Finding the Fox: Encounters With an Enigmatic Animal

by Andreas Tjernshaugen

An intimate portrait of a mysterious and misunderstood animal. Few predators live as close to humans as the fox, an animal that seems to appear everywhere in our cultural history––from sly, fast, and thief-like foxes in fairy tales to modern versions like Roald Dahl's The Fantastic Mr. Fox. In this meditative and page-turning book, Andreas Tjernshauge traces the journey of the fox through his local forest in Norway. As he observes fox tracks and discovers secret dens, he spots other animals and plant life that populate the fox’s ecosystem, and muses on the fascinating literature, folklore, legends, and scientific discoveries relating to foxes throughout history.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Nature, Science, Adult

224 pages, Hardcover

Published March 26, 2024

Reviews

[Jurga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding the Fox is an interesting little book on foxes and the author's encounters with them.
It's more like a casual read with curious facts about foxes but in all fairness, it could offer more. Maybe there will be a continuation?
I have to admit, I enjoyed the pictures – a lovely addition to the text. Obviously, foxes are eye candies – gorgeous creatures!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding The Fox is an interesting collection of fox facts and discussions of taming foxes,fox fur farming,foxes in suburbia, fox hunting,disease , place in literature and their environmental niche. Overall, it's an ode to the beauty and wits of the fox. As the fox is one of my favorite wild creatures, I found this to be a fun read.

[Brittany Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a fascinating and fun read, I wish it was longer. I enjoyed the history and literature lessons woven in between the authors experiences trying to observe nearby foxes. the chapters where the author visits the antique book store, the zoo, and the fur farm are probably my favorite, although the descriptions of his stakeouts in the local forests were entertaining too. my only criticism is that the concluding chapter feels a bit rushed. it gives the impression of "this is getting too long, time to wrap things up now." I would've gladly read quite a few more chapters!

[Carmanah Hornsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and easy read that left me with a new interest in foxes.

[Paul O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid and easily approachable nature writing. it goes well with The Age of Deer. No deep earth shattering revelations here but a good starting point for people who just want to know a little bit more about the critters that coinhabit their world.

[Thomas Radigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Norwegian man talks about foxes, more an overview than in great technical detail. He mentions how the fox was used in literature and other entertainment over centuries, from folktales to more modern entertainment (including the Ylvis comic song), and how they interact with one another and other animals as well as humans. What do they eat, how do they survive, where do the live, and so forth. He has watched wild foxes himself and even visited fur farms to see how foxes behave in those respective places.

This is a general reading and not a scientific book, but it is still a short, interesting read about them.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Greystone Books for an advanced copy of this new book on the sly little tricksters that play in the forest, what they like to do when nobody is watching but trail cameras, and what people think they know about foxes, or have been told by media.

My Grandmother was a huge fan of foxes. Anybody she loved, myself included was always called a little fox or my sweet fox. No one really knows why, my Nan was pretty iconoclastic in h family, so loving foxes might have been just her thing. Or being Irish she might have been rooting for the fox as the English like to hunt them. Nan was unique. Through being called her little fox, I always had an affinity for foxes. I loved the Thornton W. Burgess books, with Reddy Fox, loved, loved, loved Disney's Robin Hood, and still do. Again most of my knowledge is from fiction, so I was thrilled to read this book as this offered not as much scientific knowledge, but observational knowledge. And what fun the author must have had watching. Finding the Fox: Encounters With an Enigmatic Animal by Norwegian author and editor Andreas Tjernshaugen, translated by Lucy Moffatt, is a look at foxes in the author's neighborhood, with illustrations an plenty of stories.

The author, accompanied by his dog Topsy takes to the woods to find out more about the foxes that live in his neighborhood. Slowly from those close by the author widens his walks to take in foxes out in the deeper woods. Andreas seeing that the foxes are skittish around him, and something that might have to do with his dog companion begins to leave trail cameras where he has spotted fox activity. This gives him a chance to watch from a distance, and learn quite a bit. Andreas watches the foxes play, moving from fun to learning how to hunt for mice. Family relations are made, and again Andreas is able to view this by camera eye. Andreas also adds facts that he picks up, along with reflections of foxes in literature and especially myth, and why foxes occupy the place they do.

Not just a book about foxes, but a book about the joys of walking in nature and observation. And having a fun dog. This is not a scientific study book, this is more of an observational look at nature and foxes in particular. The writing is very good, almost like letters to a friend about what is going on in the natural world. Andreas has a very nice style, a good sense of humor and can tell facts and little stories in the same paragraph without losing the narrative flow, which can also show up in books that have been translated, but not here. A very interesting book for nature lovers who like to read about things they might pass or see on their walks.

