroes, and represent the various human emotions and traits. Here, we have the old battle of good and evil, heavily run through with religious overtones. However, don't let this put you off, as the eternal message here is not of guilt or the Fall, but the heart of it all, faith. Our main character, Chantecleer the Rooster (a nod to Chaucer), ruler of the coop, and unwitting guardian of the World, finds faith, falters at a critical moment, then retrieves it again upon realizing that another has martyred himself in his stead. How all this occurs, you will have to read. And it is a powerful one, in a simple, allegorical language, almost a fable or narrative. This book finds itself on many 'classics' lists, and I can appreciate why.
Rating:
Summary: WELL-WRITTEN, COMPELLING FANTASY...WITH A SOUL
Review: 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. Wangerin's prose flows along rather like a river, drawing the reader along for the ride - and it's a rewarding one. Now all I have to do is read the sequel. Speaking of which...this novel was recommended to me (and loaned to me) by a dear friend - and after reading and experiencing it, I can easily see why she was drawn to it, why she returns to it (she tells me) again and again. This is a book filled with innocence and hope and positivism - qualities I see in abundance in her. Thanks, Dren...this was a great recommendation!
Rating:
Summary: WELL-WRITTEN, COMPELLING FANTASY...WITH A SOUL
Review: 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. Wangerin's prose flows along rather like a river, drawing the reader along for the ride - and it's a rewarding one. Now all I have to do is read the sequel. Speaking of which...this novel was recommended to me (and loaned to me) by a dear friend - and after reading and experiencing it, I can easily see why she was drawn to it, why she returns to it (she tells me) again and again. This is a book filled with innocence and hope and positivism - qualities I see in abundance in her. Thanks, Dren...this was a great recommendation!
Rating:
Summary: A Fable for All-time.
Review: THE BOOK OF THE DUN COW is a highly entertaining, yet serious thought provoking novel that uses animals instead of people to tell about the universal battle between good and evil that continues to this day. Though the characters of the book are animals, the story is more allegorical, like C.S. Lewis' CHRONICLES OF NARNIA rather than satirical like George Orwell's ANIMAL FARM. The characterization is deep and the actions believable. The book is full of Christian symbolism and dives deep into issues of faith. Yet, with all the multi-layers and profound meaning, the book is never weighed down by it's depth and proves to be a page-turning, great story that is hard to put down.
Rating:
Summary: An AMAZING Book! Read it!
Review: The book of the Dun Cow is an AMAZING book! Its poetic language is completely and totally wonderful. Character establishment is big in this book, and the end is thought provoking, and makes you realize that evil still lives (and that there's a sequel!). Take messages from peoms (within the book) and relate it to the story for the real essence of it. A sample: Rue (she said) protection, Rooster's crow confusion, And one more thing to end the deed, A dog with no illusion.
Rating:
Summary: A book that will stay with you throughout your life.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This book is in now way preachy in it's language or it's symbolism. The few religios references are meant only to convey a sense of an innocent world. I find the comparison to "Animal Farm" totally ungrounded, as the moral of the story is incredibly clear and unsymbolic. Even an atheist can read this book and not be offended by the ONE chapter that mentions the word "God". But if the mere mention of the word is offensive to you, even in an innocent fable-like setting then go away. We don't want you here anyway.
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