Holy Cow is no Hank Moody novel, nor a Fox Mulder conspiracy; it resembles nothing of David Duchovny’s famous characters. Instead, it’s a wholly unique “dairy tale” (if that makes you wince, it’s not for you at all) about Elsie Q, a cow who flees the farm after witnessing industrial slaughter on TV.
Elsie is a distinct narrator: speaking in the cutting-edge teenage-speak of OMGs and amazeballs, she’s not averse to postmodern asides to the reader signposting jokes or relating her editor’s reluctance for the book to tackle big issues.
With that madcap-and-moralising tone, you need a good wit to get you through and Duchovny’s carries you through the preachy parts to deliver a fun and diverting tale.
