This book is for people who appreciate JCO’s long winded artfully crafted parenthetical asides. Readers who are not used to her style may give up on this book. I knew what I was getting myself into, and I knew the topic was shocking and may be triggering for some readers. But there is something about JCO’s writing that will always compel me to finish the book. In the first few chapters, you know that the titular character has disappeared and the remainder of the book slowly builds the backstory of why this happened. This book will be difficult for sexual abuse and assault survivors.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Tonight on Dateline, Oates does Lolita

Who's afraid of Joyce Carol Oates? Me, of course. I read the novel Blonde over the course of a few months after several attempts at diving into it. It was beautifully written, but also forcefully, and necessarily, depressing. When I saw her latest novel, Fox , on NetGalley I instantly requested it and was pleased when I was approved to read it. Who is Francis Fox? A charming new teacher who beguiles his students, their parents, and his colleagues. Mr. Fox is less taken with his new community, but then he's always had his favorites: those prepubescent girls brought up in fatherless homes. When two brothers discover parts of his body strewn about the woods the community must begin to ask exactly who Francis Fox was and what might have happened to him

Like with much of her other work, Oates’ writing in Fox is alluring, exacting, and quite repetitive. I found that I didn’t necessarily mind the repetition in some sections, because it felt like it served a thematic purpose and in some instances presented an alternative perspective of some events in the novel. Francis Fox (our Humbert Humbert) is both seductive and utterly repellant. I was entranced as the spotlight shifted between characters and how they relate to one another on the page. Oates masterfully crafts several character sketches and I was often excited to explore a particular point of view. Middle-aged detectives, spinsterish administrators and twelve-year-old girls are all convincingly written and imbued the story with some humanity, something that is desperately needed after sharing space with a character like Fox.

At over 600 pages, this novel was one I circled several times before finally committing to reading it. The length is certainly navigable, but sometimes Oates’ prose can be daunting, jarring to adjust to as she makes revelations that land like gut punches in her distinct style. The content of the novel, as you can imagine from the synopsis, is quite dark but Fox is difficult to put down. I think because of the apprehensive way that I have approached some of Oates’ other works I wasn’t entirely expecting this book to be the page turner that it ended up being. Yes, there is a central mystery to the novel that held me captive, but Fox shines equally bright when it is exploring complicated family dynamics, trauma, and the morally ambiguous decision making driving its characters.

Trigger Warnings: pedophilia, self harm, graphic descriptions; sensitive readers may find it disturbing.

There is so much to this psychological thriller. In short, a charismatic, chameleon pedophile infuses himself into and captivates an exclusive private school, affecting the lives of students, staff, and residents of a small town in Southern New Jersey. When his car and decayed body are found in a local waterway, the story of his life unravels as do the lives of those around him.

Despite the dark subject, this is beautifully written and despite the length (600+ pages), riveting. With well developed characterizations, there are multiple POVs and dual timelines. The story is unsettling, compelling, realistic, thought provoking and one that just may stay with you a while.
The publisher’s synopsis notes this book is reminiscent of Lolita and The Talented Mr. Ripley….and it is.

Maybe I am a little burned out on Joyce Carol Oates. I only got a couple pages in before I completely lost interest.

This book was a bit outside my normal choices as i read mostly for Middle School through young adult as a librarian. The fame of the author pulled me in and i must say, she kept me reading! The insight into the thoughts of the wide range of characters is impressive! It is not a quick read if you want to really get into minds of all the characters. The author's use of parentheticals was unusual but added to the "inside the minds" feel of the book. Suspenseful, tackling a hard subject, and a major twist add to the appeal for serious readers. If absorbing different writing styles is something you enjoy just as much as the story, this is a book for you!

Horrific and exquisite, <i>Fox</i> is a gripping reminder that hideous figures become impossible to look away from in the hands of a superb storyteller.

A body is discovered early, this is a mystery at heart but also a wicked demonstration of how many are impacted by the disturbed actions of one. Scenes bounce rapidly as shreds of the plot are revealed through the perspectives of parents, kids, dogs, janitors, teachers, detectives, and our titular poet-protagonist, Francis Fox. Oates masterfully unravels horrors through metered pieces and the spotlight pauses only briefly between characters. The reader is left struggling for purchase on secure ground. Details and adjectives are sometimes served in parentheticals and over pages the effect acts as a devil on our shoulder filling in details. The cadence of characters’ unrelenting thoughts cast a trance, <i>Fox</i> overflows with incredible prose. The less plot details you know the better going into this incredible novel.

It is astonishing how Joyce Carol Oates persists in challenging us with electrifying books centered around twisted material. Apparently octogenarians can capture the psyche of twelve-year-old girls with frightening authenticity.

One of the most skilled contemporary writers of American fiction continues to soar around the track at top speed. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for a review copy.

