Girl power! I guess, anyway.

Here, we are in the 1950s, a time when male chauvinism runs rampant. Our main characters are girls who can no longer tolerate the status quo and decide to rebel. Naturally, this rebellion escalates beyond everyone's control.

As young girls tend to do, they all gather around one particularly volatile girl named Legs. She hates men and society but lacks the means or the language to make a significant change. So, she resorts to breaking windows and hustling horny morons for money.

SPOILER ALERT: And, of course, it all goes downhill. The ending, on its own, doesn't trouble me. These characters, as they are, could never succeed in anything so grand. What bothers me is that, like almost every book, movie, or TV show featuring these rebellious young women, it all turns out badly.

These were not nice young ladies, and so, of course, in the end, they either die, get punished, or become sweet, upstanding citizens. This is a more insidious form of sexism, the kind that automatically assumes girls will always fail when they step outside the lines of society.

Do I think Joyce Carol Oates hates feminism and set out to write a story teaching girls about the evils of sisterhood? No, not at all. I think Oates simply wrote a novel, and that novel happens to be symptomatic of a much larger issue.

It is not okay to beat people, steal, or kidnap for ransom like the FOXFIRE girls did, but they surely paid for their uppity behavior, just like all "bad girls" are supposed to. This left a sour taste in my mouth. Maybe if I were still an adolescent girl, I could relate to these girls more and actually like this story. But I'm not. I'm a grown woman who saw the ending coming from a mile away and was disappointed when it arrived.

Foxfire was truly entertaining, and in certain aspects, it was precisely what I required to read at that moment.

However, there was still something about it that didn't quite meet my expectations. I have a great admiration for Joyce Carol Oates' writing. In fact, I firmly believe that if I had been reading her works during her prime, she would have undoubtedly been my favorite author.

Moreover, I think she is someone I would most definitely desire to meet. Any woman who had the confidence to publish such a rebellious story of young girls fighting back in 1996 is someone I would love to encounter.

This story feels so relevant in the modern era, especially with women finally finding their voices, particularly against men. This book is incredibly advanced for its time. Maybe I'm completely wrong about this, but I can't envision this book being received without controversy during that period.

Admittedly, a significant portion of the book was rather dull for me. Nevertheless, the parts that didn't bore me truly held my attention and entertained me. Overall, it was a very likable book.

I'm eagerly anticipating watching the movie adaptation starring Angelina Jolie. They couldn't have cast a more perfect actress for Legs!

I've also taken the initiative to bring two other Joyce Carol Oates books that I own closer to the front of my bookshelf. Now that I'm aware of how much I appreciate her, I don't want them to be buried deep within my shelf anymore. :)

For once, I can actually say that I preferred the movie.

Sometimes, less truly is better. The movie's plot is more concise and interesting. It especially includes the part about Goldie's addiction, which adds an extra layer of depth and drama.

The book was also interesting and a relatively quick read. However, it had a lot of outdated thinking. I understand that the novel is set in the 40s - 50s, but the whole backbone of the story is based upon so-called feminism.

There is no intersectionality in the book whatsoever. In fact, there are lots of racial slurs that really put a sour taste in my mouth. To be honest, if it wasn't for Legs' character arc, I probably would have put the book down.

If you want a book about white feminism that contains racial slurs, then this is the one for you. But for those who are looking for a more inclusive and progressive story, I would recommend skipping this book and watching the movie instead.

It is really cool to follow this unique gang as they develop and evolve over the months and years. The mixture of narrations gives a very particular rhythm to the reading, which makes it quite engaging. However, at times, it has left me slightly lost.

The story seems to unfold in a somewhat unpredictable manner, with different perspectives and events交织在一起. This can be both exciting and a bit confusing. But perhaps that's the charm of it all.

As I continue to read, I find myself eager to discover what will happen next to this gang. Will they face more challenges? Will they grow stronger and more united? Only time will tell, and I can't wait to find out.

Foxfire is a unique and engaging young novel that delves into the crucial themes of the fight against violence towards women and animals, as well as the pursuit of emancipation.

It offers a vivid and first-hand account of the struggles that young girls endured during the 1950s and 1960s in America. Reading this novel was not only an interesting experience but also highly informative, shedding light on the daily sexism that a girl from a lower middle class in New York State had to face.

The book left me with a profound sense of gratitude for growing up in an era where women have achieved a certain level of development, although it is a sad reality that not all over the world are women treated as equals to men.

However, I do have some reservations about the way the book portrays men. Almost every male character is depicted in a negative light, as being constantly preoccupied with sex, an alcoholic, a pedophile, a pervert, or simply a cruel person. In my opinion, this creates a one-sided and inaccurate image. I believe that feminism should strive to put women and men on an equal footing, rather than making one gender seem positive and the other negative. While I think Oates walked a fine line in this regard, from a literary perspective, there is no denying the excellence of this novel.

Rereading this made me feel 13 again.

