If I wasn't reading this for a book club, it would have been a difficult DNF (Did Not Finish) at around 30%. However, I'm glad I completed it because it turns out that it was enjoyable to discuss, even if it wasn't enjoyable to read.

I don't like stream of consciousness writing. It always seems to me that it is more interesting for the author than for the reader, and this was a prime example.

The concept sounded great: a girl gang with a charismatic leader running wild in 1950s upstate New York. Unfortunately, the execution was rather dull. The timelines were skewed, the narrator was sometimes referred to in the first person and sometimes in the third, the sentences rambled, and there were two-page-long paragraphs about nothing in particular. At one point, there was an entire page dedicated to listing, verbatim, the rules and regulations of a juvenile detention center.

The book is a'memoir' of Maddy Wirtz, a member of the FOXFIRE gang. It chronicles the rise and ultimate downfall of the group at the hands of their glorious leader, Margaret 'Legs' Sadovsky. All of the girls have very poor or non-existent male role models, and there are some horrifying scenes of rape, sexual harassment, and violence. Sadovsky realizes (consciously or otherwise) that the way out of their abuse is female solidarity and collective action, which works... to a certain extent.

Some people in the book club really liked it, and I think it probably depends on whether you are a plot-driven person or not. I am, and the plot for me was too convoluted and slow.

I'm glad I persevered, but I wouldn't really recommend it. I found it to be a lot of hard work that didn't yield much reward.

This is truly a remarkably fun and thrilling read, and by far my most beloved JCO work to date. Here, Joyce Carol Oates showcases her absolute best. With such a youthful cast of characters, Oates has the full freedom to depict the seamless transition from social marginalization in childhood to an adult life that was far from perfect, a life filled with thievery. The connections between poverty, social marginalization, institutionalization, and crime are crystal clear to those who have endured them. Never before have I come across a work of fiction that combines all these elements into such an enchanting and historically relevant book.

The portrayal of Legs Sedovosky is exquisitely beautiful, and I truly wish I could have known her. She is strong-willed, with a sturdy frame and powerful legs. From the very start, Legs is stoic, attracting others towards her with a mix of admiration, jealousy, and flattery. Her bold confidence rivals that of the male gang leaders in town; she is the real deal. As a gang leader with a purpose – to provide for her loved ones and defend the meek – she changes the hearts of those around her and inspires them through memory until the very end. Let Legs also inspire you and be bold in all that you do. Never back down; be who you truly are. "Foxfire never forgets," and neither will the next person you inspire.

Mega fun times are here to stay! There's so much excitement and joy to be had. Whether it's going on thrilling adventures, playing exciting games, or simply spending quality time with friends and family, these are the moments that make life truly special.

During mega fun times, you can let loose and forget about all your worries. You can explore new places, try new things, and create memories that will last a lifetime. There's no limit to the fun and laughter that can be shared.

So, embrace the mega fun times and make the most of every moment. Whether it's a day at the amusement park, a picnic in the park, or a game night with friends, these are the experiences that will bring you happiness and fulfillment. Let the good times roll!

I didn't manage to complete this book. In fact, I only reached page 60. This book is classified as feminist and served as the foundation for the 1996 film that had my young queer self, who wasn't yet out to herself, completely obsessed. Naturally, I was drawn to read it.

However, I was shocked to discover the blatant and disturbing racial slurs used by the protagonists. These slurs were employed in a manner that was supposed to be empowering for them. I understand that books can reflect the era in which they were written and can be interesting to read to gain an insight into the past. But I had higher expectations from a book written in the 90s by a so-called feminist. This book was written in 1993, a year after the LA riots. It clearly showcases the problematic nature of white feminism. Girls seeking revenge on their abuser by using racist slurs is not feminism.

I looked up reviews on Goodreads and searched online, yet I couldn't find any critique regarding this aspect. Which is even more astonishing. The one-star reviews are mainly about the chaotic writing style. I did find a website listing books that have been banned, and this one was on it, not for the racism but for the sexual violence.

I'm shocked, but unfortunately, I probably shouldn't be surprised. I wonder how this issue unfolds in the remainder of the book, but I'm too disturbed to continue reading.

