Janet Mason’s novel Cinnamon: A Dairy Cow’s (and Her Farmer’s) Path to Freedom offers an imaginative and layered exploration of life on a farm through the eyes of Cinnamon, a sharp-witted and observant dairy cow. The book captures the daily rhythms of pastoral life, blending humor and poignant reflections on the relationship between animals and humans. This story explores the concept of freedom and what it means for both the animals and the humans who care for them, all through a narrative that is tender and unflinchingly honest.

One thing I found most striking is the novel’s whimsical yet grounded narrative style. Mason writes Cinnamon with a voice that is alternately playful and tragic, and the cow’s dry sense of humor adds levity to what could otherwise be a dark tale. I laughed when Cinnamon, spying on her farmer through a window, compares her captor to circus cowboys or when she judges the farmhands for not doing their chores properly, leaving dung everywhere. At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the injustices she observes, like the heart-wrenching scene where a young cow mourns the separation from her calf. The dialogue between the older and younger cows is raw and haunting, illustrating the cycle of exploitation and hopelessness on the farm.

The novel also excels in its rich emotional complexity. I found the relationship between Cinnamon and her farmer particularly compelling. There’s a part where Cinnamon describes feeling betrayed as her farmer wears a leather purse but then later experiences a strange comfort when the farmer pets her soft fur. These contradictions make the characters feel real. I appreciated how the farmer is also portrayed with nuance. In a telling scene, the farmer has a moment of guilt as she leads Cinnamon back to the pasture, recognizing her complicity in the system yet feeling too bound by tradition and necessity to act differently. The internal struggle of both cow and human creates a compelling tapestry of emotions.

While I enjoyed the story, at times I felt the pacing was uneven. The chapters dedicated to Cinnamon’s musings on the existential questions of bovine life are thought-provoking but occasionally meander. These parts felt slower compared to the lively scenes of farm life, like when a group of young cows daringly escape, only to be herded back. Nevertheless, the slower moments did serve to emphasize the book’s philosophical undertones.

Cinnamon is a thought-provoking read that will resonate with animal lovers, vegetarians, and anyone interested in narratives that explore the human-animal bond. It made me smile, wince, and, at times, reflect deeply on our place in the world. Mason’s writing is accessible yet deep, making the book suitable for both casual readers and those who like stories that leave a lasting impact.

Pages: 212 | ASIN : B0D7XQGV3P