I read the Tenth of December and found it terrific. This one threw me off for a time--it seemed oddly simple for Saunders. A "writing fox" describes the brutality/wonder of modern life. Nothing new. But . . . this would be a great short story for middle school and even high school kids. It's clever linguistically, it's funny, and it's got food for thought. I was lucky enough to use Junior Great Books when I taught, and I'd say that Fox 8: A Story is a perfect fit for that series. Teachers will love it; kids will love it. I hope it finds those readers.
"To all humankind, Tess was only a passing thought. Even to friends, she was only a frequently passing thought." Angel Clare is a good character. He's "enlightened," in so many ways, but when Tess's confesses her "crime," he reverts to ancestral form . . . Tess's "confession" comes earlier than I expected, right after Angel reveals that he has had a bad moment with a woman. Tess points out the similarity in their transgressions, though his is the only true transgression, expecting forgiveness. She doesn't get it. She returns to her mother . . . realizes she can't stay with her. Thoughts to suicide. Unhappiness that divorce is not possible. Departs. Tragic in that the two, if Angel could just see clearly, would indeed be a great couple, each adding to the other. Nature as a definite force involved in the tragedy. It's not neutral--when things go bad, the very skies mock Tess. Tess as unaware of the power of her bea...
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