DeepSummary
The episode features an interview with author Yangsze Choo about her new novel 'The Fox Wife.' Choo discusses the significance of foxes in Chinese folklore, where they are often depicted as shapeshifting tricksters that can assume human form. The novel follows a character named Snow, who is a fox spirit seeking to avenge the murder of her daughter.
Choo explains that she doesn't plan her novels extensively, instead starting with a core idea like 'a woman who is also a fox' and allowing the story to unfold organically. She also talks about the character of Bao Gong, a retired detective who can discern truth from lies, and how sound plays an important role in human perception.
The interview touches on Choo's background growing up in a Malaysian family of Chinese descent and her exposure to Chinese mythology from a young age. She notes the fox's complex symbolism across cultures, representing both cleverness and vulnerability.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Foxes hold significant cultural symbolism in Chinese folklore, often depicted as shapeshifting tricksters capable of assuming human form.
- Choo's novel 'The Fox Wife' centers on a fox spirit named Snow seeking vengeance for her daughter's murder across early 20th century Manchuria and Japan.
- The novel explores themes of femininity, vulnerability, revenge, and the complexities underlying folklore tales.
- Choo takes an organic approach to writing, starting with a core idea and allowing the story to unfold naturally.
- Sound and discerning truth from lies play an important role in the novel, exemplified by the character Bao Gong's unique ability.
- Foxes are portrayed paradoxically in folklore as both cunning deceivers and vulnerable creatures easily killed or maimed.
- Choo's Malaysian-Chinese background exposed her to rich mythology surrounding animal spirits from a young age.
- The episode highlights literature's power to blend elements of mystery, folklore, cultural identity, and feminist themes.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Snow's search for truth and justice through Manchuria and Japan is at the center of Yang Shi chu's new novel, the Fox Wife.“ by Scott Simon
- “The fox is a shapeshifter, as you mentioned, who can turn itself into a very attractive person. And folklore is full of these stories, many of them odd figments of stories of foxes who interact with people, often tricking them, sometimes killing them or making off with their property.“ by Yangsze Choo
- “Foxes are said to beguile people. Charming tricksters. They will carry off your gold wine cups as well as your heart. But it goes on to say, yet easily killed or maimed, they lose paws, tails and their own lives in gruesome ways.“ by Scott Simon
- “It's a much more complicated narrative, and it turned out to be a story about old relationships and old loves.“ by Yangsze Choo
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Episode Information
NPR's Book of the Day
NPR
7/2/24
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