The Foxes of Harrow.[Historical novel of pre-Civil War New Orleans,1825-1860]. *Author's 1st book!

by Frank Yerby

hardcover

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Civil War, Classics, War

408 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1946

About the author

Born in Augusta, Georgia to Rufus Garvin Yerby, an African American, and Wilhelmina Smythe, who was caucasian. He graduated from Haines Normal Institute in Augusta and graduated from Paine College in 1937. Thereafter, Yerby enrolled in Fisk University where he received his Master's degree in 1938. In 1939, Yerby entered the University of Chicago to work toward his doctorate but later left the university. Yerby taught briefly at Florida A&M University and at Southern University in Baton Rouge.

Frank Yerby rose to fame as a writer of popular fiction tinged with a distinctive southern flavor. In 1946 he became the first African-American to publish a best-seller with The Foxes of Harrow. That same year he also became the first African-American to have a book purchased for screen adaptation by a Hollywood studio, when 20th Century Fox optioned Foxes. Ultimately the book became a 1947 Oscar-nominated film starring Rex Harrison and Maureen O'Hara. Yerby was originally noted for writing romance novels set in the Antebellum South. In mid-century he embarked on a series of best-selling novels ranging from the Athens of Pericles to Europe in the Dark Ages. Yerby took considerable pains in research, and often footnoted his historical novels. In all he wrote 33 novels.

Reviews

[Irene Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars? I stand by it. This book, published in 1946, seven years after GONE WITH THE WIND, is the superior Civil War novel. Both are page-turners, and both merit the usual flap-copy adjectives about epic works-- sweeping, panoramic, multi-generational. But a White woman wrote GONE WITH THE WIND, and her Southern men are presented as heroes, and slavery is largely accepted as a system of patronage. THE FOXES OF HARROW was written by a Black man, and the men in it-- Northern, Southern, black, white-- have far more complexity as characters. So do the women, of course; he's a sensitive writer.

The protagonist is an immigrant, a gambler who left Ireland as a bastard and outcast. Stephen Fox rises to become the patriarch of Harrow, a New Orleans plantation. He is sympathetic to the Northern cause, but he owns slaves. Fox's son and a slave boy called Inch are raised together, only to become mortal enemies, one of them hot-headed, the other philosophic. There is redemption, but it is not simple. Nothing is simple. Voodoo is here. Slave markets. Miscegenation. The quadroon balls are described. Yellow fever. Descriptions of Civil War battles are hard to read because they are so raw and believable-- especially the Battle of Fort Pillow, of which I knew nothing. Nor had I ever heard of the infamous Woman Order 28 of May 15, 1852.

And the language is both beautiful and powerful: "It was lost finally. And no man could say exactly the day or the hour, for there were dozens of days, thousands of hours... It had been lost years ago at Shiloh Church and Donelson, at the Seven Days and Second Bull Run, at bloody Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville... It was lost, perhaps, when old Edmund Ruffin yanked the lanyard of the first gun at Charleston Harbor sending the roundshot screaming upon Sumter."

The book is, I suppose, technically a bodice-ripper, which makes it fun, of course. But the lust is real, not blushingly romantic. Randy young men marry teen-age girls. Three men from Harrow -- a father, a son, and a slave-- share one mistress, a beauty of mixed race who bears one of them a son. Another woman, white, believing her husband killed in battle, prostitutes herself to Union soldiers, to barter for medicine to bring to Confederate soldiers dying of gangrene.

THE FOXES OF HARROW became the first best-seller written by a Black author, Frank Yerby. An unjustly forgotten book, it doesn't even have a Wikipedia entry (though Yerby does). The 1947 Hollywood movie version has an entry, too, and I've seen the film, and it's not bad, but if it weren't for the title, I'd never know it was based on this brilliant, bold, and sensitive novel.

[Melanie♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished a re-read of this book. I read it for the first time more than 25 years ago. A friend happened upon a reference to it in another book and that prompted her to read it for the first time and for me to do a re-read.
My first read was my mother's copy so very long ago. I was fascinated by the book and characters. I still felt the pull of this book so many years later and I glad that I paid it another visit.

