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In this classic novel by Charles G. D. Roberts, we follow the adventures of the titular Red Fox as he grows up and takes on the Canadian wilderness. Curious and intelligent, Red Fox learns valuable life lessons and survival skills from his encounters with the animals around him, including the humans on local farms - skills which ultimately end up saving his life in situations where other foxes have perished.
Roberts sets out to make Red Fox and the animal world around him more understandable and relatable to readers through the use of vivid, expressive detail and a thoroughly engaging story, and in doing so encourages awareness of the misunderstanding and cruelty which is sometimes involved in humanities relationship with wild animals.
Excerpt:
Chapter I.
"The price of his life"
Two voices, a mellow, bell-like baying and an excited yelping, came in chorus upon the air of the April dawn. The musical and irregularly blended cadence, now swelling, now diminishing, seemed a fit accompaniment to the tender, thin-washed colouring of the landscape which lay spread out under the gray and lilac lights of approaching sunrise. The level country, of mixed woodland and backwoods farm, still showed a few white patches here and there where the snow lingered in the deep hollows; but all over the long, wide southward-facing slope of the uplands, with their rough woods broken by occasional half-cleared, hillocky pastures, the spring was more advanced. Faint green films were beginning to show on the birch and poplar thickets, and over the pasture hillocks; and every maple hung forth a rosy veil that seemed to imitate the flush of morning.
[...]
Roberts sets out to make Red Fox and the animal world around him more understandable and relatable to readers through the use of vivid, expressive detail and a thoroughly engaging story, and in doing so encourages awareness of the misunderstanding and cruelty which is sometimes involved in humanities relationship with wild animals.
Excerpt:
Chapter I.
"The price of his life"
Two voices, a mellow, bell-like baying and an excited yelping, came in chorus upon the air of the April dawn. The musical and irregularly blended cadence, now swelling, now diminishing, seemed a fit accompaniment to the tender, thin-washed colouring of the landscape which lay spread out under the gray and lilac lights of approaching sunrise. The level country, of mixed woodland and backwoods farm, still showed a few white patches here and there where the snow lingered in the deep hollows; but all over the long, wide southward-facing slope of the uplands, with their rough woods broken by occasional half-cleared, hillocky pastures, the spring was more advanced. Faint green films were beginning to show on the birch and poplar thickets, and over the pasture hillocks; and every maple hung forth a rosy veil that seemed to imitate the flush of morning.
[...]
265 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1905
4 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Charles G.D. Roberts
465 books12 followersSir Charles George Douglas Roberts, was a Canadian poet and prose writer who is known as the Father of Canadian Poetry. He was almost the first Canadian author to obtain worldwide reputation and influence; he was also a tireless promoter and encourager of Canadian literature. He published numerous works on Canadian exploration and natural history, verse, travel books, and fiction. At his death he was regarded as Canada's leading man of letters.
Besides his own body of work, Roberts served as an inspiration and a source of assistance for other Canadian poets of his time.
Roberts, his cousin Bliss Carman, Archibald Lampman, and Duncan Campbell Scott are known as the Confederation Poets.
Besides his own body of work, Roberts served as an inspiration and a source of assistance for other Canadian poets of his time.
Roberts, his cousin Bliss Carman, Archibald Lampman, and Duncan Campbell Scott are known as the Confederation Poets.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 7, 2020
One remembered from childhood, though a much older story still. Beautiful, unsentimental piece of nature writing, drawn from Roberts’ own experience and observations, and the stories he learned from others, regarding foxes in Canada. Attractive prose, and a good take on seeing the world through an intelligent animal’s eyes.
July 2, 2021
This book is a bit hard, but It’s very descriptive and rich with almost poetic words. I do like the fact that this book does not dwell on the sorrow of death, but allows the characters to move on, exactly how nature is in the real world. It recommended by a friend, who asked me one day to pick out a book for him at random, I feel privileged to have picked this book over all others. I also learnt that there was a big cat called a lynx, which I did not know before
Overall this book was amazing and it deserves all of the five-star praise given to it by the critics.
Overall this book was amazing and it deserves all of the five-star praise given to it by the critics.
October 10, 2024
This book is simply a beautiful little story. I recall owning a battered paperback copy of this book as a young boy and reading it at least a half-dozen times. Rereading now, I was reminded of the charm this little book offers. I'm so glad I could take this trip down memory lane. Red Fox is a fantastic story for anyone who loves nature and stories about the creatures therein.
August 20, 2023
This is a charming book one that will stay with me. It was written in 1905 but it is so strikingly immediate for now 2023.
December 21, 2013
Who would have known that a 200 page book about the life of a single fox would be so compelling and interesting? Not that I had low standards when I started to read this. I thought it would be geared towards children, but I love foxes so planned to read it anyway.