4.95 stars.

Lord knows I have an intense love for gang books, and this one surely fits the bill. I would even go so far as to say that it is a grittier, darker, and more sapphic rendition of The Outsiders, a book that holds a very special place in my heart. A part of me adores this book because it brings back memories of The Outsiders, but I love it even more because it offers such a unique and sensational take on what could have been a cliched concept.

This book is a collection of multiple tales all rolled into one. It is simultaneously tough and tender, gritty and gentle, cruel and kind. The characters are real flesh-and-blood human beings, with complex emotions, captivating stories, and deep motivations. They are not just cardboard-cutout representations of 1950s gangsters. The centerpiece and crowning jewel, of course, is Legs Sadovsky. Legs is a remarkable character; she is a fascinating exploration of someone who could have easily fallen into the trap of being a cliche. She is both a ruthless leader and a gentle caretaker, a hardened criminal and a sort of mother-hen. Oates managed to create an entire town within just 315 pages - its people, politics, and daily goings-on, which is no small accomplishment. I finished the book feeling as if I truly knew Hammond, as if I could navigate my way to the Foxfire Homestead to be with the girls if I were dropped off there. The images were so vivid, and the writing style was a perfect match for the story. The run-on, sometimes punctuation-less sentences captured the breathlessness of being a teen girl, the excitement of finding your tribe and falling in love, and the need to keep your eyes wide open and remember every little detail, just in case. There are also numerous layers to this book, from the social commentary to the not-so-veiled sapphic implications involving Maddy, Legs, and Violet. When I was reading it, I felt like I was playing an I-spy game of Hammond, in the best possible way. My only reservation is that some of the content has not aged well, so a content warning is in order. Overall, for those who are brave enough to take the plunge, this is a brilliant book.

I've been thinking about this book an awful lot recently. It's truly amazing that I managed to come across this one-of-a-kind queer read during my adolescence. There's simply nothing quite like a book that tells the story of a girl gang exacting revenge on predatory men. It has this remarkable ability to help nurture you into a strong, confident queer bean. ♥️(ツ) This book not only provided entertainment but also served as a source of inspiration and empowerment. It made me realize that I wasn't alone in my queerness and that there were others out there with similar experiences and struggles. The characters in the book were so vivid and relatable, and their journey of taking control and standing up for themselves was truly captivating. It's a book that I will always cherish and recommend to others.

Once you get used to the usual Joyce Carol Oates limited punctuation breathless and oh so full of exclamation points style! This book is actually pretty great.

As an adult, the narrator looks back at her time in a teenage girl-gang in 1950s in upstate New York called FOXFIRE (always written in all-caps). The gang has an almost social justice agenda that is set by their charismatic leader, Margaret "Legs" Sadovsky. Oates perfectly captures the fanatical devotion the members of FOXFIRE have for each other and the gang.

The story unfolds with vivid descriptions of the gang's adventures, their bond growing stronger with each passing day. We see how they face the challenges of their time, standing up for what they believe in. The characters are well-developed, and their emotions are palpable.

Despite the flaws in the writing style, the overall impact of the book is profound. It makes us think about friendship, loyalty, and the power of a group. Oates has once again proven herself to be a master storyteller, and "FOXFIRE" is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the human experience.

Page 295 until the last page is what truly catapults this book into achieving a four-star rating.

Up until that point, it was a rather middling three-star affair.

It's quite interesting to note how a book with such fast-paced writing can, paradoxically, feel like a real slog during the reading process.

The characters, too, seem to lack much depth.

However, and this is a big "wow", those last 33 pages are simply excellent.

They bring a new level of excitement, intrigue, and perhaps even a hint of revelation that completely transforms the overall reading experience.

It's as if the author suddenly found a new gear and took the story to a whole new level.

These final pages make one forget the earlier struggles and appreciate the book in a whole new light.

They serve as a reminder that sometimes, a book can have a slow start but end with a bang, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

With this book, I felt what they usually say about certain drinks: at first, you feel strange, and then you get attached. I started slowly, but I ended up being much more "hooked" on this romance that doesn't follow the usual structure.

