I’ve left this a little too long to give my thoughts properly, it’s a bit fuzzy in my head. Usually when I read a book, if I loved it, I feel the need to gush about it straight away. The fact I’ve left it two weeks to say anything about this one shows it wasn’t an “omg this is so good” book.
The Cows follows three women who are having a bit of a rough time. On the surface this is a bit of a silly (and amusing) story of the pretty ridiculous situations these women get themselves into and how it all resolves. I did laugh, and sympathise, and “root for” Tara and Cam (two fo the three women; you’re not meant to root for Stella much). The plot was pretty out there though which makes it harder to believe.
The obvious and deeper story within this book is meant to be feminism and “not following the herd”. However, what I felt the book promoted was women who are doing things “differently” while dismissing women who choose a more “traditional” life for themselves. For example, Tara is at odds with the other school mums, and her own mother (while using her as a babysitter) for not being working single mums with careers. I felt this was completely at odds with O’Porters actual views, from what I know of her, and feminism as a whole which is about equality and choice.
So if you’re wanting to read this as a feminist fiction then I wouldn’t bother. But if you’re after a ridiculous romp with some laughs then it’s pretty good.