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Title details for The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young - Available

The Secret Life of Cows

by Rosamund Young
Rosamund Young
Audiobook
1 of 2 copies available
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1 of 2 copies available
"Within a day of receiving this book, I had consumed it... Absorbing, moving, and compulsively readable."—Lydia Davis
In this affectionate, heart-warming chronicle, Rosamund Young distills a lifetime of organic farming wisdom, describing the surprising personalities of her cows and other animals
At her famous Kite's Nest Farm in Worcestershire, England, the cows (as well as sheep, hens, and pigs) all roam free. They make their own choices about rearing, grazing, and housing. Left to be themselves, the cows exhibit temperaments and interests as diverse as our own. "Fat Hat" prefers men to women; "Chippy Minton" refuses to sleep with muddy legs and always reports to the barn for grooming before bed; "Jake" has a thing for sniffing the carbon monoxide fumes of the Land Rover exhaust pipe; and "Gemima" greets all humans with an angry shake of the head and is fiercely independent.
An organic farmer for decades, Young has an unaffected and homely voice. Her prose brims with genuine devotion to the wellbeing of animals. Most of us never apprehend the various inner lives animals possess, least of all those that we might eat. But Young has spent countless hours observing how these creatures love, play games, and form life-long friendships. She imparts hard-won wisdom about the both moral and real-world benefits of organic farming. (If preserving the dignity of animals isn't a good enough reason for you, consider how badly factory farming stunts the growth of animals, producing unhealthy and tasteless food.)
This gorgeously-illustrated book, which includes an original introduction by the legendary British playwright Alan Bennett, is the summation of a life's work, and a delightful and moving tribute to the deep richness of animal sentience.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    June 12, 2018

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780525627029
      • File size: 76669 KB
      • Duration: 02:39:43

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      April 9, 2018
      Reflecting on over 30 years as a cattle farmer in Worcestershire, England, Young muses on her herd members’ inner lives and shares best practices for keeping them happy and healthy in her appealing, if somewhat disorganized, book. Her contention that “every animal has a limitless ability to experience a whole range of emotions” is demonstrated through anecdotes of her cows engaging in familial love and bonding, play, and even grief. These include a touching story about a young cow seeking out her mother for comfort after giving birth to a stillborn calf; a mother who held a grudge against Young for three years for taking away her sick calf; and a mischievous cow that amused herself by removing the same workman’s cap every time she saw him. Young also makes a case for the species’ intelligence, as evinced in their ability to make healthy eating choices. Her prose is contemplative and idyllic, featuring charming phrases like “Every old hedge has a story to tell” and folksy section titles like “A little bit about horses” and “A digression on sheep, and pigs and hens.” Although the book’s loose-knit structure can cause it to read more like a series of journal entries than a polished text, Young’s assertion that “all animals are individuals” is certainly supported by these entertaining and tender stories.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Rosamund Young relates funny and sweet vignettes about the cows and other livestock living at Kite's Nest Farm in England. The gentle and meandering style of this audiobook is charming and also provides evidence against factory farming. Young's tone, along with her Worcestershire accent, suggests warmth and practicality. One cow plays hide-and-seek with her on the way to milking; another whips the hat off a farmhand (only that hat, on that worker). Without feeling the need to convince or cajole the listener, Young is matter-of-fact when she states that the cows talk to her--to convey thanks for assistance, pleasure in being brushed, or to ask to be left alone. Young describes distinctive personalities, intelligence, and emotional connections that contradict any notions that farm animals might be stupid or unaware. A.B. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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