Take that C. S. Lewis

The Book of the Dun Cow - Walter Wangerin Jr.

The use of animals as stand in for humans, as allegorical devices, has a long history.  This book is another entry into that field.  It is nothing like Watership Down, which is a hero quest for rabbits, but instead in more of the tradition of Aesop or the medieval tales featuring Reynard. 

                And Chaucer.  It owes much to Chaucer, and not just the name of the protagonist, Chanticleer.

                 The basic plot of the story is the threat to Chanticleer’s realm, his barnyard and surrounding area.  Pretty much the area that his crow extends to, for the crow is what keeps time and sense.  The threat comes from a Cockatrice and his basilisk children.

                Is it a logical tale?  No, for the fox does lie down with the chickens as it were.   It is an allegory, but in many ways, it is the best type of allegory, one that doesn’t lecture.  It is a religious (largely Christian though it is loose involved to be simply God of any type) allegory but not heavy handed in the way that C. S. Lewis’ Narnia stories are.  Chanticleer doubts and he struggles with his doubts.  He sins, in every day ways as well as in more serious ways.  The temptations are those of Smaug, those that speak to the hidden fears in our hearts.  Chanticleer’s troops doubt as well, and some are not believers, but they are not the less valued by the rooster because of that.

                But it isn’t the religion of rejection or you are going to hell.  In fact, the character of Perlcotte will raise some interesting questions.

                Gritty, realism, heart-breaking, and thoughtful.