The Fox Wife

A Novel

By: Yangsze Choo

Narrated by: Yangsze Choo

Long-listed, CPL: Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, 2024

Long-listed, NPR Best Book of the Year, 2024

This program is read by the author.

"Choo narrates the book herself with a grace of voice and manner that is rare in authors. Further, she delivers Chinese names and phrases with the intonation of a native speaker, lending another level of authenticity to this odd and wonderful tale."—The Washington Post

"Yangsze Choo again takes on narration duties herself, and delivers an enchanting reading. Her mellifluous tone enhances the atmosphere of the slight unreality of this folktale-slash-detective story."—Booklist

“Choo narrates this richly complex novel herself, her gorgeous writing delivered in a voice that is deep and precise and lovely. . . . Her tone and words transport us.”—San Francisco Chronicle on The Night Tiger

Some people think foxes are similar to ghosts because we go around collecting qi, but nothing could be further than the truth. We are living creatures, just like you, only usually better looking . . .

Manchuria, 1908.

In the last years of the dying Qing Empire, a courtesan is found frozen in a doorway. Her death is clouded by rumors of foxes, which are believed to lure people by transforming themselves into beautiful women and handsome men. Bao, a detective with an uncanny ability to sniff out the truth, is hired to uncover the dead woman’s identity. Since childhood, Bao has been intrigued by the fox gods, yet they’ve remained tantalizingly out of reach—until, perhaps, now.

Meanwhile, a family who owns a famous Chinese medicine shop can cure ailments but can’t escape the curse that afflicts them—their eldest sons die before their twenty-fourth birthdays. When a disruptively winsome servant named Snow enters their household, the family’s luck seems to change—or does it?

Snow is a creature of many secrets, but most of all she’s a mother seeking vengeance for her lost child. Hunting a murderer, she will follow the trail from northern China to Japan, while Bao follows doggedly behind. Navigating the myths and misconceptions of fox spirits, both Snow and Bao will encounter old friends and new foes, even as more deaths occur.

New York Times bestselling author Yangsze Choo brilliantly explores a world of mortals and spirits, humans and beasts, and their dazzling intersection. Epic in scope and full of singular, unforgettable characters, The Fox Wife is a stunning novel about old loves and second chances, the depths of maternal love, and ancient folktales that may very well be true.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

©2024 Yangsze Choo (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Choo’s writing is lush and the slow revelation of complicated relationships and reunions hum with tension. This is a treat.”—Publishers Weekly

“An intriguing vulpine mystery worth the suspension of disbelief...The rich Asian tradition of fox folklore provides the backdrop for Choo’s complex and atmospheric tale of identity and discovery set in early 1900s Manchuria.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Magical, wonderous, transporting and illuminating, The Fox Wife reminds me that reading can be pure joy . . . I was captivated from the very first word of this novel until its very last. Yangsze Choo is a writer of immense talent.”—Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, internationally best-selling author of The Mountains Sing and Dust Child

Enchanting and Haunting

Great settings, characters and plot. Captivating performance. I want to read/hear more by this author. This was a perfect audible choice for being in the car over longer periods of time for a time.

Delightful tale

This was a magical book, I enjoyed listening to it very much. The author has a very nice voice too.

Solid build-up and story.

The story is on the slower pacing, so I had to speed up the narration a little bit to keep my attention but considering this is my first taste into the genre, I'd take it with a grain of salt. The author being the narrator was perfect, as she could choose how names would be pronounced, what tone they should have, and give us intended personalities.

Believable world-building. Two stories slowly weaving together with foreshadowing. Top it off with revenge, hints of mythology, realistic character choices, and a diverse cast all with their own stories happening in the background, and it's a solid choice.

Refreshing world building!!

I loved this story. It was paced well . I was introduced to a brand new world and believed it 100%

Finally, From a Fox's Perspective!

Wonderful read! Having read many books with the mention or accusation of women being persecuted as foxes, it was very lovely to read the story of an actual fox! ;)

A fun and unique story, beautifully composed and narrated

I have noticed that an increasing number of ho-hum books and terrible narrators are getting 4+ star ratings and so it has been harder and harder to make sure what I am reading is worth my time. This book was highly reviewed by the Wash Post and within a few lines I was hooked in the unique storyline and perspective of the protagonist, “Snow”.

The author narrates so beautifully and the weaving of the story, piece by piece is mesmerizing. I will be listening to more by this author.

Great Story, monotonous narration

I enjoyed the beautiful writing and unique sometimes shape-shifting characters. The inability of narrator to truly distinguish and find a voice for the many characters was a disappointment! Who screens the narrator? One would think author or publisher could have done much better in choosing narrator. She did a fine job for the main character - however all the rest sounded the same. This may have been fantastic with gifted narrator - I gave up 2 hours prior to end from the monotonous narration, with little heart, feeling, or emotion imho.

The moving story of the foxes.

Foxes are special to me. I loved learning about a time that revered foxes who possessed supernatural skills and traits. I was enthralled listening to the author read the story.

Engrossing

As beautifully read as it is written, I’m excited to read more from this author.

Be careful of foxes. They are cunning.

The Fox Wife is delightful--a satisfying meal with a tasty dessert. From start to finish, Choo delivers a story packed with lore, well-developed characters, and mystery that ballroom dances to perfection throughout the book.

It is a very charming read.