The beginning seemed very promising.

However, after the first third, it interested me less and less.

The characters who were initially introduced in detail later only had the function of cardboard cutouts, and the plot was rather a summary of actions.

I think the beginning works well because Oates might have a personal relationship with that daydream: founding a girls' gang! Taking revenge on all those who deserve it!

But since the story can't go on seriously like that, it has to take a realistic turn, and from then on it reads lifeless and contrived.

Perhaps if the author had developed the characters more deeply and made the plot more complex and believable, the story would have been more engaging.

As it is, it feels like a missed opportunity to create a truly captivating and thought-provoking piece of literature.

Oates, a highly respected Princeton professor, pens Foxfire with a curious dedication. Five girls' names are followed by a somber 'in memoriam'. We assume they are deceased. This is a journey down Memory Lane. And we are led to guess that the professor herself was once a 'girl gangster' - a difficult image for those familiar with her work. Professor Oates has confirmed this in interviews, calling the novel, set in her early teenage years from 1953 to 1956, 'emotional autobiography'. The five dedicatees were 'girls whom I knew - a composite of girls, not necessarily all in one group, some I went to school with'.

For me, Foxfire is one of the best among the author's numerous fictional works. The narrator is Madeleine Faith Wirtz, also known as 'Maddy-Monkey', the 'gang chronicler'. Maddy has a gift for words. 'It was between the ages of thirteen and seventeen', her chronicle begins, 'that I belonged to FOXFIRE' (the gang name is capitalized throughout the narrative). The setting is 'Hammond', which is clearly Oates' hometown of Lockport, New York state, for those who know the region. The Foxfire crew are teenage vigilantes targeting all males. Every male in the novel, regardless of age or marital status, is a rapist or child molester. 'Men are our enemies' is the gang's slogan. The only exception is a weathered, drunken, 'holy', defrocked Catholic priest. 'Oh Jesus', Maddy exclaims, reveling in her sexual aggression, 'the very sound "girl gang" had the power to send the blood racing!'

The leader of Foxfire is 'Legs' Sadovsky (motto: 'I'm Legs Sadovsky I'm FOXFIRE I don't fuck around with guys'). All the girl gangsters come from broken or, in Maddy's case, 'dull' families. After making their blood vows, Foxfire's first recorded act of sex-vigilantism is against a lecherous math teacher. They smear his car with the slogan: 'I’M A DIRTY OLD MAN MMMM GIRLS!! I TEACH MATH & TICKLE TITS'. He is immediately fired and goes on the run. A child-molesting shopkeeper is molested by the teen furies (Maddy gets a typewriter from this exploit to record the gang's deeds). Through virtuous vandalism, they shut down a pet store that mistreats animals. Foxfire becomes an 'urban legend'.

The gang disbands when they steal a car and are arrested. Legs is sent to a brutal correctional facility, and on her release, the now nearly adult girls move into a commune called the 'FOXFIRE Homestead' and turn it into a battered women's refuge. They earn money by 'hooking' - duping would-be 'johns' who think they are prostitutes. Things take a turn for the worse when Legs gets involved in kidnapping and extortion (punishable by the electric chair). What was once aggressive feminism has now become a feminist felony. Legs may or may not escape to Cuba. No longer a girl gangster, Maddy becomes an astrophysicist and leaves Hammond forever.

This is one of the most boring books I’ve ever read in my entire life.

It's truly a pity because I sincerely believe that the concept behind it is good and the plot holds a great deal of potential.

However, the execution has fallen flat.

If it weren't for the fact that I had to read this book for school, I most definitely wouldn't have finished it.

And it's a sad reality that those are some of the hours of my life that I'll never be able to retrieve.

The story seems to drag on, lacking the excitement and engagement that would have made it a truly enjoyable read.

Despite its promising premise, it fails to deliver on its potential, leaving me disappointed and longing for a more captivating literary experience.

Foxfire is a remarkable entity that never succumbs to defeat.

I have a Tattoo which is inspired by this captivating Book and the Movie that came after it, starring the talented Angelina Jolie. ;)

It narrates the story of a group of extraordinary misfit girls who bravely fight back. Indeed, they form a girl gang, but they are not just an offshoot of a boy gang. They are not the girls associated with some local hoodlums. Instead, they are the ones who are in control, running the entire show.

You are my Heart, Joyce. Foxfire will live on forever in my heart and in the memories of all those who have been touched by its powerful story.

