The Fox Wife

I do like stories about mythological foxes, and used one in a project for work, so when I saw the clever cover art for Yangsze Choo's The Fox Wife I had to invest in a new copy. This turned out to be a very good way to spend book money.

The historical fantasy story begins in 1908 China, and told from two points of view: Bao, an older detective investigating a strange death, and Snow, a shape shifting fox who wants revenge for her murdered child. At first I wasn't sure I'd like it -- the fox's grief and the detective's rapidly declining health both seemed depressing and dark -- but the story does capture and hold the attention by not focusing on either but absorbing you into their adventures. Eventually Bao and Snow meet, and then everything they have been chasing comes to an unusual climax that is unexpectedly upbeat.

Upsides: The writing is beautiful, spare, and wonderfully experienced. This may be the author's third novel but she writes like she's got a few dozen under her belt. Hopefully NY doesn't ruin her. I liked everything about the settings, which were presented in full color and with lovely, rich details that brought them alive. The pacing is quite good.

Downsides: Some of the sensory descriptions were a bit lacking by comparison to the visual. The characterizations of the secondary cast were either slightly too intricate or somewhat two-dimensional, but I expect true experience will improve that in future books. Snow was focused one moment and then suddenly all over the place, so I didn't trust her character or particularly like her (that might have been intentional on the part of the author.)

Waffles: These two are eh problems that I really don't think are problems. I liked Bao much more as a protagonist, and I don't think I was supposed to. I won't spoil the ending but it is a bit Harlequin Romance-ish, which I actually prefer but may annoy other, more hardened readers.

Triggers: Some. There are frequent depictions of the often dismal lives of Chinese women at this time, including the terrible way one is murdered by her husband, that triggered me a bit. The murder of the baby fox was thankfully understated and not often referenced, but hard to get through without bringing back sad memories for anyone who has also lost a child.

Overall I think The Fox Wife is a beautifully written story that deserves a chance. I hope you'll give it one.