Lamentations (The Books of the Dun Cow) - The Second Book of the Dun Cow

Go back to cat-hell Fritti Tailchaser. Run back to Redwall little mice.
I really didn't think I'd find something that would even come close to rivaling Richard Adam's Watership Down, but here it is. For one, Wangerin Jr. has excellent character development. Chauntecleer, the Wee Widow Mouse, Pertelote, Mundo Cani Dog, John Wesley Weasel--you'll come to readily recognize and love all of these characters.
But what I liked most about this book was the fact that it had more fantasy in it than similar books like Tailchaser's Song, Redwall, and even Watership Down. There's the evil Wyrm within the earth. When I read about Wyrm, I instantly thought about Uroboros, the World Serpent. I read about Cockatrice, an evil amalgamation of rooster and serpent--and thought about the twisted animals described in the book of Revelation.
When I read good fantasy novels I feel like I'm watching a movie. As is usually the case, certain scenes I read become especially vivid. One such scene that I remember dealt with Cockatrice sitting atop his Terebinth Oak, while beneath him were several thousand eggs, waiting to hatch forth serpents. It made me think of the movie Aliens for a second. Another interesting scene in the book was where Chauntecleer and Pertelote are walking through a battlefield--at night--and they stumble across a dead deer.
Unlike some fantasy novels I've read, the last battle in this book is very satisfying. Let's just say that Wyrm makes the Sandworms of Dune small in comparison. Another thing that I like about this book is that good guys do die and DON'T come back. I'm sorry, but I hate books where the good guys come out unscathed. This book is very original and refreshing, full of stuff to spark your imagination.

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.

I'm not entirely sure how to describe this story. It is about good versus evil but you could guess that from the synopsis. It is like Animal Farm only in that all the characters are all animals. I think it is more about concepts than anything. Friendship, love, guilt, self-doubt, hatred, leadership...these are all topics of great importance to the story. It was the first in a series and it was quite good so undoubtedly I will read the next.

This was a very difficult book to read. It probably won't have much impact on you if you haven't read Book of the Dun Cow first, but if you have, prepare to cry like a baby. The story picks up with the aftermath of the battle that ended the previous book. Unlike most fantasy novels where life goes back to normal, the Book of Sorrows deals seriously with the grim consequences. Into the midst of it comes a profound spiritual struggle - Chauntecleer's old enemy Wyrm uses uses the Rooster's sense of failure to lead him to embark on a course of action which will have disastrous consequences for all involved.

While I admit I loved this book mostly because of Mundo Cani (probably one of the most wondrous characters in American Literature,) it was also a genuinely compelling read. The combat between Wyrm and Chauntecleer is only the first level of the story...but it seems to go deeper than that. There are elements of biblical allusion scattered throughout, and animalistic ritual that add to the epic tone of this novel. Wangerin's beautiful language make it understandable, and while it's a formidable tale, it's a very quick read. I highly recommend it.

In this shattering novel, Wangerin outdoes himself (and most others). I have read this book over 20 times. I keep coming back to it for its amazing characterizations and its ultimately uplifting and hopeful view of human nature. It still moves me to tears every time--and I'm not one to cry over novels.
Yes, the characters are animals, but this should not be a hindrance, as the characters are deliniated with such beauty and compassion that you will recognize the people in your life within them.
Yes, you should read "Dun Cow" first. It will enhance your understanding--though this book can stand alone. To know the background for this book will greatly improve your feeling for the characters.
Though some of the images and events are deeply disturbing, it proves that Wangerin is not afraid to tackle the biggest challenges in our culture--head on. Issues of trust, faith, redemption, love, personal responsibility, sacrifice, forgiveness and more are sorted out between the covers. This book is a must for any fan of serious, challenging fiction.

Wangerin's writing style is excellent. His understanding of human nature is clear and truthful. Pride (this may be Chauntecleer's primary fault) has dire consequences. Pride is beneath and gives power to being self-consumed as Chauntecleer was with his perceived failures after the battle in The Book of the Dun Cow. This thinking and brooding of our failures, our pain, our sin leads us to neglect our responsibilities to those around us. We are led to think only of ourselves and to feel sorry for ourselves. As with the Lord Chauntecleer, those under his authority were full of fear and also became selfish. By the end of the book, Chauntecleer is released from the evil because he allowed himself to be loved and forgiven. Chauntecleer no longer needed to carry the burden of his failures and sins. But he would not allow the Dun Cow to forgive and heal him. Had he been humble and allowed the Dun Cow to forgive him, would the new sorrows have been avoided?