The article was really interesting. It was written in a way that was perfect for a younger reader. The narrator's stream of consciousness voice was a bit frustrating at times, but it also added to the charm of the story. The social justice and girl power themes were so powerful that it was impossible to put the book down. I especially loved the final chapters. They were so exciting and full of surprises. I really wish I had read this book when I was in high school. It would have been a great addition to my reading list. I think every young girl should read this book and be inspired by the strong female characters and the important messages it传达.

Set in the late 1950s - 1960s, this remarkable book vividly chronicles the lifespan of a women's gang.

Legs Sadovsky, the gang leader, employs feminist guerrilla tactics to battle against childhood sexual abuse, racism, classism, and all forms of general injustice.

However, as the story progresses, these tactics take an even more extreme and radical turn, leaving the reader pondering an important question - at what point does activism transform into something self-serving and addictively destructive?

This is truly a wonderful book, and I have a deep love for Joyce Carol Oates' works.

If you've seen the movie (unfortunately, I did so before reading the book), it's important to note that the movie fails to do justice to this literary masterpiece.

The movie was rather corny, although I did have a certain appreciation for it when I was a teenager.

Overall, the book offers a much more in-depth and thought-provoking exploration of the themes and characters, making it a must-read for anyone interested in social issues and powerful storytelling.

Foxfire is an engaging novel that delves into the world of a girl gang during the 1950s.

It is presented from the perspective of one of the members, who takes the reader on a journey as she recalls her experiences within the gang.

This story beautifully explores the profound bonds of sisterhood that develop among the girls.

However, it also highlights how the forces of capitalism can disrupt and even shatter those precious connections.

Some of the scenes in the novel are indeed disturbing and may be difficult to read, but they serve a purpose in revealing the harsh realities of that era.

The writing style of the novel requires some adjustment on the part of the reader, but once accustomed to it, it becomes evident that it adds depth and power to the story.

Overall, Foxfire is a thought-provoking and captivating read that offers a unique perspective on a bygone era and the complex relationships that existed within it.

This book is truly a great read when it comes to the theme. It contains pretty much everything that has always had the power to pull me into a novel. The themes explored are engaging and thought-provoking, making it a captivating read.

However, I did encounter some difficulties at times. The writing style of the book sometimes made it a bit challenging for me to get into a smooth flow. There were moments when I had to stop and re-read a few sentences to fully understand the author's intended meaning.

Despite this minor setback, I still found the book to be an enjoyable and worthwhile read. The strength of the theme more than compensated for the slight hiccups in the writing style. I would definitely recommend this book to others who are interested in exploring deep and meaningful themes in a novel.

I was truly torn between giving this a 3 or a 4.

On one hand, there were certain aspects that didn't quite meet my expectations.

However, after careful consideration, I decided to go with the 4.

This is mainly because it is probably significantly better than this God awful Portuguese translation.

The original text might have had its flaws, but compared to the terrible translation, it seems relatively decent.

I'm not entirely satisfied with it, but it's still a step above the abysmal translation.

Maybe with some improvements and refinements, it could have received an even higher rating.

Nevertheless, for now, a 4 seems like a fair assessment considering the circumstances.

Exploring female disenfranchisement and rigid class structure within a 1950s cultural backdrop, Foxfire is the captivating saga of a girl gang from the working-class factory town of Hammond, New York.

This book immediately appealed to me due to my strange affinity for films and stories about gangs and misfits on the fringes of society. There's something about the fierce loyalty and camaraderie born out of isolation and misunderstanding that really触动 my emotions. Maybe it's because I watch The Outsiders and The Warriors way too often.

Foxfire is distinct from bro-fests like The Outsiders as it allows you to experience all the mischief and patriarchy dismantling with a group of fierce teen girls. They are unique, not an offshoot of a local boy gang or the 'property of' a bunch of hoods. The Foxfire girls formed this group on their own, more as a survival tactic than out of obligation. They are like flotsam and jetsam, misbegotten throwaway junk cast into a sea of problems not of their making.

These girls come from broken, dysfunctional, and financially strained households and are desperate to escape. Banding together is their only option to find dignity and fight back. With bruised knuckles and pride, the Foxfire girls and their aggressive social justice crusade make the Pink Ladies seem like mere powder puffs.

