This is the story of a hen named Sprout. No longer content to lay eggs on command, only to have them carted off to the market, she glimpses her future every morning through the barn doors, where the other animals roam free, and comes up with a plan to escape into the wild—and to hatch an egg of her own.
An anthem for freedom, individuality, and motherhood featuring a plucky, spirited heroine who rebels against the tradition-bound world of the barnyard, The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is a novel of universal resonance that also opens a window on Korea, where it has captivated millions of readers. And with its array of animal characters—the hen, the duck, the rooster, the dog, the weasel—it calls to mind such classics in English as Animal Farm and Charlotte’s Web.
Featuring specially-commissioned illustrations, this first English-language edition of Sun-mi Hwang’s fable for our times beautifully captures the journey of an unforgettable character in world literature.
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly was a light, easy and accessible read. It reads like a fairy tale that is rich in themes but also populated with solid characters like Sprout and Greentop. It feels magical (and vaguely reminiscent of George Orwell’s Animal Farm) with the talking animals and the wonders of nature, of growing up, of life in general. Sure, it’s a fable about animals but there’s a lot of themes in this novel that the reader can relate to: of individuality, of fulfilling your dreams and fighting for what you believe in and for survival, of motherhood and belonging. I really felt for Sprout as she fought hard for what she wanted and what she believed in and was constantly put down by the other animals.
I don’t know what else I could really say about this story–it’s relatively short to begin with so I don’t want to risk spoiling a bit of it–but suffice to say it was wonderful and heartbreaking and thoughtful. The illustrations by Nomoco were also wonderful and reflects the story quite nicely. I highly recommend this novel.
This review was originally posted at caffeinatedlife.net: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/bl2013/11/19/review-the-hen-who-dreamed-she-could-fly/
