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A review by catnipped
The Fox Woman by Kij Johnson
Did not finish book.
Though this novel has many strengths, I couldn't bring myself to finish it.
As it progressed, I became more and more disinterested in the actual story, because I was so caught up in different aspects in the novel. It became so convoluted, maybe on purpose, as I tried to work through the whole theme of fantasy vs reality.
Mild Spoilers from here on (as I only got half way through the novel to begin with):
Yoshifuji himself became exceedingly annoying. At first, I related to his depression about losing the spark for life, especially in comparison to his son, but this feeling didn't last much longer following his son's departure to the capital.
Shikujo, for her part, was the character I was least looking forward to when I began The Fox Woman, but she quickly became my favorite and the one I could relate to most. However, even she wasn't enough to make me continue reading.
As I said, this novel did have its strengths: Johnson can create quite a picture with imagery and it is obviously well researched and shines a light on this period of Japanese history.
But, it generally was not what I was expecting or hoping for. As I was familiar with Kitsune or Fox Woman myths, I didn't think the novel would go about in this manner, and I was disappointed for this reason.
Also, the graphic sex scenes (incest, bestiality) and the way they were written made me exceedingly disgusted and uncomfortable. I am not a prude, but the writing itself was not erotic or enjoyable in any manner.
I understand that they might be a more realistic portrayal of fox relations, but I believe they could have been avoided in a novel or at least portrayed in a different manner.
In general, I wish many pieces of the novel had been executed differently.
As it progressed, I became more and more disinterested in the actual story, because I was so caught up in different aspects in the novel. It became so convoluted, maybe on purpose, as I tried to work through the whole theme of fantasy vs reality.
Mild Spoilers from here on (as I only got half way through the novel to begin with):
Spoiler
I liked Kitsune in the beginning. I wanted to learn about her fascination with being human and leaving behind this life that she should have been satisfied with as a fox. Her grandfather was an interesting character as well, perhaps more interesting than her. However, as she transforms into a human, it became so dull to read through her day to day life as a woman. Even she was bored. And so selfish, because she never recognized the sacrifices her family made for her to be humanYoshifuji himself became exceedingly annoying. At first, I related to his depression about losing the spark for life, especially in comparison to his son, but this feeling didn't last much longer following his son's departure to the capital.
Shikujo, for her part, was the character I was least looking forward to when I began The Fox Woman, but she quickly became my favorite and the one I could relate to most. However, even she wasn't enough to make me continue reading.
As I said, this novel did have its strengths: Johnson can create quite a picture with imagery and it is obviously well researched and shines a light on this period of Japanese history.
But, it generally was not what I was expecting or hoping for. As I was familiar with Kitsune or Fox Woman myths, I didn't think the novel would go about in this manner, and I was disappointed for this reason.
Also, the graphic sex scenes (incest, bestiality) and the way they were written made me exceedingly disgusted and uncomfortable. I am not a prude, but the writing itself was not erotic or enjoyable in any manner.
I understand that they might be a more realistic portrayal of fox relations, but I believe they could have been avoided in a novel or at least portrayed in a different manner.
In general, I wish many pieces of the novel had been executed differently.