Though the story is assembled like a memoir and told from the voice of Maddy “Killer” Wirtz, the main focus is on Margaret ‘Legs’ Sadovsky, the badass leader of the Foxfire pack. Legs toys with gender roles and loves to disrupt the status quo. She hungers for freedom, individuality, and is passionate about fighting for the underdog, but she never considers the consequences. This appetite and rashness are her magnetism, pulling the other girls into her orbit.

Joyce Carol Oates is a prolific writer, and her prose in Foxfire is one-of-a-kind. At times, the fast-paced dialogue and switching of tenses and voices made it a bit difficult to get through, but once you get into the flow, it takes on a new life.

On the surface, Foxfire is about fast and furious girls on the road to ruin, but Oates delves deeper, intersecting various topics well. It's a coming-of-age tale and a commentary on women's freedoms under male dominance. It also shows how activism can turn selfish and have dangerous consequences.

Another aspect of activism explored is its limiting factors. The scene where Legs befriends Black girls at the detention center highlights the hypocrisy and racial exclusivity of feminism. The Foxfire girls, while fighting for gender equality, were only advocating for themselves, not including Black women.

Foxfire is also a story of friendship and its phases. We get to know the various members, but the focus remains on Maddy and Legs. Their friendship evolves, and as Legs becomes more radicalized, Maddy distances herself.

In these moments, I was reminded of my own past friendships and how they dissolved. Drifting apart from a friend is tough, but sometimes it's necessary for growth.

It should be noted that Oates is like the queen of writing about rape culture, and the men in Foxfire are all horrid creatures bent on abusing women. While it's a lopsided representation, it's relevant to the essence of the text and Oates' message about the expectations placed on women in the 1950s.

Overall, Foxfire is a poignant and electric read that will stay with me for years to come. It's a rowdy and wild ride that explores important themes in a unique and engaging way.

//

\\n  Songs In The Key Of 'Foxfire'\\n

Marina & The Diamonds – “Savages”

The Runaways – “Neon Angels On The Road To Ruin”

TLC – “His Story”

Lady Gaga – “Bad Kids”

Boo-urns.

I happened to come across this book at a thrift store. Recognizing the name of both the author and the book, I excitedly added it to my ever-expanding pile. I delved into it blindly, fulfilling F of the 2022 Alphabet Challenge. However, I must admit that I did not enjoy my time spent reading this particular book.

This is not the worst book I have ever read, but I feel that the story had tremendous potential. Unfortunately, the writing style simply did not resonate with me. It took an incredibly long time for the plot to progress, and there seemed to be numerous random elements that either did not add up or did not quite fit in. Although this was somewhat addressed, it still left me with a sense of dissatisfaction. Maybe I should give the movie adaptation a try and see if my perception changes after that?

Observations (MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS):

I am not a fan of the first and third person stream of consciousness style. It was rather confusing, going from being the narrator to talking about oneself as if one were someone else, which in this case was Maddy, also known as Maddy-Monkey, and Killer.

For someone with the name "Killer", she was actually quite a pushover. Not only that, but she really didn't have much to contribute to the story. In my opinion, she was definitely one of the weakest links. Goodbye!

What happened to the little person? Did she die? Or did she manage to escape?

Why spend so much time emphasizing how you don't want to tell us what happened to your mom, only to not actually tell us what happened to your mom??!!! That was either a stroke of genius or an absolute disaster. I simply can't figure it out.

#alphabetchallenge #backintheday #booksiown #climbaboardthestrugglebus #creeps #ixnayontheaperay #lezbefriends #petsandotheranimals #prison #teen #thrifty #willpassontomydaughter

A novel that is a punch in the stomach but that makes one really understand how the dynamics of the pack work. Joyce Carol Oates tells the birth and the end of Foxfire, a female gang, born among a group of maladjusted and rebellious girls from the poor American province. They will carry out an escalation of increasingly serious crimes until it degenerates into pure madness. It is not an easy read, but with characters - first and foremost the charismatic leader Legs Sadovsky - that are not easily forgotten.

The story unfolds in a vivid and disturbing way, showing the dark side of human nature and the power of peer pressure. The girls in Foxfire are searching for a sense of belonging and identity in a world that has rejected them. Their actions, although extreme, are a desperate attempt to assert themselves and make their voices heard.

Overall, this novel is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will leave a lasting impression on the reader. It is a reminder of the importance of understanding and empathy, and of the consequences that can result from a lack of these qualities. Voto: 3.5 ***