Avalon High

Avalon High cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Technical
  • ID: 5127
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • Reviews: 2
Reviews
heartwarming 4.50

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young is a charming and insightful book that offers a unique perspective on the lives of cows. Through personal anecdotes and keen observations, Young highlights the individuality and intelligence of these animals, advocating for organic farming practices and humane treatment. The book is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, making a strong case for the freedom and well-being of all animals.

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young is a delightful and enlightening read that delves into the world of cows with a fresh and compassionate perspective. Young, a pioneer in organic farming, shares her extensive knowledge and personal experiences with cows, emphasizing their individuality and the importance of treating them with respect and care. The book is filled with heartwarming stories and insightful observations that highlight the intelligence and emotional depth of cows. Young's writing style is conversational and engaging, making the book feel like a personal conversation with a friend. She also touches on the broader implications of her farming practices, advocating for the freedom and well-being of all animals. The book is beautifully illustrated with hand-drawn sketches by Anna Koska, adding a visual charm to the narrative. Overall, The Secret Life of Cows is a must-read for anyone interested in animal welfare, organic farming, or simply looking for a heartwarming and thought-provoking read.


Quick quotes

    Whenever you need to feel charmed by a world of human kindness, reach for this little gem of a book.

    Young and her family are pioneers in the organic farming world.

    The continuous narrative, broken up only by subheadings not chapters, creates a sense of connectedness (and less “cumbersome”) expressing a philosophy of raising farm animals the way we expect all children should be.

ofscriptedshadows.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2020-03-23
heartwarming 4.00

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young is a heartwarming and insightful exploration of the emotional and social lives of cows, as observed by an organic farmer. Young's anecdotes highlight the cows' individual personalities, friendships, and complex behaviors, challenging the notion that animals lack human-like emotions. The book advocates for more humane treatment of livestock, emphasizing the benefits of free-range farming over intensive methods.

Rosamund Young's The Secret Life of Cows offers a unique and compelling perspective on the inner lives of cows, drawing from her extensive experience as an organic farmer. Young's narrative is filled with anecdotes that depict cows as individuals with rich emotional and social lives, forming friendships, grieving losses, and exhibiting a range of behaviors that mirror human experiences. Her observations challenge the traditional view of cows as mere livestock, instead portraying them as sentient beings deserving of empathy and respect. The book also highlights the moral and economic advantages of free-range farming, criticizing the cruelties of intensive farming practices. Young's writing style, while seemingly naive, is purposeful and aimed at provoking a greater understanding and appreciation for the lives of cows. The book's reissue comes at a timely moment, coinciding with a growing interest in nature writing and the inner lives of animals. It serves as a powerful call for more humane treatment of livestock, encouraging readers to reconsider their perceptions of these often-overlooked creatures.


Quick quotes

    Cows are 'besotted' by and 'dote on' their newborns, and nurture and counsel them as they grow up.

    They form 'devoted and inseparable' friendships with their peers.

    The cooping up of cows reduces the size of their brains, whereas cattle given freedom of movement are freethinkers.