The Cows

The Cows Synopsis

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. COW

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.

The Cows Reader Reviews

In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.

• Edel Waugh - 'an extraordinary story...This was a deeply thought provoking and inspiring book with three strong women at the centre of it doing their best with what life dealt them.'
• Sabine Little - 'What starts out as a chick-lit quick read turns out to be quite thought-provoking - a book that takes you through the full emotional spectrum.'
• Carneika Washbrook - 'The Cows has to be one of the best books out there for modern women - no stereotypes here! It's is that kind of funny where you are laughing out loud, but shaking your head at the same time.'
• Suz Beney - 'I was really looking forward to reading this book, and it did not disappoint. In fact my only disappointment was when I turned the last page.'
• Julie Watkin - 'This book is engaging, uplifting and emotional. It follows the lives of three women who cross paths in their quest to find real happiness.'
• Melanie Chadwick - 'Interlinked stories of three women and their obsessions about sex and image.'
• Julie Bickerdyke - 'Tales of humiliation and personal ordeals related with humour and compassion for an inspiring read.'
• Vicky-Leigh Sayer - 'The Cows is an important novel that showcases the society we live in, how we can all be oh so quick to judge others, yet expect people to have our backs when the world has turned against us.'
• Val Rowe - 'A bitter-sweet, tragicomedy. Naughty but nice and such fun! I loved it!'
• Katie Hoare - 'This is a good book if you want to see three different cow-ish perspectives on modern society, from three different women who become friends, seen through three different perspectives, and also blogs that is meant for public consumption.'
• Emma Caddick - 'The Cow’s is a storm of a debut novel. It is so enjoyable, an easy, un-put-down-able read, which I imagine will be adorning many a sun lounger this summer.'
• Emily Wright - 'The Cows is everything a modern woman has the power to be: sassy and smart, intelligent and individual, big hearted and brave, full of verve and vulnerability.'
• Annette Woolfson - 'a novel about empowerment and women finding their own way in the world, about the love and support of family and friends and about holding your head high and doing what is right for you and the ones you love.'
• Farah Alam - 'Overall, this book was enjoyable read. It raises important questions of the how women are perceived in society, the judgement that comes with going against the stereotype and how it is important to change that.'

The Cows Press Reviews

'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

'Sometimes hilarious and sometimes poignant, but always rollicking and fast-paced . . . A feel-good read which will resonate with any woman' DAILY EXPRESS

'Entertaining and thought-provoking' IRISH TIMES

'A zippy and hilarious book... tackles some of the most serious issues that affect modern women today' THE POOL

'Fearless, frank and excruciatingly funny' OK

'A whirlwind of a story about three women finding their voice amid societal pressures . . . Excellent, funny, and decidedly unpatronising - as candid as Dawn' METRO

'An amazing book about choices and being yourself' PRIMA

'Funny and excruciating. You'll think about it for weeks!' Kristen Wiig

'I loved it. Funny, moving, twisty . . . Wow! I couldn't stop reading it' Jill Mansell

'A terrifically fun read' YOU magazine
 

'Fast, fun and fearless... a warning bell about social media and the damage it can cause' S Magazine

'The Cows looks at motherhood and female friendship through a frank and funny prism that reminds me of the TV show Catastrophe. Smart, fresh and really readable - I loved it' Tasmina Perry

'We've had Bridget Jones now THE COWS is setting the agenda for a new generation of readers' No 1 Magazine

If you loved this, you might like these...

All versions of this book

ISBN: 9780008126063
Publication date: 22/03/2018
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780008126032
Publication date: 06/04/2017
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Hardback

Book Information

About Dawn O'Porter

Dawn O’Porter is a novelist, columnist, broadcaster and designer who lives in Los Angeles with her husband Chris, son Art, 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 launched ‘Help Refugees’ in 2015, a charity that sends urgent care to refugees across Europe. She is also the host of ‘Get It On’, a weekly podcast where she interviews interesting people about why they ...

More Books By Dawn O'Porter