A review by barnstormingbooks
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

adventurous emotional funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC  

Choo creates an engaging tale of revenge and magic. Following two interconnected storylines with flashbacks that connect generations this is a tale of love, loss, and culture. Choo makes a bold choice to explore the experience of being a woman during the Qing Empire through an almost immortal being, a fox in woman form. The history and mythology seamlessly create a vivid world. The pace is a steady if somewhat slow march toward an ending that I found satisfying if a little heartbreaking. The character development is well crafted and allows for truly human exchanges. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, always real. 

The author’s choice to read her book for the audio keeps the narrative running and adds depth to the dialog that may have not translated from the text directly, adding a dry wit and dark humor that may or may not be obvious on the page. I really enjoyed this creative and unique experience.