10-22-2026 Latham's Last Words: Cows by Matthew Stokoe
Welcome to Latham's Last Words, where I give you my last words on vintage horror books I've read. Let's look at Cows from 1998!
No doubt about it, this is one of the most messed up books I have ever read. It's revolting and will make you question your reading choices. BUT, it also is a great representation of societal alienation, psychological and physical abuse and finally, self-empowerment through escalating acts of violence.
The main character, Steven is someone I think a lot of people can identify with. He dreams of a perfect life and being happy, but circumstances are against him. I like that he still finds the strength to find love, however messed up his relationship with Lucy was, and get a job at the slaughterhouse to help make his dream life a reality.
The foreman Cripps and Steven's mother, Hagbeast are two of the most disturbing characters. Cripps for his violence against the cows and encouraging Steven to do the same. Hagbeast for the torment she puts Steven through. However awful those characters were, I couldn't bring myself to dislike them. They were the catalysts if you will to Steven taking charge of his life, even if it was in a violent manner.
Cows is the type of book that you have to read deeper into the story and not just take the words on the page at face value if that makes sense. Looking deeper will allow you to appreciate the social commentary contained in the story. And that is what splatterpunk and transgressive fiction are all about.
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