Book Review | The Fox Wife

After a photographer murders her daughter, a fox spirit sets out in search for revenge, and, as bodies start piling up, it isn't long before a detective is on her tail.

The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo weaves a captivating fabulist tale interwoven with mythology and folklore.

However, going into this book, I think it's important to note that this is not a fast-paced revenge thriller. It's a journey. It’s a non-linear slowburn, and around the 40% mark the narrative pieces clicked together and I became fully invested in its characters.

By far the most interesting part of the story for me was the complicated relationship dynamics between the three main foxes and how the story explores their long-life spans in a changing world. The story takes place primarily in the early 1900s and follows the foxes as they have an increasingly difficult time concealing their identity and avoiding persecution with the advancement of photography and other technology. This made it feel like a very grounded, believable spin on fox spirits.

Overall, this is an achingly beautiful story about love, loss, and loneliness that will linger with you even after you finish its final pages.

Thank you, NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co., for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Details:

Publication Date : February 13, 2024

Publisher : Henry Holt and Company

ISBN: 1250266017

Pages : 400

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