What is the lesson here for us? In this book, I see the importance of community, the importance of leadership, the need we have to be led justly and with love, the tragic result of self-pity, the damage caused by bitterness held within our hearts and, most of all, the power of forgiveness.

This was a great book. Wangerin writes in a style that makes you giggle. Whimsical wording and some words that you don't know the meaning of make this book just plain fun. This book is inexplicably reminiscent of the Harry Potter books in a weird and wonderful way. Both books posses delightfully fantastic plots and a distinctive British tone, more so in The Book of The Dun Cow. Although at times I wondered if a minister wrote it, due to the many references to God, lord of the universe, and the fact that Wyrm is a very strong symbol obviously representing Satan. As it turns out, I was exactly right, Walter Wangerin Jr. is a Lutheran minister, never the less, this book is a lovely romp through a fantastical Earth before time began.

Without a doubt, this is the most heart-wrenching, heartbreaking book I have ever read. The pain and sorrow--beyond sorrow!--related in the tale made me want to grab the author and shake him while screaming "Why why why?" in his face. Yet I read it to the end, and the end was satisfying. However, I don't think I am likely to read it again. I'm too soft-hearted for it! The synopsis on the back of the book (related above as "book description") is, I think, a bit misleading.

This is an amazing story that is uplifting and just plain good. Wangering did an awesome job of writing that makes you feel like you are actually there. The characters are believable and endearing, not to mention animals. Everyone, who dosn't mind a little violence, should read this book.

This book, quite simply, is amazingly profound and wonderful genuine. The characters are all archtypal but nonetheless deep and extremely compelling.
I couldn't think of a better book to offer as a gift to just about anyone I know. This is a true honest to goodness masterpiece.
If you love allegory and you have a strong sense of the need for faith, this book will take you on an amazing journey.

Walt Wangerin Jr. is a genius of storytelling! This novel goes beyond allegory to create a new world with different rules than ours (talking animals, spiritually significant cows, roosters that are natural leaders, etc), yet which is powerfully helpful in understanding the moral, emotional, and spiritual realities we deal with everyday. The Book of the Dun Cow (and its sequel "The Book of Sorrows") are on my shelf with Lord of the Rings and Narnia.

No fictional tale had ever moved me to tears until I read The Book of Sorrows. Wangerin's poetic prose and eloquent storytelling abilities return in this sequel to The Book of the Dun Cow. Through these two stories I befriended Chauntecleer, Pertelote, and John Wesley Weasel. The final third of the story was one long weep, and in the end I felt as if I had lost a lifelong friend. My only regret is that there will be no more tales from this coop. The Book of Sorrows and The Book of the Dun Cow are on my list of best and favorite books I have had the pleasure to read.

Not for children, not for the weak hearted, not for the empathetic. This book pulls no punches and is more full of hurt and gut-wrenching violence than many others known for gratuitous violence.

It certainly is moving and leaves a lasting impression - I wish I hadn't read it because I can never erase the terrible images from my mind. I didn't find it uplifting, only disturbing, and I wish I had had someone to warn me before reading it.

Sorry but I'm giving it only 2 stars because, while the author's writing is superb, the rating should reflect that the content is not appropriate for everyone.

I strongly recommend reading the author's *wonderful* book, The Book of the Dun Cow, one of the best and most uplifting I have ever read.

I eagerly awaited this book's release, having read "The Book of the Dun Cow" and loved it. Well, I started reading this book and soon found it very disturbing. I've never started a book that I haven't finished so I soldiered on, thinking there would be a big emotional pay off by the end of the book. Well, it wasn't there - at least not for me. I had nightmares for several weeks after reading this book and fought falling into a severe depression. And I'm usually a pretty happy-go-lucky person. My belief is that the author became mentally unhinged while writing this book and inflicted his intense suffering on his audience. I have never read a book that I couldn't find something redeeming in it...and I read several books a week and have for many decades. This book has pushed me away from books of similar story content and I will never forgive the author for the monstrous world he created and inflicted on his audience with this book. You'll notice that it appears he hasn't written any books after this one. At least they're not listed here.