4/5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. This book masterfully sets the stage for a gripping psychological thriller, blending intrigue, suspense, and literary depth. It paints Francis Fox as an enigmatic and unsettlingly charismatic figure, drawing readers into a world where charm and deception intertwine. The setup—an elite boarding school, a mysterious teacher with a shadowy past, and a gruesome discovery—immediately hooks the audience, promising a tale rich with moral complexity and psychological nuance. The comparisons to Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley and Nabokov’s Humbert Humbert elevate expectations, suggesting a protagonist as mesmerizing as he is dangerous. Joyce Carol Oates’s signature storytelling, with its layered perspectives and psychological intensity, ensures Fox is not just a mystery but a profound exploration of justice, complicity, and the darkness within. This us an irresistible novel for fans of literary crime fiction.

Unfortunately, "Fox" was a DNF for me. It was unnecessarily long and the subject matter was very upsetting. I've read others by Joyce Carol Oates and have enjoyed them, but unfortunately, this was a big miss for me.

A masterful dissection of a murder and an evil man. This is a hard read because of the subject matter but a brilliant and unforgettable novel.
Each of the characters held such private loneliness, and each was less than noble -- even the dog. But in the end, every person was true to the core of their being. #Random House #Netgalley

Joyce Carol Oates is a masterful writer and the writing in this novel is no exception. The storyline and subject matter are extremely difficult and there are painful and rough moments in this novel. Oates is simply one of the greats.

This lengthy story of pedophile/imposter, Mr. Fox, attempts to tie up the story too quickly after building up for over 600 pages. Characters act uncharacteristically and unbelievably. Every female character is duped by Fox, nearly every character behaves badly and gets away with it, and the detailed descriptions Mr. Fox’s molestations offer no insight to his personality or actions. Skip this one and revisit one of JCO’s earlier works.

Fox is the newest novel by Joyce Carol Oates, a hefty piece of literary fiction about a middle school teacher who is discovered dead and dismembered at the bottom of a ravine near a local nature preserve by two local brothers, in the small town of Wieland NJ. Fox works for the local Langhorne Academy, an elite private school, and as the investigation into his death moves forward, shocking things about Fox's past and current behaviors towards his students comes to light. The story is told by a semi extensive list of various narrators including Fox himself, the Headmaster of the school, several of Fox's students, parents of the students, the Police Detective investigating the death, as well as several others.
This was my first time reading a book by Joyce Carol Oates, but I had obviously heard of her works numerous times in the past. I was eager to be granted access to this book on NetGalley and experience her writing for myself. Unfortunately, it appears her writing style may not be for me. I had a difficult time tracking the various narrators and identifying who each chapter was focusing on, and overall, I also had a difficult time understanding what the author was trying to convey with this book. None of the characters are particularly sympathetic, even the young students of Fox, and often I felt the author was mocking her characters in her prose. As I said, I am willing to conclude the problem is with me and this was perhaps more of a "literary" experience that what I typically read. The subject matter was of course heavy and the conclusion of who was to blame for Fox's death is not revealed until an epilogue, which was overall well plotted and surprising. But overall, the formatting of the prose and the jumps from narrator to narrator with no clear protagonist or dialogue made this a difficult book for me to enjoy. I am rounding up from 2 start to 3 with the understanding that this could be a problem with me as the reader.
Thank you to Random House Hogarth and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this review.

This was the first book I have read from this author. It was a slow read but with an interesting storyline. The characters were well developed and the plot kept the reader interested and waiting to see what happens next. Even an interesting twist at the end. This is a book which I would recommend to all who enjoy a good fiction read.

Struggled too hard with this one. Got only 35% in and man, I just couldn’t get into it. Couldn’t care about the characters. I’ve read other Oates books and enjoyed them enough, this one just wasn’t for me. DNF

It's always a pleasure to read Oates' work and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!
Fox contained all the classic hallmarks of her captivating storytelling with an eerie atmosphere & dark academia vibes.
The investigation into who Francis Fox was was awesome to see unfold through multiple perspectives.
JCO has a way of drawing you in and making you uncomfortable, but unable to look away.

Truly another masterpiece by one of the literary greats!

This book had so much opportunity with its premise. However, it just wasn't for me. I've spent too long reading writing styles that feel sluggish and unnecessarily arduous, and Fox fell into that category. I firmly believe that there will be people who love this book. I'm just not one of them.

Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
This was horrible. I was so excited because such a famous author but oh it's so bad. 😭 12% in and I literally care about no one and the mystery has barely begun. This is all exposition, so maybe it's good if you're into that kind of writing?? But man I hate it. 😞

I usually try to give myself until 30% into the book before I DNF, but I struggled getting even that far with Fox. Although I love Oates' unique voice and prose, I just could not engage with the plot or characters. I tried as I feel a commitment to finishing my ARCs; however, I felt as though it would be more beneficial to be honest.

I tried for several weeks but after reaching the 50% mark, I just couldn’t finish this book. Part of the issue was the length (almost 700 pages) and it just felt like things progressed SO slowly. The other issue was the subject matter. I have a 12 year old daughter which is the “target” of the main character and it just hit too close to home. The writing is very good and I usually love this author, so I’m sure others will enjoy this book!

This was an intense read. I enjoyed the book and I love the way that Joyce Carol Oates writes. I always have.
This book touches on some major topics that some may find sensitive. I thought it was well written. I enjoyed the mystery interwoven and the very cagey characters who wanted to give minimal information. Many points of view and some often disturbing descriptions.
Another great suspense novel from an amazing author.