The strong characters, "Pernas" and Maddy, will not be easily forgotten. They bring a unique charm and depth to the story.

The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end. It explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotional.

Overall, this book is a refreshing and enjoyable read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a different kind of romance.

Foxfire is set in the 1950s, within a fictional city in New York.

The girls inhabiting this town are young, yet they have already witnessed some of the horrors of the world they live in. The book is deliberately placed in the poorer areas of the town, and the girls all hail from lower class families, each dealing with rather significant issues such as abuse and alcoholism. This main setting is accompanied by the secondary setting of the larger homes of the richer families. These contrasting settings mirror the class differences and make the struggles of the working class families more prominent.

I found the way the plot is structured to be a bit odd. The plot appears to be very clearly divided into sections. Legs' detainment serves as a divider between the rise and fall of Foxfire. The 'rise' section seems disproportionately longer than the 'fall' section. Despite this slightly strange setup, the actual plot of the book is highly engaging, with its nearly constant action interrupted by discoveries about friendship, justice, and revenge.

I believe the characters are quite well-developed. They are all very three-dimensional, not always being very nice or pleasant. Characters are not simply presented as good or bad; everyone seems to have a bit of both. There is no subtlety in this approach, making the characters very obviously realistic and human. For example, Goldie, a member of the gang, is loyal and passionate, but also very brash and lashes out at her Foxfire sisters when things get tough. She is not a good person; she is a real person. Most of the characters are developed in this way, making them all relatable and authentic.

This book was sometimes challenging to read due to the mechanics of the writing. Maddy randomly switches between first person and third person points of view. I had difficulty recognizing these shifts in point of view, which made reading this book much more complex. The way the sentences are constructed is also confusing because of the use of extremely long sentences. The way the sentences blend together in Maddy's fast-paced narrative creates a sense of excitement and hints at the constant rush of emotions leading the gang towards trouble. These aspects of the writing give the book a very quick and fierce tone and overall feeling, and the book itself is reminiscent of the symbolic flame of Foxfire; it burns bright and fast and is over just as quickly as it began.

Overall, I truly enjoyed reading Foxfire and would recommend it to anyone seeking a slightly tougher read that still has some action and excitement.

I'm in love.

It's an intense and overwhelming experience. There are so many feelings coursing through me, like a wild river.

Every moment spent with the one I love is precious and filled with joy.

The sight of them makes my heart skip a beat, and their smile lights up my world.

I find myself constantly thinking about them, wondering what they're doing, and longing to be with them.

Love has this magical power to make everything seem more beautiful and meaningful.

It makes me want to be a better person, to grow and learn, and to share my life with them.

I'm excited to see where this journey of love takes us, and I'm ready to embrace all the challenges and joys that come our way.

Because when you're in love, nothing else seems to matter.

Foxfire is an outstanding book that delves deep into the themes of girl empowerment and feminism. Set in the 1950s and 1960s, shortly after the Second World War, it offers a unique perspective.

The story is told through the eyes of Maddy, who is 15 at the time and later revealed to be an astronomer's assistant reliving those days. The author often switches points of view, adding depth to the narrative.

The setting is a lower class area adjacent to an upper class society, much like a city on a hill. Foxfire is the first all-girl gang in this lower class society. The setting complements the plot, highlighting the existence of multiple gangs and the challenges faced by the girls.

The plot is semi-realistic for the time period and is very interesting and well-developed. The descriptive words used by the author bring the scenes and characters to life, making them almost palpable.

The characters are richly developed, full of personality and description, and are relatable to people we might know in real life. The author does an excellent job of addressing issues such as sexual abuse and alcoholism, showing that they were prevalent back then.

However, the lack of a diverse portrayal of men in the book is a drawback. While it is understandable that sexual abuse and alcoholism were common among men during that time, it would have been nice to see at least one decent man portrayed.

Despite some confusion due to run-on sentences and the switching of viewpoints, the book's intense and raw nature is enhanced by these elements.

Foxfire is not for all readers, as the strong descriptive language, violence, and sexual abuse topics may be too intense for some. However, for those who are interested in girl empowerment and a well-told story, it is highly recommended.