Dark dark dark dark. I've you're not in the mood/headspace for it, beware. If you are, then I think you'll enjoy this immensely. The writing is immersive and expertly done. It sucks you right into the story and the headspace of some pretty sick characters. It's atmospheric and alarming and just so so well written. A very compelling read - big recommend if this is a genre you enjoy.

A bit long winded and repetitive at times . Story line was brutal where a person who was suppose to guide and protect children was totally evil and abusive .

Joyce Carol Oats is an author that has always been in my periphery, and I’ve even checked out a few books from the library, but I never got around to reading them. And that’s a shame because this book was incredibly written. At first, I struggled with the writing, but we were also in the perspective of a dog. The writing was jumbled and sporadic and the sentences took up half a page. But with each subsequent chapter and character perspective, the writing changed and it truly felt like different voices telling this story.

This plot is not an easy plot to read. A much beloved teacher at a prestigious school has been found dead in a swamp. And as an investigation begins, all the dirt comes out. I’m not one for trigger warnings because I grew up in the generation told to ‘rub dirt’ in our wounds and all things unpleasant ‘build character.’ But I’ve noticed a few reviews that have dnf’d this book due to some very graphic scenes. And I nearly quit too. At around 10% of this book, something horrific is described and it’s tough to read. Really tough. But it begins to mellow out a little later on. If you push through, it’s not as hard. Still a tough subject matter, but not described as graphically.

The writing was exquisite. I got absolutely lost in the writing, and looked forward to picking this book up. The ending was…a little disappointing, but probably very accurate to what would happen in normal life. I wanted retribution and fiery justice, and I felt a little robbed. But that’s not going to stop me from diving into this author’s books and read more. I’m so glad that I read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. This review is my honest opinion.

Joyce Carol Oates writes stories about topics that many people don’t want to think about. "Fox" is one of these books. However, the things she writes about do happen, not just in fiction. This book may not be for everyone, but it’s a story that needs to be told, even if this one is fiction. The characters in this book are well-written. Fox was disturbing, and made me sick, but I couldn’t get enough of him. The book was definitely long, but worth it! #Fox #NetGalley

If I see Oates as the writer of a book, I'm going to read it. She's a powerhouse of a writer. An epic storyteller. I loved Fox and found it to be suspenseful and mysterious. I was entertained throughout and will think about this one for a long time. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Another sprawling and expansive crime story from the queen of them. The writing was very well done, but the characters just didn't hook me, and the pacing wasn't enough for me. This felt 150 pages too long.

DNF - This was such a tired story that was so very very tiring to try & read. Therefore, I decided early on not to do so.

While it is clear Oates is an exceptional writer, I did not enjoy this book. The subject matter is difficult which I was prepared for, but I was not prepared for the repetitiveness and length. This book could have been at least 100 pages shorter while maintaining all of the plot points. The antagonist does face justice, however, it was not enough to make the book worthwhile.

If you enjoyed reading Lolita and The Talented Mr. Ripley, you will absolutely adore this novel. If you didn't, be warned that it will be tough going.
Difficult to read? You bet! Worth sticking to it? Yes! I hadn't read Joyce Carol Oates in a long time and now I remember why. She is likely to upset you and make you want to stop reading, but you just can't. The tale begins in a landfill location in south Jersey, near the Pine Barrens, where two brothers are dumping refuse. The Healy boys are the current generation of an old local family whose ancestor may be the one who brought down the Hindenburg wi5th a rifle shot.

It moves on to Eunice and her father walking in that same location, and, eventually, to Francis H. Fox. He is a youngish, handsome man with piercing blue eyes and a charismatic personality, He is hired to teach at a private school in Weiland, New Jersey. If Pedophilia, beautifully described, is not for you. Be warned. At this point, I put the novel down and walked away for several days. But I was drawn back, almost hypnotically, to see what happens. At 640 pages, a commitment is necessary to continue reading.

Oates' characterizations are flawless. the Headmistress, the detective, major and minor people are three-dimensional. You have seen them, known them. If you get past the cringemaking descriptive prose, you will; probably guess the ending. Yet you will still be surprised by the afterward. This novel is gripping and insightful even when most disturbing. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for this (very) early copy.

This novel ended up being a did not finish (DNF) for me. I read about a quarter of the way through, and while Oates’ writing style is impressive and the suspense is effectively conveyed, I found the topic of childhood sexual assault too difficult to handle. The level of detail and the assailant’s perspective were too disturbing for me to continue. I appreciate the advanced reader copy (ARC) and would urge readers to check for content warnings (CWs) before starting, especially if they have concerns about the subject matter.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75 (4.75/5)

Okay, I am obsessed with this book. Fox by Joyce Carol Oates is everything I didn’t know I needed—a dark, twisty, psychological thriller with a mysterious, seductive antihero at its center. Francis Fox, the charismatic teacher at an elite boarding school, is a character you’ll love to hate (or maybe just secretly love?). From the moment he arrives, he pulls everyone into his orbit, and when he vanishes, all the secrets start spilling out.

Oates’s writing is incredible—so atmospheric and intense, I couldn’t put it down! It’s like she took the creepiness of Patricia Highsmith and mashed it up with the sophistication of a classic mystery. And that ending? Mind. Blown.

If you’re into morally gray characters, clever twists, and stories that leave you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page, grab this one. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn or anyone who loves a dark literary thriller.

(4.5 rounded down) Man, I forgot how absolutely gutting Joyce Carol Oates’ work can be. This is a book about secrets, and not light ones, either. Our plot revolves around an English teacher at a private academy, Francis Fox, and just exactly who he is after his car is discovered in a pond and dismembered body parts are found near the car. Oates is an extremely prolific writer and her prose is razor-sharp. She doesn’t hold back and as this book is over 600 pages, it is a lot to take in. Fox is a character I think only Oates could bring to life. The synopsis likens him to Tom Ripley and that feels apt; he is cunning and insidious and manipulative. All of the content warnings for this one. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

Excellent read. Great descriptive language and prose as Oates always delivers. The characters were well developed and plot well thought out.

DNF - while I appreciate the advanced copy, the story line was just too disturbing for me.
Thank you to NetGalley

Good lord, this book!

First, despite the fact that the summary makes it pretty clear exactly what sort of dark and disturbing secrets we can expect to read here, I’d kind of forgotten that these are secrets as written by Joyce Carol Oates. And in pure Oates fashion, they are offered in such a sinuous way that each and every chapter just ends up more and more of a gut punch. The novel hurts.

If you’re a content warning sort of a reader, consider yourself WARNED (caps fully intended) – this can be very hard to read.

It’s also intelligent, insidious, and an absolute page turner of a novel. Oates has a habit of giving us all the darkest parts of characters – the things you really don’t want to think about. And at 600+ pages, you’re going to think about those things…a lot.

The ending is satisfying. It’s right.

The book will stay with me. Not sure I’m thrilled about that, but it was definitely the kind of book that will keep you reading!

• ARC via Publisher

The SA of a child in the perspective of the abuser was too much for me. DNF at 10%, not something I could personally get through.
The story seems interesting and I can sense the possible revenge plot coming. But without knowing if there are more scenes described like the first encounter, I cannot keep reading.