A woman named Snow sets out on a journey of revenge for the death of her daughter two years earlier. Snow is not any person, however; she is a fox, a charismatic being that feeds on life force, or qi. As she follows the path to find the mysterious photographer, Bektu Nikan, who had a hand in her daughter's death, Snow finds her place as an aid to an elderly woman who runs a medicine shop. Snow feels an attachment to the woman and it happens that her son has a relationship with Bektu Nikan. Meanwhile, Bao, a private investigator with a special ability to hear the truth, is investigating the death of a young woman found in a doorway. Bao has had a special interest in foxes from his childhood. Bao's investigation will soon lead him into an entire den.
The Fox Wife is a slow burn journey of grief, redemption and fulfilment. With alternating narration from Snow and Bao, there is a steady sense of something building with every chapter. Set in 1908 throughout the Manchuria region of China, the folklore, superstitions, food and politics permeate their journey. I was pulled in by the fox folklore and Snow's character. Snow is set on revenge, yet has a calm, peaceful and steady nature. She is intent to help her mistress and not cause harm, yet her mission is to kill Bektu Nikan. Snow as well as the other two foxes create quite a trio as their antics and missions manipulate the feelings of the humans around them. Bao's character was equally as interesting, spending a lot of time in Bao's childhood and gaining the ability to hear a lie. Told through elegant prose, the story builds and plateaus as Snow and Bao's journey's collide.
The Fox Wife is a slow burn journey of grief, redemption and fulfilment. With alternating narration from Snow and Bao, there is a steady sense of something building with every chapter. Set in 1908 throughout the Manchuria region of China, the folklore, superstitions, food and politics permeate their journey. I was pulled in by the fox folklore and Snow's character. Snow is set on revenge, yet has a calm, peaceful and steady nature. She is intent to help her mistress and not cause harm, yet her mission is to kill Bektu Nikan. Snow as well as the other two foxes create quite a trio as their antics and missions manipulate the feelings of the humans around them. Bao's character was equally as interesting, spending a lot of time in Bao's childhood and gaining the ability to hear a lie. Told through elegant prose, the story builds and plateaus as Snow and Bao's journey's collide.