Recommended for nature readers of all ages. A very pleasant story about foxes, and a book that might make people leave their couches and look at the nature that is all around us.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding the Fox is Norwegian author Andreas Tjernshaugen's observations and stories about the fox in his neighborhood. Andreas has often noted the evidence of the fox around him, but has not seen one. He is keen to find out more about the illusive mammal that shares his homeland. Throughout the book Andreas shares the natural history of foxes within Norway along with their trials and triumphs in survival with mange and the fur trade. I enjoyed reading about the foxes' role in the ecosystem, prey they hunt and interactions with other animals. The difference between North American and Norwegian foxes was also explained, which I was thankful for. Andreas' observations of the fox family whose den he finds near a hiking trail are definitely my favorite parts. Andreas is able to watch the foxes through a season and has the most observations about the vixen and her kits as they hunt, play and determine dominance. Finding the Fox is rounded out with information about foxes in captivity, zoos and being bred for fur giving a different view to the wild fox he spent so much time observing. While not the view of a scientist, the author is able to give a rounded view of foxes in his home country.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light, interesting (to those interested in foxes) read, a gathering of anecdotes, the author’s experiences watching foxes, and fox-related information from the past. It’s not a work of science, and seemed rather random in what topics were covered. Considering what a casual read it seemed to be, I was very surprised by the lengthy notes and bibliography.

Mixed with the lighter material, there are chapters on hunting and fur which might bother some readers. They’re not excessively detailed, and the author’s generally against them without giving heavy lectures.

In fact, he engages in some questionable behavior with wild foxes himself, which he acknowledges having qualms about.

Thanks to Greystone Books and NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

[Iris Nabalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Finding the Fox" was a joy to read from start to finish! Having spent a few years in Scandinavia myself, I found Andreas Tjernhaugen's descriptions of the landscape and setting incredibly immersive. It was as if I was transported back there with every turn of the page. As an admirer of foxes, I loved the way he portrays the fox in his narrative, a playful but mystical creature.

This book is an ode to the fox and the bonds they form. Andreas has crafted a beautiful story that will resonate with readers of all ages. If you're a fan of foxes or nature in general, then this book is an absolute must-read.

[BookOtheDay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you could ask for.

Would make a nice gift.

Full of fox facts and a somewhat flowing narrative about the author's attempts to observe his own local foxes. I suspect the comment section is full of debates about the ethics of spooking your local foxes in trying for long periods of time to see them. But I'm afraid I'm one of those people who bought (shiver) Crow Planet so I was just so happy and relieved to read a book about it's stated subject animal. Frank discussion of animals, at times the author seems sad, and lots of interesting ideas at the end. Has all the fox content you could expect from a book that looks like this.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting little book for fox fanciers. The author relates both facts and folklore as he observes what he can of the local wildlife. The tone is conversational, and the subject matter fascinating. It's all a little anecdotal, however, which may bother some people. I got a bit tired of hearing about the author's dog. (And, keep in mind, I'm a dog lover.) I wish there had been more photos, OR, since the whole thing seems to be packaged like a small gift book, a series of pen and ink drawings, one for each chapter, would have been nice.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is truly interesting and very detailed. I have learnt many facts about the Norwegian/ European fox. Here are some facts.
Fox urine smells like instant coffee.
Foxes share dens with European badgers.
Is a relative of the dog and wolf but is adapted to a cat-like lifestyle.
The fox population collapsed from 1970 to 1980 due to Sarcoptic Mange.
Foxes don't snarl they gape their mouths.
Norway foxes are bigger than the American fox.
Norway foxes are like coyotes in America, they will attack Roe Deer.
Foxes can have one or more breeding partners.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Greystone books for this ARC.
I enjoyed reading this author’s encounters with nature and the elusive fox. The story itself was light, not overly scientific, but also informative about foxes. I loved reading about his time walking in nature with his dog and finding the foxes, as well as the history of the fantastic fox. If you love nature and learning about foxes then I think you will enjoy this one.

[Sheillagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the natural world and wildlife, this book about the life of the fox, Vulpes vulpes, is very interesting. The author studies the habits of fox by closely watching their behavior in their natural habitat, in Norway. I learned so much about the characteristics and personalities of the fox from reading this book.

[Rev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I didn’t love it. It was enjoyable enough to read but there was something missing. Ultimately, it made me sad for foxes.

[Kale Melahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silly little fox book. It made me sad at some parts though.

[Traci Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated how the writer presented research, citing several sides of an argument, rather than forcing his own opinions on the reader.

[LucidStyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, just like the fox.

"The hallmark of our species is our unique capacity to trust each other, collaborate with each other, and share the benefits" (p. 170).

[Emma Giles (byo.book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered 2 other books on foxes before. I even finished this 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Sionnach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have loved more material, was very happy to find a fox book with mythology and culture as well as science

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked this book, did not love it- especially the chapter about fur farms, which I skipped past. That chapter felt like a depressing storm cloud hovering over an otherwise likable easy read.