Mr. Fox: A Novel Audiobook

" With a book like this, it is difficult to say whether I liked it or not. Stories that are allegorical, with meanings and subtext hidden under layers of words are admirable I feel, because I do appreciate that there is a deeper meaning, but unfortunately I don't always quite know what that meaning is. This book does push you to think about the original fairy tale "Mr. Fox", and the interplay between male and female relationships, especially how it is told in stories. The book is a series of vignettes, with the main plot interrupted by a variety of tales that are told alternately from a male and a female point of view. Each vignette seems to elucidate some aspect of Mr. Fox's (the author) strange relationship with his muse, Mary Foxe. And only later in the novel is the wife, Daphne, given a true voice, which felt a little odd, as I wished I had known her better from the beginning. But then again, I can see how it mirrors the original tale, because only after Daphne knows Mr. Fox's secret can she interact in the story. As a story, I think this book will appeal to a specific kind of reader, who likes a challenge and who is not as interested in plot and characters but ideas. And good writing, as the author definitely writes lyrical and powerful prose - her writing is something to be savored. As a reworking and commentary on the fairy tale "Mr. Fox," the author seems to have looked at many different angles on the tale, but ultimately I'm not sure what the message is, or what the attitude towards the original tale might be. It's a very readable book however, if you enjoy the different scenarios the author drops you into and the thought-provoking nature of the stories. Personally these kinds of books don't appeal to me in general, but once in a while it is nice to try something different! "

" I thought this was a tiresome, pretentious book although to give Helen Oyeyemi her due, I did read it through to the end. Every time I got to the point of abandoning it, She gave me some hope that it might prove worth reading in the end so I carried on. Basically, it is about an author's inspiration and maybe that's why I didn't take to it, as I have no aspirations to be an author. The plot consisted of story fragments jumbled up, some contradictory. As far as I was concerned, the sum total of all of the fragments added up to very little. "

" Trippy. I want to give it a 4.5, and I may give it a 5 with a re-read. I dig the concept... the parts of the conept I get. There is something elusive about it, too. Hm. A thinker. "

" I really enjoyed reading the "fairy tales" included in the novel (the literary works of Mary and St. John Fox). However, the overarching premise of the novel fell short for me. It was confusing whether a chapter was actually taking place or was a story, and if it was a story, whose story was it? It was an interesting and unique way to structure a book, and I give the author credit for her originality. It just didn't always work for me. "

" I am giving this four stars as I listened to the book and the narrator was terrific! I doubt i would have enjoyed reading this book. It was confusing until I thought of it as a collection of short stories with a common theme instead of a novel. "

" Well, it started off like a romance, and I liked that, and then it became some other beast. A fox, maybe. There were so many disjointed stories, and I liked it, despite the strangeness of the narrative. I would recommend the book for the powerful descriptions, and the expert handling of several narrators. "

" This was not quite as good as I expected it to be. It was interesting at times, though. Mr. Fox is a writer and Mary Foxe is his muse. They decide to play a game where they write different stories so the whole book is kind of a series of short stories linked together by what's happening with Mr. Fox, his wife, and Mary. I kind of hate short stories because I get really into a story and then it ends and moves on to something else. I was really into the beginning of the book (before I kind of realized it was a bunch of linked stories) and I was really sad when the first story ended. I wanted to see how that all ended. Not the best book I've read this year, but not a complete waste. "

" Really fun! I really enjoyed the embedded stories. "

" I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, so fun. It is hard to explain the story and the style, but there is a main story, but then other little stories in between-that 'seem' to have nothing to do with the main one. it is a love story-read it. "

" One of the more unusual books I've read recently. Lots under the cover. Not for the casual reader, I don't think. "

" Ridiculous. I stopped reading. It was too painful. "

" An interesting take on the relationship between author and muse. I liked it - the short story format mingled with the larger plot to the point where you weren't sure if it was fiction, or the fiction's fiction that you were reading. "

" Such a pretty kaleidoscope of a book. "

" A prickly selection. The Bluebeard inspiration is an uncomfortable place to start. The book keeps coming around to violence which I resented but I can't deny it was of a piece. I had hoped that writing one's way out of situations would have happier endings. I am still chewing on this one. "

" Hmm. Struggling to review this. Some wonderful turns of phrase and some beautiful moments, but I think I'll just leave it with I read it, and while I get it, this book just wasn't my cup of tea. "

" It helps to know that the Bluebeard story is titled Mr. Fox in the UK. A brilliant book that is not done justice by its plot summary. "

" Chose this book at random at a bookstore and was instantly delighted by it! I love when writers incorporate magic into their stories (and no it doesn't always have to be obvious!) "

" Almost 100% fantastic. "

" One of the most unique books I've read recently. It's difficult to describe, but blends fairytale tropes, black humor, short stories, and satire. Funny and engaging. "

" Definitely more of a book that you read for the beautiful language than the plot, because, well, there isn't really much plot or much sense in this book. However, it's beautifully written and is laden with creative imagery. "

" I started this but it was all a bit odd for me. I had a hard time following it and didn't care enough to try. "

" Story upon story upon story. Well written & intriguing but I struggled to find meaning - though it did come together in the end. Reminds me of "If on a Winter's Night A Traveller" by Italo Calvino "

" What the heck was happening for the first 280 pages? "

" This was a quirky novel; it was just really different...in a good way. "

" Spots of real talent here, but largely incoherent. Disturbingly overhyped. Though I do respect its ambition, just doesn't work. "

" loved all the stories within a story and the dynamics between Mary Foxe & Mr. Fox. i shall be reading more of Helen Oyeyemi's work. i am sad that this is over. "

" My review will be up tonight! ;) "

" Written beautifully, interesting, and by far the best adult fairy tale. "

" Sadly, could not get into it. Try again another time. "

" I loved the crazy bizarreness of this book. I spent the first 50 pages utterly confused, but increasingly charmed by the words and thoughts. Thoroughly engaged by the last page. "

" Helen Oyeyemi, where have your books been all my life? "

" Mesmerising! a writer who plays with the reader, and seems to have fun doing so. Loved this one. "

" Oh, Mr. Fox, you are everything I love in a book. Full of fairy tales, emotional truth, stories within stories within stories. I want to read it again and again. "