The animals in the novel don't have anthropomorphic features, rather it follows adventures of the fox growing up and facing enemies (both human and animal). It is realistic to nature, still reads like a story, and the writing is excellent. This was written in 1905, but the novel is timeless.
Wikipedia tells me the author is "the Father of Canadian Poetry" and that doesn't surprise me at all. I will definitely be looking into more of his work in the future, and it's a shame that I was never introduced to Roberts before, despite his influence in Canadian literature.
The animals in the novel don't have anthropomorphic features, rather it follows adventures of the fox growing up and facing enemies (both human and animal). It is realistic to nature, still reads like a story, and the writing is excellent. This was written in 1905, but the novel is timeless.
Wikipedia tells me the author is "the Father of Canadian Poetry" and that doesn't surprise me at all. I will definitely be looking into more of his work in the future, and it's a shame that I was never introduced to Roberts before, despite his influence in Canadian literature.
March 28, 2021
Рыжий лис.
Красивая история о любви к свободе, о природе, о жизни. Пусть образ главного героя и собирательный, но это действительно лис со всеми его повадками. Я хоть и не натуралист, но люблю читать блог фотографа-натуралиста Игоря Шпиленока. Он там не мало писал про лис и их повадки. И сравнивая его наблюдения с книгой я не могу не увидеть сходства и от этого даже как-то приятно, что автор не выдумал, то есть саму историю, конечно, выдумал, но лиса - нет) Пусть не у всех лис такая насыщенная жизнь, но поэтому образ и собирательный, с каждого умного лиса по небольшой истории)
Я люблю такие книги, когда подкрепляешь свои знания. Когда что-то научное, для кого-то даже скучное выведено в такую завлекательную историю чтобы привлечь больше внимания и понимая к тем, кто живет рядом с нами. Помочь узнать их лучше. Полюбить их. Посмотреть на самих себя с другой стороны, когда ты действительно выше, но не обязательно мудрее.
Рыжий Лис, тут удивительное сообразительное животное, но не в меру любопытное, хоть Природа и научила его осторожности, но так много интересного вокруг, а заодно, чем лучше знаешь своего врага, тем дольше проживешь. А главный враг у него все же не до конца понятный и страшный Человек. Потому что сурки, еноты, выдры, рыси - это то, что можно понять, они такие же как ты, они убивают чтобы жить, ты убиваешь их, чтобы выжить. А человек и его собаки - это страх, который передал с материнской заботой.
Вот Рыжий Лис и изучает человека и от своего любопытства попадает в большую беду, но случайность и острый ум помогают ему спасаться и не один раз. Главное - это уметь оценивать, быстро, ведь от быстроты твоего ума, от правильности решения зависит жизнь. И когда ты любишь свободу, свобода платит взаимностью. Поэтому в конце книги мы видим Лиса непобедимого, который устремляется вперед и он жив, он прекрасен, он как маленькое рыжее пламя в канадских лесах.
Кстати, в моем издании есть предисловие от автора и послесловия нашего академика из института географии Е.Е. Сыроечковского. И то, и то советую прочитать очень полезно для понимая истории и животных с их повадками. Во что верить, а во что нет)
И как вывод - читать, конечно же такое нужно читать и детям обязательно подкидывать. Кто любит читать про животных, а Даррелла и Хэрриота уже все одолел, а до Сетона-Томпсона еще не добрался (мне, кстати, Робертс понравился чуть больше, но принцип рассказа о животных у авторов один), то эта книга как раз заполнит опустевшую нишу, и не только она у автора есть еще истории о животных)
September 15, 2020
Following a passably interesting opening chapter, reads like Jack London-lite without the kinetic spark. Language is pure puffery and the animals are so anthropomorphic they're practically wearing smoking jackets. Finished this tome but only by skimming.
September 1, 2020
Delightful. Every Junior High Student should consider reading. The Author must of spent a lot of time in the wild.
January 4, 2021
This is a great read and one that is a must-have for young adults to introduce them to the love of reading by following the adventures of a red fox.
November 16, 2024
RED FOX by Charles G.D. Roberts is a solid entry for those interested in nature writing, specifically fox novels. While the book offers little that feels fresh for readers familiar with the subgenre, it provides a grounded and well-written portrayal of a red fox's life in the wild. Roberts captures the essence of nature's rhythms, focusing on the fox's maturation, survival, and the cyclical nature of its existence.
What does set this book apart from many others in the genre is its early focus on the fox's upbringing in a den. This offers a unique perspective compared to the more common trope of a fox being orphaned by hunters and raised by humans. It’s an angle not often explored, given the challenges of observing fox life in dens before recent technological advances. This part of the story provides a refreshing glimpse into the early life of the fox, giving the narrative an initial spark of uniqueness.