[Denis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A massive runaway historical best-sellers during the forties that, like so many others, became a Hollywood superproduction, The Foxes of Harrow is a fascinating and, for its time, quite daring piece of popular literature : Yerby, an African-American author, decided to write what, until then, was only done by white writers : a tumultuous epic about the old South. The result remains today wonderfully entertaining, but also truly intriguing and interesting. Yerby, who’s a good writer, if not an exceptional one, cleverly uses all the tricks that can turn a convoluted story into a page turner, and he knows how to craft a quality potboiler – seemingly respecting the expected codes of a specific genre, but of course, transcending them and undermining them. As an African-American man, there was no way Yerby was going to write a traditional antebellum romance. He brilliantly bends the genre he’s exploring, he avoids all the traps of the Southern myths, and he introduces us to a series of complex African-American or mixed-race characters that, as the story progresses, slowly but surely take over the narration. In that sense, Yerby is using, at a time when such things were probably extremely rare, the trappings of popular fiction to give us a book infused with the visions and voices of characters whom readers of the era were not used to hear. I wonder if many readers of the novel, who made it such a commercial success in the forties, were aware that the author was actually African-American. The movie adaptation, as pleasant as it is, of course whitewashes the story. As an example of how an African-American writer found his way onto the bestseller list at a time when that was very unusual, and of how he put a twist on a genre dominated by white writers, The Foxes of Harrow is quite a beguiling read.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book (copyright 1946) in my deceased mother-in-law's library at my mother's home. The pages yellowed and jacket worn, it looked as though it had been read multiple times. When I took it to read, I asked my mother if she had read it and she told me that her mother had read it years ago and considered it "risque". Needless to say, this simple comment aroused my interest in the book!

The novel begins in 1825, Pre-civil War Louisiana, when the young Irishman, Stephen Fox, arrives in New Orleans on a pig boat. Frank Yerby wrote a detailed historical novel that allows the reader to experience some of the "beauty" (landscapes, mansions, attire), but mostly the "brutality" (slavery, disease, pride, racial prejudice, gender prejudice) of the antebellum south. Yerby also details a glimpse into both the physical and the psychological aspect of war.

I see more Frank Yerby novels in my future.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just re-read this book for the 5th time just to see if age had changed my perspective at all on Yerby's writing. I was delighted to find that it hadn't. While i was always annoyed by his huge, run-on sentences (and still am) and his at-times flowery descriptions (still there), this is still a great story after all these years. Reading out of my mother's book (printed circa 1948) gave me even more pleasure, since this was one of her favorites too. What is even more amazing was to "google" Frank Yerby, the author, and find that "Foxes of Harrow" was the first bestselling book by an African-American author (his father was Black, his mother was Caucasian) to hit the shelves, doing so in 1946.

Great fun, great romance, a great summer read.

[Genine Franklin-Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read my first book by Frank Yerby (left behind by previous renters) the summer I was 15. 15 year old girl, of course I fell in love and went on to read every book he wrote. As with Deliverence, I would never reread any of Yerby's books; they were too extraordinary a reading experience for me then that I won't risk spoiling it now. Memories: good.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating read on the culture of New Orleans both before and during the civil war. It really opened up my eyes to how things must have been then. As far as sanitation goes, they had just open ditch sewers that caused massive plagues yearly during the hottest part of the summer. Amazing that the authorities never took action. I really like Frank Yerby's work in that he really immerses you in culture, while you're captivated by his main character. Ha, also occassionally you'll have his characteristic slip of modern-day speach into the text, but it makes it interesting.

I really liked how it confronted the racial tensions in New Orleans, both before and after the war. There are some neat role reversals in there. Also I found truthful his exploration of different kinds of feminine beauty.

[Nathan C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Superb writing and storytelling. The reason I don't recommend it is because in order to really get the feel of the era the way the book would present it, you need to sympathize with the haughty, desperate, lecherous and wildly ambitious plantation owners in their passions; truth, humility, and love are virtues seen only in retrospect, not guiding powers.

[Portia Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifty years ago I was advised against reading this book, my mother explained it was for adults!! She was correct, of course.
A ripping yarn, a family saga set in and near New Orleans, somewhat reminiscent of Gone With the Wind.

[Michael David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Foxes of Harrow is definitely an entertaining yarn, but it has noticeable lapses in storytelling that makes me prevent from rating it anything more than a three. Despite Reynolds's violence in Old Gods Laugh, I think his characterization was a bit more well-written. I find it difficult to empathize with Stephen Fox or his family, as I have difficulty commiserating with individuals who are pro-slavery in this day and age. I think that Yerby wrote this novel to exorcise his demons, however, as he was African-American and instead of writing racially-charged literature he wrote historical adventures that painted his people's past plight without passing judgment against the abolitionists or the confederates. It's a good story, but it's a lot more unfocused than Old Gods Laugh.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book from my mother's collection. At first, I thought it would be another pre-Civil War "bodice ripper," but I was pleasantly surprised. Frank Yerby was an African-American writer, so obviously his perspective on the story was different, to say the least. The novel is set in Louisiana, and there is a lot of good information about the state and New Orleans at that time. I actually learned quite a bit. Yerby's descriptive passages are, for the most part, beautifully written and clearly evoke the unique atmosphere of Louisiana and New Orleans. Yes, there are some stereotypical characters, but for the most part they were interesting and not cardboard cutouts as a reader often finds in this genre.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the characters, all of them, and loved the action but I wish historical fiction writers would realize in real life people do not stand around accurately speculating about the next 100 years all the time!

