Fox, by Joyce Carol Oates

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When a handsome, youngish man named Francis Harlan Fox applied and auditioned for a job in a well-regarded prep school in a small town outside Atlantic City, the headmistress was bowled over. Despite her plans to hire someone other than another white male and her reasons for having misgivings about him, he charmed impressed, and astonished her with his charisma and knowledge. And they had so much in common, too. Headmistress P. Cady felt as though the two of them had a real connection, and could even be friends. 

Unfortunately, Francis Fox is not the man anyone thinks he is. This is a dark story, a literary novel that is also a mystery, told in an irresistible nonlinear way. The reader's close attention is rewarded with pieces of information told in flashback and from narrators who differ in reliability. 

Francis Fox has taught in different schools before, never staying long in the same place. This was a red flag, but Fox was ready with his answers. Why has he moved around?  Because he has had inappropriate relationships with junior high girls. He is a pedophile. How is it possible that he is still employed? How is it that he has charmed and conned his way not only into a new life and a new job, but also as a highly esteemed, popular teacher? At first, while reading this novel, I was sceptical that this was likely. Unfortunately, though, it has happened all too many times. Intelligent people are fooled, believe what they want to believe, and sometimes mentally revise history to make themselves more comfortable. Also, Fox had a very good lawyer. 

This story is a scary psychological thriller with a couple of interesting twists. Detective Horace Zwender is a wonderfully drawn character who uses his own logic and philosophy to bring this case to an interesting end.  

Fox, by Joyce Carol Oates, has a riveting plot and makes an important statement, and I am glad that I had this chance to read it.  Many thanks to Random House and Netgalley for providing me with this opportunity. 




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