For The Millions, Caroline Crampton explores the prevalence of “sheep lit” (writing about shepherds and sheep) in 20th century British literature. According to Crampton, writing about sheep shows a relationship between the way shepherds “interact with their land,” and their personal histories. The result is writing that does not render details into “extravagant, writerly prose,” but rather writing that is “straightforward” and “connected to the place that inspired it.”
Zen and the Art of Shepherding
Jake Slovis
Jake Slovis earned his MFA in Writing from Rutgers University, where he now teaches English Composition. He is a second-generation Argentine American and has spent significant time living and writing in Buenos Aires. He currently resides in Brooklyn.