After reading The Book of the Dun Cow, I was elated to find that my library had a copy of the sequel, The Book of Sorrows. That elation didn't last very long, as TBoS lives up to its name. It is very depressing and sad, and there are so many deaths, including that of baby animals. It has the same message of love, forgiveness and sacrifice, although, Tolkien-like, we are kind of shown they don't go very far.
Amazon summary:
Seeking peace and respite after their devastating battle with the Wyrm, Chauntecleer and his wife Pertelote again lead the animals of the Coop. But their quest is interrupted when Wyrm once again insinuates himself into the lives of the animals. To defeat this ancient evil for good, Chauntecleer will have to face Wyrm again, not on the battlefield, but deep within the serpent’s lair, risking his very soul to ensure the safety of the animals under his protection.Interestingly, Amazon has this book's title as being The Book of the Dun Cow: Lamentations. I had thought the third book's title, which is also The Book of the Dun Cow with a subtitle, made no sense, but with this new title for the second book, it does.
Chanticleer has dreams that lead him to believe that Mundi Canus is still alive with Wyrm "sub terra", and that he can find and kill Wyrm and tell MC how sorry he is for the things he said to him before MC sacrificed himself. We quickly learn that both are dead, and Wyrm, in releasing himself to death, has become part of winter and all that is bad. Chanticleer loses it and plunges into his corpse to find Mundi Canus' body and take it home for a proper burial. He infests himself with little worms, which eventually kill him (a fight with a wolf helps with that too).
The Dun Cow shows up again, and this time other animals can see her, especially if they need her.
Anyway this book was so sad I don't even feel like writing about it anymore. I am going to try to track down the third book so I can see how it ends. Usual beautiful writing throughout.
Score: 3.9 out of 5 stars
Read in: mid August
From: the library
Format: bound paperback
Status: returned to the library