We cover a LOT of ground here, from the 1820’s to the 1860’s, all of it in and around New Orleans, in its beautiful, dazzlingly, richly done up squalor. It was a fascinating tale, rounding out a lot of the stuff that got left out of Gone With the Wind, but I’m still positive I’d never want to live in New Orleans.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a 3.5. The trouble with this book was that it was so inconsistent. The writing was beautiful at times, while the plot was like a soap opera and some of the characters weren't believable. I liked reading about this Southern family through several generations and it was interesting to read about the Civil War from a New Orleans perspective. It's hard to find copies of this book (written in 1946) but it's worth searching out.

[Jacob 02 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. A great historically informative tale of extremes - of poverty and extreme fortune, freedom and human slavery, love, love, more love and war. I fell in love with some of the characters, the women were heroic and amazing, and some (of the characters) were unbearable, but made for an exciting read.

[Beni · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother had this book stashed away in her bedside table. She told me it was too "risque" for me to read. I didn't even know what risque meant but once I started sneaking it and reading it I figured it out. Whew! I had to read as many Frank Yerby books as I could after that.

[Diane Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all of Mr. Yerby's books when I was a teenager and am now re-reading them. Love his books!

[Marg Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard about this novel in the new book, "Race, Politics, and Irish America," and was intrigued enough to go seek it out because Yerby was both African-American and Irish, which makes for a complicated and conflicted depiction of a Dublin-born Southern planter in the antebellum South, to say the least. This best-selling novel is sometimes glibly compared to "Gone with the Wind", but Margaret Mitchell’s portrayal of the meek and happily enslaved in that blockbuster is VERY different to the bunch of Black rebels and strategizers in Yerby’s novel. "Foxes of Harrow" is full to the brim with swash-buckling adventure and improbable romances and the action mostly centers on Stephen Fox, a poor Irish immigrant who had slept rough in Dublin in childhood. However, Fox leaves all that behind when he gains possession of a Louisiana plantation through dishonest gambling. Fox then marries elite French Creole Odile, a bid for higher status in white society that backfires when the marriage turns out to be a disaster. Probably because of his own origins, Stephen grows remarkably conflicted about slavery for someone who benefits from it financially, and at the end of the novel he appears to be doubting his life choices, so for all of its OTT swash-buckling action, "Foxes of Harrow" is to a more thoughtful plantation romance than is typical. I am going to keep reading Yerby’s novels as "Foxes of Harrow" was only the beginning of a very long and successful career it seems.

[Shelby P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd never heard of Frank Yerby until I read Knight of Ocean Avenue. So I googled him and found out some interesting information about him then decided to read his most popular work and voila!

This book is long and very detailed. It was an interesting read and I'm glad I read it. The story does become a bit rushed towards the latter part of the book and I didn't care for the parts that focused on the war.

Etienne Fox was one character I was rooting would die in the book. He was so mean. Makes me grateful I don't have kids. Well now I'll have to read Gone with the Wind and see how it compares.

[Lin S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and its rare that I reread anything as there are soooo many books out there. My neighbor had a copy and asked if I would like to read it? Well, I jumped at the opportunity to reread a book that was published a year before I was born! I think I was in my teens the first time. Turns out I still loved this story. If you are a fan of Raintree County, Gone With the Wind or a fan of books about the old south do yourself a favor and try and find a copy. Enjoy!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book while clearing out my husband's relative's house. I find it fascinating because it was the first book Frank Yerby wrote. The dust jacket talks about him working 12 hours a day and his plans to quit his job to write full-time. Thankfully, he did. Published in 1946, it preceded the sexual revolution, and gives a point of view that is, in some ways, quaint for the 21st century.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on my mom's bookshelf and decided to give it a try. It took me a little while to get into the story because the dialects were a little difficult to interpret sometimes, but once I learned the characters I enjoyed the story. Some of the characters/actions really rubbed me the wrong way, but I found the book a good read nonetheless.

[Huzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Grandmotherr gave me my first Frank Yerby novel in 1958. I have loved all his books that I have read.
He is tops in the OLD South day and slavery. A black man himself he wrote honestly. Sadly he is gone now. I recommend all his books.

