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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
у дитинстві мої стосунки з овечками були доволі напружені – вони чомусь (може, через те, що я їм тоді поступалася розмірами) любили показувати мені, хто тут начальство. але відтоді минуло чимало часу, дитячі травми перетворилися на кумедні історії, а з овечками я не зустрічаюся інакше, ніж у ляльково-ідеалізованому вигляді, тому й люблю їх ніжно.
овеча детективна історія від леоні свонн – це якраз щось таке ідеалізоване і без запаху (точніше, запахи там є, але вони переважно приємні). у стада вбивають пастуха; стадо, на диво кмітливе й мудре, бо старої вишуканої породи, якої зараз і не розводять майже, вирішує знайти вбивцю. воно має перед людьми одну безумовну перевагу: овечки розуміють людську мову, хоч і часом заплутуються в метафорах, а от люди мало того, що не розуміють овечої, ще й переважно не схильні вбачати у тваринах розумних істот. на стикові овечого й людського, із проблем перекладу народжується чимало чарівних жартів.
коротше, з овечками в цій книжці приємно проводити час. шкода тільки, що логіка вбивства і розслідування добряче волочить ноги, нагадуючи хіба приповідку про те, що двічі на добу й зупинений годинник правильно показує час.
овеча детективна історія від леоні свонн – це якраз щось таке ідеалізоване і без запаху (точніше, запахи там є, але вони переважно приємні). у стада вбивають пастуха; стадо, на диво кмітливе й мудре, бо старої вишуканої породи, якої зараз і не розводять майже, вирішує знайти вбивцю. воно має перед людьми одну безумовну перевагу: овечки розуміють людську мову, хоч і часом заплутуються в метафорах, а от люди мало того, що не розуміють овечої, ще й переважно не схильні вбачати у тваринах розумних істот. на стикові овечого й людського, із проблем перекладу народжується чимало чарівних жартів.
коротше, з овечками в цій книжці приємно проводити час. шкода тільки, що логіка вбивства і розслідування добряче волочить ноги, нагадуючи хіба приповідку про те, що двічі на добу й зупинений годинник правильно показує час.
I felt the book lost it's way a few times. It was an okay story, but I think it could have been so much better. Too bad it wasn't as good as it could have been.
This book was not what it first appeared to be. I thought it was just going to be a clever murder mystery. A shepherd is murdered, his body found outside the barn by his sheep and his sheep (yes, his sheep!) decide to solve the murder and bring the killer to justice.
While the beginning of the book may seem rather "Babe" like, the book has much more to it. The sheep who have always been pretty content to just graze and live a simple life in the pasture are entering new territory; they are having to try to figure out human behavior, (which is not that easy when you don't have anyone to explain vocabulary to you. They think the local priest is 'God', and when one human remarks that the murder appears to be "the work of Satan" they are mystified - turns out Satan is the name of the donkey who lives two pastures over - a creature they consider annoying but not capable of this evil deed!).
There is a lot of discussion regarding humans as herd animals and whether creatures (sheep and people) can function alone/individually and what that might mean. The sheep also ponder the meaning of life and death.
Overall this was a pretty good book. At times it was a little confusing because the sheep explain things to the best of their ability but because their world knowledge and vocabulary is limited it can be difficult to guess what they are talking about. Also, because their ability to investigate is limited (they can't exactly go around the town asking questions) the mystery progresses rather slowly.
While the beginning of the book may seem rather "Babe" like, the book has much more to it. The sheep who have always been pretty content to just graze and live a simple life in the pasture are entering new territory; they are having to try to figure out human behavior, (which is not that easy when you don't have anyone to explain vocabulary to you. They think the local priest is 'God', and when one human remarks that the murder appears to be "the work of Satan" they are mystified - turns out Satan is the name of the donkey who lives two pastures over - a creature they consider annoying but not capable of this evil deed!).
There is a lot of discussion regarding humans as herd animals and whether creatures (sheep and people) can function alone/individually and what that might mean. The sheep also ponder the meaning of life and death.
Overall this was a pretty good book. At times it was a little confusing because the sheep explain things to the best of their ability but because their world knowledge and vocabulary is limited it can be difficult to guess what they are talking about. Also, because their ability to investigate is limited (they can't exactly go around the town asking questions) the mystery progresses rather slowly.
I think I read this book too soon after Watership Down, a book told from the perspective of rabbits. I liked Three Bags Full better, but some of the novelty was lost. The sheep gradually earn your respect and help solve the mystery of their shepherd's murder.
Lovely, lovely, lovely sheep! I hope she writes a sequel (or two)!
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book was published in 2006. I listened to the 9 hour audiobook (old-fashioned discs from the library). A movie is planned for 2026.
In a small Irish village, a shepherd is murdered and his sheep gather to figure out the crime. The story is told from the sheep’s point of view. It is delightful, and how the sheep interpret what they hear the humans say is quite cute. It is not a children’s book. Though I was disappointed at the ending; it seemed like the author just ran out of ideas to wrap it up and took an easy way out to finish the story. But that did not ruin the delight of the book. If you liked perspectives and anthropomorphization of animals, you will like this.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Witty humor and fun to read. I didn't even care about the mystery...I honestly just wanted to read more about the sheep.
This is one of my favorite books - so much so that I bought a hard copy in addition to the ebook. If Leonie Swann ever has any other works translated into English, I will read them, too.
I'll admit it: I read this just to get the "animal as the protagonist" square on my summer reading bingo card. I didn't think I'd like it but ended up sucked in. I like the setup and how unusual it is. It got slow in places and maybe could be about 20% shorter, but it's still interesting and funny. I didn't solve the mystery but wasn't trying to -- I was just there to enjoy the ride. I question the mechanics of the death but eh, no biggie.