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amandar9fa2f's review
4.0
Haunting ménage à trois between a man, his wife and a fox, set in Heian-era (C9th) Japan.
Based on a traditional Japanese fairy tale.
Kaya no Yoshifuji fails to secure a position in the New Year appointments at court and returns with his perfect wife, Shikujo, and young son to their now-dilapidated country estate. The discovery of a family of foxes in residence draws out tensions within the marriage.
The young female fox, Kitsune, is fascinated by the humans and soon falls for Kaya no Yoshifuji.
The Fox Woman takes a while to get going. To an extent, this allows the reader to acclimatize to the culture and time in which the novel is set. It also establishes the existing problems within the marriage: much goes unsaid and/or misunderstood between Kaya no Yoshifuji and Shikujo.
The magic truly begins when Kitsune yearns to be human. Johnson's writing is so vivid, the fox-magic comes alive, nowhere more so than when the reader sees the limits of the enchantment:
Johnson questions whether our truths are real, or only what we choose to believe?
And then, if our belief in ourselves and our world is a fabrication of our making, how much influence do we have over others?
Of course, we re-fabricate ourselves all the time:
Ultimately, is life a yearning for the impossible dream?
The Fox Woman is a worthy addition to the tradition of fox mythology - trickster, boundary-crosser, siren, most often female in the East and male in the West. Other, more recent, publications include [b:Mr. Fox|11093751|Mr. Fox|Helen Oyeyemi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362148611l/11093751._SY75_.jpg|15237931] (my review here) and [b:Fox|39712654|Fox|Dubravka Ugrešić|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522788435l/39712654._SY75_.jpg|57218192]. Author Dubravka Ugrešić discusses her book in the context of the myths of the fox on podcast Between the Covers (1 Oct 2018).
Enchanting.
Based on a traditional Japanese fairy tale.
Kaya no Yoshifuji fails to secure a position in the New Year appointments at court and returns with his perfect wife, Shikujo, and young son to their now-dilapidated country estate. The discovery of a family of foxes in residence draws out tensions within the marriage.
The young female fox, Kitsune, is fascinated by the humans and soon falls for Kaya no Yoshifuji.
The Fox Woman takes a while to get going. To an extent, this allows the reader to acclimatize to the culture and time in which the novel is set. It also establishes the existing problems within the marriage: much goes unsaid and/or misunderstood between Kaya no Yoshifuji and Shikujo.
The magic truly begins when Kitsune yearns to be human. Johnson's writing is so vivid, the fox-magic comes alive, nowhere more so than when the reader sees the limits of the enchantment:
Mother had a flea; I saw fox-her lift a hind leg and scratch behind one ear, and, like a reflection on water over a passing fish, I saw woman-her raise one long hand and discreetly ease herself.
Johnson questions whether our truths are real, or only what we choose to believe?
There were times I felt he saw [beneath the magic] more clearly than any of us, but for some reason did not care.
And then, if our belief in ourselves and our world is a fabrication of our making, how much influence do we have over others?
Even through my disappointment, I felt myself smile. Perhaps only dogs truly came when called.
Of course, we re-fabricate ourselves all the time:
‘Real'? I watched you learn poetry for him, change your body for him. What was ‘real’ about that?” “I had to. I loved him!
Ultimately, is life a yearning for the impossible dream?
And there are times when I wish for the flawless Shikujo. This one, this real Shikujo, has a temper; her hurt over my time with my pretty fox wife lingers.
The Fox Woman is a worthy addition to the tradition of fox mythology - trickster, boundary-crosser, siren, most often female in the East and male in the West. Other, more recent, publications include [b:Mr. Fox|11093751|Mr. Fox|Helen Oyeyemi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362148611l/11093751._SY75_.jpg|15237931] (my review here) and [b:Fox|39712654|Fox|Dubravka Ugrešić|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522788435l/39712654._SY75_.jpg|57218192]. Author Dubravka Ugrešić discusses her book in the context of the myths of the fox on podcast Between the Covers (1 Oct 2018).
Enchanting.
kleonard's review
5.0
A beautiful and dream-like novel about a fox who loves a man, and how her enchantments are used to capture him, if only for a short time.
teawolf's review
5.0
Incredibly well-researched. I studied the Heian period a lot in college and reading this felt so much like reading the old stories, but in a modern voice. Johnson clearly put so much thought and effort into her writing. So much detail, a beautiful writing style that helps develop each character, and then the themes... I felt completely immersed. And I love the way she wrote about the foxes' illusions. What is real? It seems easy to tell, and then you question what 'real' means. In Buddhism, everything is transient and illusory, after all.
philippamary_94's review
4.0
Another great book by this author. I think it would have been a five star read if I hadn't read the short story 'Fox Magic' - as this is basically a longer and more in depth version. I believe it is based on a traditional Japanese myth. The themes of humanity and love were written into the story very well. I really enjoy Kij Johnson's writing. It is quite slow moving at times but I really enjoy her writing so it was never too much of an issue for me. I highly recommend this.
mckitterick's review
5.0
Beautiful, heartbreaking, fascinating. One of my favorite fantasy novels of all time. Highly recommended.
phasedchirp's review
1.0
This seemed like a pretty interesting concept, but I just couldn't get into the book. Never ended up finishing it.
apostrophen's review
4.0
A Japanese semi-fable, it brings to mind Charles De Lint, and is the story of a wife, a husband, and a fox, and the magical boundaries broken and repaired in a story of love. The fox as myth is explored heavily here, and it's done wonderfully. I remember going on a real binge of Japanese mythology after reading this book.
In fact, to my incredibly western background, it was the Japanese flavoring of the book added the truly fresh magical feel to an already strong fantasy tale, and I really cannot recommend this enough for fans of magical realism or anyone who hasn't really stepped outside of western mythology with their fantasy reading.
In fact, to my incredibly western background, it was the Japanese flavoring of the book added the truly fresh magical feel to an already strong fantasy tale, and I really cannot recommend this enough for fans of magical realism or anyone who hasn't really stepped outside of western mythology with their fantasy reading.
qa9's review
5.0
While the story engaged me from the start, I found myself feeling lost halfway through. It took some rethinking then; once I saw the writing more as poetry, though, the book became so much more enjoyable--not to mention lovely.
Each named character is given realistic and respectful depth. I can't say how much I appreciated this respect! And for characters in situations usually given little to none, like Shikujo (wife) or Josei (lady's maid).
Then the setting in rural Japan is beautiful. I learned much from its historical basis--which apparently is accurately represented, judging by the research listed in the final pages.
Beautifully told. I loved the journey.
Each named character is given realistic and respectful depth. I can't say how much I appreciated this respect! And for characters in situations usually given little to none, like Shikujo (wife) or Josei (lady's maid).
Then the setting in rural Japan is beautiful. I learned much from its historical basis--which apparently is accurately represented, judging by the research listed in the final pages.
Beautifully told. I loved the journey.
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