[Lori Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredible, and I was hooked easily. Yerby can cover a lot of detail in a lot of years with ease. The ending left a lot to be desired (for me), so that's why I gave it 4/5. I would definitely read again, and definitely recommend!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I did not like the main character but I stuck with it. He improves greatly with age. This is a family saga from the male perspective that is about a Southern family near New Orleans leading up to and through the civil war. It is an interesting book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poor riverboat gambler wins a plantation, marries the most beautiful woman in the county, and is happy until he sees the quadroon Desiree.

[Susie James · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was growing up, I noticed that Mama's sister, Nancy, generally speaking, read more risque novels than Mama did. Aunt Nancy liked Frank Yerby's works, and I noticed "The Foxes of Harrow" in particular; read it; really thought it was very interesting and atmospheric. Years later I read more about Yerby -- and was saddened at the thought of the hatred of whites he seemed to keep within. Today, I dug up an old hardback copy of "The Foxes of Harrow" and plan to do some comparison reading (the "me" now as compared with the teenage me. So, I've finished re-reading this very interesting work of historical fiction and find that contrary to what Yerby might've said, political views did so seep into the mainframe here. Yet, not painfully so, considering. One bit that caught my interest was the author's choice to mention a true historical situation in the ending pages of "Foxes." I've become interested during the past few years in "The Lopez Affair, or Filibusters" in which in the late 1848s-early 1850s, Narciso Lopez sought to "free" Cuba. Influential Americans were persuaded to support Lopez' efforts, leading to indictments of some of these folks, including a former chief justice of what's now known as the Mississippi Supreme Court, Cotesworth Pinckney Smith, for whom Smith's friend, James Z. George of Carroll County, Miss., named his own plantation near North Carrollton, Miss. Cotesworth, still standing! I became interested in these historical events in part because one of Lopez' followers, among 51 executed Aug. 16, 1851, was a Lt. Thomas C. James. I still ask, could he have been one of my ancestors, if not direct, then "side"? Smith and others under federal indictment for violation of the 1818 neutrality law, were not convicted, by the way, and Southern feelings ran high against the Spanish in the way the Lopez affair was handled ...

[Jon Laiche · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read. Having read the book in my youth and seen the Rex Harrison movie many, many years ago, I decided that this would be worth the time and effort in preparation for my third culinary history of Creole Cooking. I was not disappointed, Yerby wrote a whole series of what can best be described as historical romances. It was a quick read (for me) and painted a good picture of the Old South (in Louisiana and New Orleans specifically). Marred somewhat by the standard pre-Civil Rights portrayal of the "good darkies" happilily running the plantation, Yerby, an African-American born in Georgia, does mitigate the "Gone With The Wind" portrayal of the slaves with some more realistic scenarios of slave life, but the book is not about the plantation, but rather character driven in telling its tale of Ante-bellum New Orleans. If you want a clearer sense of life in the Old South, not perfect but somewhat more realistic, you could do worse than The Foxes of Harrow"

[Caleb Hosalla · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book as a kid. The writing style is.. it's okay. Not flowery. Descriptive. I enjoyed the writing but topic wise? As an adult this is easily one of the most problematic books I have ever read, but that's a given considering the time this was written. Stephen was the most obnoxious character in the book, portrayed as noble. Etienne's just a flat out monster and done a lot of deplorable things, Stephen had a daughter, I cant remember her name though I remember not liking her or her liberal husband lol. I dont think I liked a single character in this book, or in any of Yerby's books, but I keep reading them, its all strangely fascinating to read how they keep fucking up. P.S., He keeps writing the same plot over and over again. Some beautiful man smitten by a beautiful woman, beautiful woman dies and the man discovers that the lesser beautiful woman who has always stood behind him was always more beautiful than beautiful woman 1. Prove me wrong.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Foxes of Harrow was an interesting book, especially when the date it was written is taken into account (1946). It is the story of Stephen Fox, an gambling Irishman who makes his home near New Orleans in the early 1800's. Many interesting historical events are part of the story (the yellow fever epidemic of New Orleans, slavery, and the Civil War). The book described New Orleans as a fun-loving party town where sanitary conditions were disregarded, leading to much disease and subsequent deaths in the city. The Civil War was not a large part of the book; the major part of the book centered around Stephen Fox's loves - his wife, her sister and his mistress.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every character in this books falls in love so quickly lol

Interesting how Stephen Fox had one child with each woman, first wife, lover, second wife and how wrong he was when he thought he married with the right woman first time. I was rooting for him and Aurore because she truly loved him, Odalie was like her son, this two never knew what being in love or loving someone means. Glad how story ended.