However, as the story progresses, it falls back into the familiar patterns of hunting, being hunted, and surviving in the wild, which is typical of fox novels. While the writing is solid, there’s a lack of a structural through-line, which makes the story feel repetitive for those accustomed to this genre. The repetitive nature of the themes—mating, hunting, and the harsh realities of life in the wild—may not hold the interest of more seasoned readers unless there's a deeper layer to the story to sustain engagement.
While RED FOX is well-written, it doesn’t offer much that hasn’t been seen before in the nature writing subgenre. For those who are new to fox novels, it provides an accessible introduction, but for more experienced readers, books like Wild Lone, The Running Foxes, or The Fox and the Hound offer more compelling and varied takes on the subject.
What does set this book apart from many others in the genre is its early focus on the fox's upbringing in a den. This offers a unique perspective compared to the more common trope of a fox being orphaned by hunters and raised by humans. It’s an angle not often explored, given the challenges of observing fox life in dens before recent technological advances. This part of the story provides a refreshing glimpse into the early life of the fox, giving the narrative an initial spark of uniqueness.
However, as the story progresses, it falls back into the familiar patterns of hunting, being hunted, and surviving in the wild, which is typical of fox novels. While the writing is solid, there’s a lack of a structural through-line, which makes the story feel repetitive for those accustomed to this genre. The repetitive nature of the themes—mating, hunting, and the harsh realities of life in the wild—may not hold the interest of more seasoned readers unless there's a deeper layer to the story to sustain engagement.
While RED FOX is well-written, it doesn’t offer much that hasn’t been seen before in the nature writing subgenre. For those who are new to fox novels, it provides an accessible introduction, but for more experienced readers, books like Wild Lone, The Running Foxes, or The Fox and the Hound offer more compelling and varied takes on the subject.
August 6, 2019
A wonderful tale (tail!)
The story begins with the death of Red Fox's father and it's not long before a litter of five is reduced to two, Red Fox and his sister. A goshawk, a lynx and their deadliest of foes, the farmer and his hounds, account for the rest.
Red Fox is presented as being uncommonly superior in size and intelligence, outside of which Roberts tried to avoid anthropomorphizing him. After a raid on the farm this is how his first family eventually split up:
'This audacious exploit seemed in some way to break up the little family. In some way, at this time, the two youngsters seemed to realize their capacity for complete independence and self-reliance; and at the same moment, as it were, the mother in some subtle fashion let slip the reins of her influence. All three became indifferent to each other; and without any misunderstanding or ill will each went his or her own way.'
When Red Fox starts his own family he is realistically indifferent to his own litter. A series of encounters with eagles, porcupines, honey badgers are harsh tooth and claw lessons for Red Fox in 'Nature's discipline,' though none are trickier teachers than man.
The colour illustrations are also wonderful.
The story begins with the death of Red Fox's father and it's not long before a litter of five is reduced to two, Red Fox and his sister. A goshawk, a lynx and their deadliest of foes, the farmer and his hounds, account for the rest.
Red Fox is presented as being uncommonly superior in size and intelligence, outside of which Roberts tried to avoid anthropomorphizing him. After a raid on the farm this is how his first family eventually split up:
'This audacious exploit seemed in some way to break up the little family. In some way, at this time, the two youngsters seemed to realize their capacity for complete independence and self-reliance; and at the same moment, as it were, the mother in some subtle fashion let slip the reins of her influence. All three became indifferent to each other; and without any misunderstanding or ill will each went his or her own way.'
When Red Fox starts his own family he is realistically indifferent to his own litter. A series of encounters with eagles, porcupines, honey badgers are harsh tooth and claw lessons for Red Fox in 'Nature's discipline,' though none are trickier teachers than man.
The colour illustrations are also wonderful.
October 14, 2009
wow this is from 1964. another formative animals are smart and amazing book. i really lived in an amazing world growing up. i loved it. i still love it, i hope to maintain a healthy sense of wonder forever... this book taught me the word sagacious. although even at the time, and i had to be pretty young, i wondered if the author was overusing the word! or, maybe that feeling was also magnified by the million times i must've read this book. it was among the 'whatever old books are on mom and dad's bookshelves' phase - an early reading phase, really, the onset of which was whenever i was out of new or library books. and then eventually it became the, 'reread my favorite old books from their bookshelves which have now migrated to my room' phase.
September 20, 2011
Great book. Stumbled across it one day, and since it was about foxes I had to read it.
The book is written from the viewpoint of the title character, Red Fox, who is also about the only 'named' character in the entire book. There is also no spoken language between the animals. It's like you are out there in the wild, as Red Fox himself.
The book is written from the viewpoint of the title character, Red Fox, who is also about the only 'named' character in the entire book. There is also no spoken language between the animals. It's like you are out there in the wild, as Red Fox himself.
June 25, 2020
This is the first novel I read as a kid and I have very fond memories of it.
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September 13, 2018I think it is really great book. And if you love animals you will love it!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews