Normally I'm a huge fan of Ted Hughes, especially when he's exploring mythology, but this book was particularly strange. That it wass allegedy a narrative rather than a group of thematic poetry definitely threw me, but mostly I disliked the over the top extended metaphor of a group of country folk attempting to explain the Truth to God and Jesus through farm animals. They're a common enough motif for religious literature, but I'm surprised that hughes would stoop to this - even for a child audience. I didn't find most of the poetry particularly engaging, nor are the observances about the animals particularly clever or unique. At least now I know to steer clear of Hughes' work for children! ( )

A bunch of people speak (in verse) to God and his son about animals. These people (all rural folk) are asleep at the time and so probably don't remember the experience upon waking. None of these folk, however, manage to speak the fundamental Truth about the animals that God wants his son to learn - so he has to explain it himself in the end. Those villagers might not have known, but various others from different cultures around the world seem aware of it!

The poems here, being aimed at children, are not difficult but they do as a whole show the hallmarks of their author and I think the book might be a good way to enthuse kids about modern poetry. ( )