The Book of Sorrows

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.

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.

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.

I think this is an extraordianry book, with a great story and characters that you feel as if you already know. The fact that the characters are animals is also wonderful, because then you don't have to wonder about their race or ethnicity. This is a great book, that I found to be very uplifting, but there are some parts that are disturbing to the weak-hearted. Despite the sometimes gruesome details, this is definately a book everyone should read.

First off, you must read Wangerin's "The Book of the Dun Cow" in order to set up the background and world of "The Book of Sorrows". You will still enjoy this novel if you read it on its own, but you'll get more if you understand the buildup. On the surface, "The Book of Sorrows" seems to be yet another "Watership Down" type of adventure. But it, along with "The Book of the Dun Cow", are one of the purest investigations of good and evil I've ever read. The first novel dealt with the battle on a physical plane, this novel deals with the battle within someone's soul. That this someone is a rooster adds to, rather than detracts from, its relevance to ourselves. The emotional drama is all the more poignant due to Wangerin's use of animals as his dramatic vehicles. They allow him to use archetypical secondary characters and focus on the shades within a single soul; rather than confusing the issue with an exhaustive investigation of the nuances of interpersonal relationships. It works because the novel seeks not to investigate the social dynamics of human good and evil, but instead delves into the unvarnished, brutal, conflict of the ages. On a purely visceral level, there is one particular scene that moved me to tears, literally. You'll know it when you read it. I do not recommend this book for anyone who is weak. It packs an emotional wallop unlike any other prose I've encountered. If, however, you seek a weapon to fight your own demons, then read this tale about someone who won.