Fox 8: A Story

Completely unexpected. I had no prior knowledge of the author or the story, just saw it on Amazon and figured I should probably read it— considering I have a thing with foxes.

I studied English literature, creative writing, and environmental philosophy in school— all of these topics were, somehow, concisely approached within this little story.

I think the deliberate misspelling (since the narrator is, well, a fox and he learns our language solely auditorial) might be offputting to some, or gratuitous. But I think it would have seemed odd if the majority of the language wasn’t misspelled. The spelling errors are a part of what gives Fox 8 his “voice,” so to speak.

The story is sad. And it’s sad because, despite being about a fox, these painful experiences (and subsequent sorrow) are practically synonymous with those we, as human beings, have gone through. More importantly though, it encapsulates that moment of lost innocence, that transition from child to adult, when we first notice the irreconcilable unpleasantness and sadness in the world— everything no longer appears fun or amazing. Fox 8 stands in as a surrogate childlike view and, his despair, a reflection of that painful component of aging and maturing.

By mistake I ordered two of these (gotta make sure the default setting is 1, not 2), but I'm sure glad I did. First I read it aloud with my 21-year-old daughter, taking turns, one page each, alternating. She asked me if she could keep it, to read with her peers. "Sure, Hun! I have another one!" Then I gave the other to my brother to read aloud with his grandkids. He said, "Yeah, but I'd like to see you reading to them." So I'm going to get a third copy.

Because of the inventive spelling, it is best read with the listeners sitting next to the reader.

There isn't enough room to describe just how much I HATE this book. Do yourself a massive favor and skip it (order the utterly charming The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip instead). Saunder's self-indulgent phonetic-style "fox spelling" gets annoying REALLY fast, but the story is the real loser. Heavy, depressing and disappointingly stale. There is nothing new or insightful and it seeks to send a message with a sledgehammer rather than cunning lightness. It is hard to believe both books are from the same author! I gift Frip to general book lovers as well as every new parent in my sphere, but I'll probably burn FOX 8 just to make sure I'm not unwittingly responsible for wasting someone else's time. Not clever, not funny, not useful as a morality tool.

Horrible story. Violent and clichéd. I discarded the book shortly after reading.

I first heard the author of this story reading an excerpt on NPR and I just HAD to have the book. And also had to get a copy for my mom for Christmas. There are the cutest illustrations I did not expect. Also (for no particular reason) I thought the book would be longer, but its pretty short so great for children and adults!!!

I would give this "buk" zero stars if I could. The description is misleading, as are the featured 5 star reviews. I returned the copy I bought along with a scathing review, and got my money back, while the review disappeared into the ether. If like reading a story written in pidgin English about starving foxes, dead foxes and habitat destruction you will love "Fox 8."

Fox 8 is a very short book and as such my review will too be brief.

Before I begin though, I will warn my dear readers that there is animal death and cruelty in this story. It is brief but it could also be enough to put some readers off.

Told by a young fox who refers to himself as Fox 8, the same titled book offers a brief glimpse of what can happen when nature is forced out as humans move in.

At times, the story comes across as cute and amusing. For example, when Fox 8 and Fox 7 enter the shopping mall. They are astounded by what they see and believe themselves to be incredibly lucky by the food they find. Food that their pack desperately needs.

At other times, the story becomes sad and even violent. Fox 8’s pack is shown as slowly starving with some even dying. When Fox 8 and Fox 7 leave the shopping mall with their cache of food and come across some humans, another incident occurs. It is enough to make Fox 8 question why he originally found humans so interesting.

Another thing that could be off-putting to some readers is the language used by Fox 8 to tell his story. He only learned the language by listening to a mother reading to her children and as such his spelling is awful. The words and syntax are akin to an elementary school child. While I had little trouble with it, I can see where some might have problems trying to follow along.

Overall, I liked Fox 8. It is a very short book – I read it in less than half an hour – but it’s impact lasts. Certainly not a book for every one, but one I can recommend.

This book is a complete and utter joy. A pleasure to read from beginning to end.

Loved the fox's funny voice, and the story arc of the horrible shopping mall.

Pretty good in some places about using the logic a fox might-- Fox 8 explains that foxes are not sly, but very straightforward with the chickens, for example.

Which is why, it was so disappointing, in a 40 odd page book, to find fat shaming. From the fox. The fox names include WhySoHefty and SmallNose/Alert+Funy, and take a wild guess which one Fox 8 chooses as a partner. Yup, and no major female characters, either; his partner only exists to be his partner and both Fox 8's good friend and their great leader are male.

Yes, we can fantasize that foxes can learn to speak and to write but it is just TOO FANTASTIC to imagine gender parity or that animals don't fat-shame.

Heartbreaking yet funny. Wonderful poignant little book.