The Cows by Dawn O’Porter
*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*
Fearlessly frank and funny, the debut adult novel from Dawn O’Porter is the book that everybody needs to read right now.
A piece of meat; born to breed; past its sell-by-date; one of the herd.
Three women. A whole world of judgement.
Tara, Cam and Stella are very different women. Yet in a society that sets the agenda, there’s something about being a woman that ties invisible bonds between us.
When one extraordinary event rockets Tara to online infamy, their three worlds collide in ways they could never imagine – and they discover that one woman’s catastrophe might just be another’s inspiration.
Through friendship and conflict, difference and likeness, they’ll learn to find their own voices.
Because sometimes it’s OK not to follow the herd.
My Review
I was interested to read this book because it was so topical. Social media, blogging, trolls and viral videos all sounded intriguing to me as a blogger myself although I didn’t relate to Cam, the blogger at all. The other characters were Tara a single, working mother and Stella who is grieving for her twin sister who sadly died.
Many issues were covered in The Cows, some which I haven’t seen discussed openly anywhere before. I wasn’t offended by some of the subject matter but I have to say that I found parts distasteful.
I was both amused and saddened at different points in the book and many feminist subjects are highlighted. ‘Don’t follow the Herd’ is a commendable motto for all women and the theme of daring to be different and the comradeship of women is strong and thought-provoking.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly.
About the Author
DAWN O’PORTER is a novelist, columnist and broadcaster who lives in Los Angeles with her husband Chris, sons Art and Valentine, cat Lilu and dog Potato. She has made numerous documentaries about all sorts of things: polygamy, childbirth, Geisha, body image, breast cancer and even the movie Dirty Dancing. She is the critically acclaimed author of Paper Aeroplanes and Goose.
Dawn hosts and produces ‘Get it On’, a podcast where she interviews interesting people about why they wear what they wear. She also collects vintage clothing, and admits to writing her best work when she is wearing a bonkers seventies dress and her hair is a voluminous bob.
‘A funny, smart, kind, incredibly truthful book about women . . . all the shame, judgement, envy and love that being alive and female entails’ Polly Vernon
‘Fierce and funny’ Bryony Gordon, DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘Smart and insightful’ RED
‘Dawn’s writing is addictive – fearless, beyond feisty and seriously funny’ Mel Giedroyc
‘O’Porter’s wise and witty narrative has many thought-provoking situations and concepts. Different, poignant and smart – I loved it’ Sara Lawrence, DAILY MAIL
‘Compulsive… I can’t wait for the next one’ Shappi Khorsandi
‘Feisty characters and fearless prose, THE COWS is totally addictive’ HEAT
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