Under the Henfluence

Tove Danovich is a freelance journalist who has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Ringer, Backyard Poultry Magazine and many others. She is a former Midwesterner, turned New Yorker, who now lives in Portland, Oregon. She keeps eight chickens in her suburban yard and hopes to add more. Their Instagram @BestLittleHenhouse with over 32,000 followers, is more popular than hers. You can find her on Twitter @TKDano.

‘Share[s] the life-enhancing joys of the humble hen’ Sunday Times‘A call to arms, but in an entertainingly written, well-paced way. It certainly makes you think.’ Kate Green, Country Life‘Under the Henfluence clocks our obsession with chicken-keeping. Highbrow / Brilliant.’ New York Magazine ‘Not intended to be a how-to for amateur poultry breeders, Danovich’s work does offer broad and compelling insight into how raising chickens transforms and enriches human lives.’ Booklist‘The author writes with warmth and candour, sharing her obvious love for her feathered pets … Informative and engaging’ Bookmunch‘A heartfelt account of raising pet hens … [that] endears and provides an intimate look at animals more often thought of as food than friends … Anyone who’s mulled the possibility of setting up a backyard coop will find this the next best thing.’ Publisher’s Weekly‘A delightful peep into an old business, refreshed for a new generation’ Aimee Nezhukumatathil, New York Times bestselling author of World of Wonders‘A moving tribute to the world’s most numerous birds. It will change the way you look at chickens.’ Hal Herzog, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why it’s so hard to think straight about animals‘Danovich’s book is a gem’ Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals‘A realistic and immersive look into our relationship with those beings in our care … Under the Henfluence makes it impossible for the reader not to think of – and possibly love – the idea of chickens in a new way.’ Mira Ptacin, Modern Farmer‘The company of hens could be the best cure for depression … Their jostling energy and distinct personalities bring joy … Interweaving reflection and reportage, Danovich leads us down [these and other] bizarre byways’ Spectator