Helen Oyeyemi's "Mr. Fox" - A Magical Tale of Love, Loss, and Redemption

L. Brown: I struggle sometimes to rate books, because some books just want to entertain, and if they succeed at that I might give them 4 stars. But some books try things infinitely more difficult and don’t succeed. So do I rate them down because they didn’t accomplish something hard?

This book is the equivalent of an Olympic gymnast attempting the most difficult vault and failing. I admire the attempt, even if it didn’t work.

There is a lot that is interesting here. I loathed St. John, but that’s kind of the point. I think the structure of the narrative is interesting and it’s definitely well written. I just am not sure what I’m supposed to take away from the story.

United States on Dec 23, 2022

lordvalumart: The blurb tells us that Mary Foxe is the imaginary muse of 1930s writer St John Fox, but before long it’s obvious things aren’t that simple. As the two take turns to contribute chapters to the novel the lines between fiction and reality, or between author and characters, disappear. Who is a creation of whose imagination? Somewhere someone is fleeing from something, and weaving the story as a vehicle for their dissociative fugue. The outcome is a fractured stream of magic and symbolism.

Foxes, foxgloves, and allusions to fairy tales abound. Bluebeard features in several forms, which encourages a reading along the lines of woman-as-victim-man-as-oppressor. But as with Angela Carter, that other virtuoso of fairy tales, Helen Oyeyemi is too sharp to rely on stereotypes. There is a victim here, but there is also complexity and sympathy.

The result is clever yet not self-consciously so, fun yet not frivolous, a dance yet deadly serious.

United Kingdom on May 08, 2020

Tracy King: Extraordinary novel exploring the female muse and the male ‘art’ psyche.

United Kingdom on Jun 10, 2018

matt: "😲" this is all i need to say but i need 19 more words to make this a real review

Canada on Sep 22, 2016

T L DICKSON: Great condition and all, but very strange storyline. I did enjoy it, but it wasn't what I expected after reading one of her other books

United Kingdom on Apr 26, 2015

Iris: witty :)

United Kingdom on Jan 16, 2015

tsoden: I picked up this book on a whim. It was on sale and I happen to really like foxes. So it was great to find out, in the end, that my purchase was worthwhile for this is a very good book.

It is dark at times. And it gets confusing. If you like to passively read a story, and don't like a little confusion then this will probably not be a good book for you.

The author tells her story with vignettes, so you are easily pushed on from one chapter to the next. However, these vignettes are not all chronological, and you do have to orient yourself a few times. Some are stories written by one of the main characters St. John Fox, other chapters are of his life and some are from the perspective of his muse Mary. Despite the changing perspective, the book was written beautifully. The stories with little bearing on the plot have actually stayed with me more than the overall story.

I don't think this is the kind of book you will want to bring to the beach however. If you are looking for a light summer read maybe look elsewhere. This book is best enjoyed on a cloudy day with a warm cup of chai tea. At least I think so!

United States on Jul 01, 2014

Jill I. Shtulman: Just when I begin to think there’s little new under the sun, along comes Helen Oyeyemi and shatters all my perceptions about how a story can be narrated. This young, brave, gifted Nigerian-born British writer is a modern day Scheherazade, weaving her tales in the form of a most unconventional love triangle: St. John Fox, a “serial killer” writer (the women in his books always die), a muse (or is she?) named Mary Foxe, and his wife Daphne.

The book is loosely based on the legend of Bluebeard – a feared and shunned nobleman who murdered multiple wives after they enter his forbidden room. His last wife-to-be is able to escape her fate.

In Helen Oyeyemi’s book, the misogynous Mr. Fox is confronted by Mary Foxe and delivered a challenge: to join in on her game to engage in competition, to avoid pat endings and to create a story that breaks the mold that he’s become all too comfortable with.

The stories are at first slightly self-conscious and increasingly become richer and richer as the characters (Mr. Fox, Mary Foxe and Daphne) begin to connect in surprising ways, across time periods and genres.

In fact, this book is hard to pigeonhole....

United States on Dec 29, 2013

Jodi H: First and foremost the language in this book is gorgeous.

Ms. Oyeyemi is a wordsmith and skillful one at that. There is a flirtation in how she chooses her words and there is a grace.
Mind you this was not an easy book for me to read. At times it flowed effortlessly and other times I had to catch myself
and ask, what is going on? This is not a book to read on the train or in interrupted gaps. Its a book to savor,
to read every word and enjoy the artful playfulness and dalliance the author has with the 3 characters.

As I write this I'm reminded that this book is not for everyone. You need patience and understanding that this is probably unlike any book you have ever read.
There is a number of distinct stories within this story, but that is the muse playing with you - to keep you guessing.
And the dark side that redeems itself now and again is simply unexpected and reminds me how dark the original fairy tales were.

Overall, I like this book so much I'm giving it to 2 different friends this year for Christmas, so we can talk about it.

United States on Nov 29, 2011