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caitlinemccann's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book is more of a 2.5-star read for me, but I'm rounding up because while it wasn't for me, I don't think it was inherently bad either. In fact, Helen Oyeyemi is an interesting writer with prose that manages to be both spare and melodic. I just didn't get her book.
This premise captivated me early on--a writer confronted by his (real? imagined?) muse for repeatedly killing his heroines. There was such strong potential for commentary in that premise that I don't feel was fully realized. However, Mr. Fox feels like a book I would read in a college course. It feels like it's supposed to be Important Literature. There are clear recurring motifs and symbolism galore, but I struggled to stay engaged.
The characters and their respective arcs always stayed a little out of reach, and I didn't know who or what I was rooting for. Though the book is initially set in the 1930s (I think) it also dallies in other timelines that aren't clearly addressed within the narrative. I walked away feeling like I missed something or wasn't clever enough for the myriad of Foxes in this book.
This premise captivated me early on--a writer confronted by his (real? imagined?) muse for repeatedly killing his heroines. There was such strong potential for commentary in that premise that I don't feel was fully realized. However, Mr. Fox feels like a book I would read in a college course. It feels like it's supposed to be Important Literature. There are clear recurring motifs and symbolism galore, but I struggled to stay engaged.
The characters and their respective arcs always stayed a little out of reach, and I didn't know who or what I was rooting for. Though the book is initially set in the 1930s (I think) it also dallies in other timelines that aren't clearly addressed within the narrative. I walked away feeling like I missed something or wasn't clever enough for the myriad of Foxes in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Classism
jayisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
Oyeyemi is such a fantastic writer, but I don't know if I actually got the point of Mr. Fox. It may very well be that I wasn't in the headspace to read something particularly clever, but even then, I think Oyeyemi may have tried a little too hard to push for a meta narrative and I just… didn't get it. There were some fascinating stories woven into this novel, and I think it would have made for a far more engaging short stories collection than anything.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Minor: Incest and Sexual assault
emory's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
4.0
Vexing in the best and most satisying way possible. In love with everything I've read from Helen Oyeyemi.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Murder
Minor: Incest
mygallaget's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
aasplund's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Violence
Minor: Sexism