The Book of the Dun Cow

By: Walter Wangerin Jr.

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Walter Wangerin's profound fantasy concerns a time when the sun turned around the earth and the animals could speak, when Chauntecleer the Rooster ruled over a more or less peaceful kingdom. What the animals did not know was that they were the Keepers of Wyrm, monster of evil long imprisoned beneath the earth....and Wyrm was breaking free.©2003 Walter Wangerin (P)2009 christianaudio.com

Critic reviews

National Book Award, 1980

"Paul Michael enlivens the text with a deep, robust voice that keeps a good pace." (AudioFile)
"Belongs on the same shelf with Animal Farm, Watership Down, and The Lord of the Rings." (Los Angeles Times)

Amazing plot and storyline

I enjoyed this fictional story! Good job to the author, voice actor and editorial staff

Enjoyable

I found the story, and caracter development really well done. It was easy to listen to and I really felt immersed into the story. The only criticism that I have is that I found it hard to place the underlying meaning of the story. Its not supposed to be an allegory but with so many allegorical featuresnit was hard not to treat it as one.

from Mike

I read this book to my children. I remember their little faces spellbound at the heroism of John W. and the animals innocent and harmless but had such courage to stand and face insurmountable evils. I feel fortunate to have found it and bonded. It was inspired and inspiring, I've not known anyone who has read it who did not love it. Well done Mr. Walter Wangarin Jr. and Thank You for your time and dedication to A wonderful story.

Beauriful

A special story, and it is good to now have the Afterword to help understand the author's work.

Exceptional.

Exceptional story.
Exceptional performance.
I am well pleased.
Now on my top 5 fiction books ever.

True to common observations re animal characteristics...

True to human characteristics as well. Bless you Walter Wangerin for Pertilote. Bless you for the improbable mix of animals—surely a mix for the peaceable kingdom—made believable to the longing human heart. Bless you for the grace of forgiveness.

Wow! I shouldn’t have waited 40 years!

I picked up this book FORTY YEARS AGO (!) But it never made it to the top of my read pile. I finally got around to listening to the audio version (narrated by Paul Michael) and wow! This might be my favorite read of the year.

It has (unfortunately and erroneously IMHO) the YA label attached to it but I think that’s only because of the setting.

It’s a tale, perhaps a fable, in which humans don’t exist, animals talk, roosters rule and an evil threatens the world. You can tell the heavy influence the author drew from medieval literature and the audio version brings an amazing sense of the tradition of oral storytelling. The story could have been told around a campfire 1000 years ago or next weekend. Excellent!

wow! what an amazing story!

This story is absolutely incredible! How many truths it shows so imaginatively, so vehemently and so tenderly! I will never be the same! Let's hear it for The Dun Cow, Mundo Cani, Pertalote and Chanticleer! The Widow mouse, John Wesley, and so many other beautiful unforgettable "people" to dress and lead my soul forever!

Amazing Narrator! and a terrific story

I've read this book two or three times and its fantastic! But I'm so glad I listened to it because the reader is incredible he did a really great job! And he's great with accents too and the flow of the story.

Excellent narration for an excellent book

Very well narrated - you can feel the characters personalities with the great narration. The book is superb.