This fable has been compared to Animal Farm and Charlotte's Web, but that seems like too facile a comparison. So many animal stories enjoyed by children have adult themes, but because The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is being marketed (at least in the U.S.) as a book for adults, it can -- and should -- transcend this analogy. When I was reading Hwang's book, The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivy immediately came to mind. Ivy's novel, which has a fantasy and fable-like quality, tells the story of a middle-aged human couple, Mabel and Jack. They recently relocated to Alaska and their dream is also to have a child. Due to medical problems, that isn't possible, and they suffer psychologically because of their unattainable desire. Meanwhile life throws every hardship imaginable their way -- illness, lack of food, lack of camaraderie, harsh weather, among others. Like Sprout, Mabel happens upon a child and her feelings of despair are immediately turned around. As with The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly, Snow Child is an imaginative and thoughtful book.