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Fox 8  By  cover art

Fox 8

By: George Saunders
Narrated by: George Saunders
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Publisher's summary

From the number-one New York Times best-selling author of Lincoln in the Bardo, a darkly comic short story about the unintended consequences unleashed by our quest to tame the natural world.

Fox 8 has always been known as the daydreamer in his pack, the one his fellow foxes regarded with a knowing snort and a roll of the eyes. That is, until Fox 8 develops a unique skill: He teaches himself to speak Yuman by hiding in the bushes outside a house and listening to children’s bedtime stories. The power of language fuels his abundant curiosity about people - even after danjer arrives in the form of a new shopping mall that cuts off his food supply, sending Fox 8 on a harrowing quest to help save his pack.

Told with his distinctive blend of humor and pathos, Fox 8 showcases the extraordinary imaginative talents of George Saunders, whom The New York Times called “the writer for our time”.

©2013 George Saunders (P)2013 Random House Audio

What listeners say about Fox 8

Average customer ratings
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Great listen

Enjoyed story. I will listening to this when or before I go to bed to help me sleep faster

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Words of wisdom. Great message.

An amazing amount of soul searching in a half an hour read. Written in a such a positive unasuming way.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful little piece.

Every little moment of this short story will stay with you. Saunders is adept at sharinfg a perfectly honed voice.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

cute, funny, and so so sad

I loved this story at first. It was delightful. Then it got dark but still hopeful. Then...if you're going for something light-hearted, this is not it. If cruelty upsets you, you will likely become extremely upset. But I can't fault the story for being too powerful, so it still gets 5 stars.

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    5 out of 5 stars

not for the smol beans or those born in woodlands.

This read is definitely tailored to reinforce or introduce one's compassion towards wildlife. It broke me. Humanity has failed me at this very moment.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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LOVE

This is such a cute story and I love the way the narrator read it. I come back and listen to it every once in a while because it's short and silly. I recommend it to people as well and forced my SO to listen to it. The sad parts make me cry every time. I'm so glad I downloaded this.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Genuinely Touching

I read this story in the McSweeney's newspaper in 2009 or '10 and never got it out of my head. Having forgotten who wrote it, searching "Fox 8" didn't yield useful results until I found another story by George Saunders and recognized the style. You become totally attached to the fox and you can see it moving around through the story. Saunders is so gifted at creating striking imagery with simple language. Fox 8 is like a friend to me, who I can now visit again after years

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Engaging, Great Job!

Narrator made this book an easy listen.
I laughed, I cried, I was completely submerged in the story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fox 8 is pretty fabulous

I heard about this story today and knew I needed it in my life. Next thing I knew I was downloading it from Audible and the rest is history.
It's the story of a fox, Fox 8, who observes and admires the people in the world around him. He learns to speak "Yuman". This is impressive yet unsettling to the other foxes but he has always been the sort of odd one of the group. Then the Yumans start to build a shopping mall. Thing start to change for the foxes and not for the better.
Fox 8 is an admirable young fox. He has a positive outlook on life and loves his fellow foxes. He has a thirst for knowledge and answers that many of the other foxes don't. I immediately wanted to pick him up and give him the adoring cuddle that he deserved.
Anyway- all cuteness and Yuman speak aside this story did have a serious side. It was rough for a bit and there were a few moments that really had you shaking you're head at Yumanity. I know, I get it what animal book doesn't? But still I felt for Fox 8. Foxes should have rights too. Maybe even justice. Look how cute and smart they are. Why don't they deserve the same things that Yumans do?
Ok now I'm getting a bit off track. Foxes and their adorableness just get me so riled up! So kawaii with their big eyes and ears and their fluffy white tipped tails! Plus they're all smart and playful to top it off. Ugh I have to stop! I'm like totally obsessed with them!
The author narrated this story in the Audible version. I think that can sometimes make or break a book. In this case it totally made it. He dove in head first and knew exactly how he wanted it to come out and how he wanted Fox 8 to sound. It was his creation coming to life perfectly (or at least I imagine it to be!)
Anyway. Great story. Read it and hopefully you will love it just like I did!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Witty and Compassionate Story

Fox 8 is adorable. Children will love this story, told from a young fox's point of view. The descriptions of life in a den and a fox's view of the other animals that share the forest had me laughing. The end of the story is sad but not overly sentimental. Even though Fox 8 was devastated by the death of his friend, Fox 7, life has to go on. The ending is bitter sweet. The moralistic tone at the end of the story was too heavy and preachy. I would have given the story a "5" otherwise.

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1 person found this helpful