It was as if a time capsule had been opened, and all the memories and emotions of that青涩 age came flooding back.

I could vividly recall the excitement of new experiences, the nervousness of social interactions, and the unbridled enthusiasm for life.

The simple pleasures that once brought so much joy seemed to have been forgotten in the hustle and bustle of adulthood.

But now, through this act of rereading, I was given a chance to reconnect with that younger version of myself.

It was a reminder that, no matter how much time has passed, there is still a part of us that remains unchanged.

We can always find that inner child within and allow it to bring a sense of wonder and playfulness back into our lives.

Rereading this truly was a magical experience that made me appreciate the beauty and simplicity of being 13 once more.

The text seems to express a certain level of disappointment.

It mentions that Joyce Carol Oates had the opportunity to take all her plot lines even further and make Foxfire an even more extreme group, but she didn't. The person writing was there to see men die.

Also, it points out that the n-word is used several times by characters who are more or less explicitly characterized as racists, which was a bit uncomfortable at times.

Perhaps Oates could have explored the themes more deeply and pushed the boundaries even further to create a more impactful and intense story.

The use of the offensive language might have added to the authenticity of the characters and their world, but it also had the potential to make some readers uncomfortable.

Overall, while the text has some interesting points, it also leaves room for improvement in terms of fully realizing the potential of the plot and handling sensitive language more carefully.

I see Joyce Carol Oates as being a heavy hitter in the literary fiction genre. She has an extensive body of work, with many books that are stuffed full of profound and weighty themes. Her writing delves deep into the human condition, exploring complex emotions and social issues.

In my mind, I give her a sort of royal status among long-term women writers. She pairs well with Margaret Atwood, another literary giant. Oddly, I have also given them masculine-sounding monikers, as if they are athletic celebrities: J.C.O.!! Margaret F*_’-ing Atwood!! It's a bit of a lighthearted way to express my admiration for their work.

The Firefox gang shown in this story is really something. Excellently, they are all teenagers, and they all make spectacularly bad decisions. Because the gang members are girls, they face much harsher consequences than boys would. This book unflinchingly shows just how much hatred and misogyny comes from men of all ages, especially when they are looking at girls and women.

All the characters in the story have their flaws and wounds, and readers, if trying to learn something from the story, may not know where to start. However, one nice aspect for female readers is that we can see how to create our own spaces – a Room of One's Own, borrowing from Virginia Woolf's idea. We are not auxiliary members of a guy group; we are our own thing, capable of making new rules and forging our own paths.

It was just much harder in the 1950s, when the plot takes place. The Foxfire members had very few precedent concepts on which to base their activities. And their founding member, while incendiary and inspirational, was also volatile and unstable. Yes, Foxfire burns and burns, but the young founders discovered that they may not have been the flames; instead, they were the twigs, vulnerable and easily broken.

Oh, I absolutely adored this book.

I was well aware that going into it, it was one of Oates’ more experimental texts when it comes to prose. However, I was not in the least bit disappointed.

Moreover, I came to this text after having been burned by two so-called ‘startling debut’ novels that were actually quite terrible. I was in desperate need of returning to an author who remains truly masterful. (I had read ‘Blonde’ earlier in the year on a whim, and it was equally riveting.)

I can firmly state that ‘Foxfire’ goes straight for the jugular. Its amped-up prose, which is written from the perspective of one of the gang members, might initially seem a bit jarring. But once you manage to adapt, you will realize that the story had to be told in this particular way. These girls are seething with anger and suffering, and Oates wants you to experience that intense emotion. You will not soon forget Legs Sadovsky.

For me, this book belongs in the same category as ‘Virgin suicides,’ ‘Girl interrupted,’ and in the latter half, it even echoes Toni Morrison’s ‘Paradise’… almost like a companion piece within the feminist contemporary literature canon.

Set in the Hammond of the 1950s, this book tells the story of a girls' band that wants to stand up to the sexist society of the time.

It is an entertaining book and at times I was really hooked on the reading. However, the way it is written doesn't completely convince me. I'm not sure if it's the author's style or the translation of my edition. For example, there were very long sentences that lacked commas or periods. Another example is that the book is narrated by Maddy, but in many cases she refers to herself in the third person. These details took me out of the narration.

Overall, while the story is engaging, the writing style has some flaws that affected my enjoyment of the book. I still recommend it to those who are interested in stories about female empowerment and the music scene of the 1950s, but be prepared for some quirks in the writing.

I truly adored this book.

I have a deep affection for books that explore complex female friendships and the intensity of those bonds. The story within this book was captivating, and I found the girls to be generally very cool.

It almost evoked a sense of nostalgia for my youth, even though I was never part of a girl gang.

The only aspect that I had some difficulty with was the writing style. It tended to ramble and was very much in a'stream of consciousness' mode, which at times left me confused.

Nevertheless, 'Foxfire burns & burns!!!!!'. It was a book that had its flaws but still managed to draw me in and make me reflect on the power and complexity of female relationships.

Despite the challenges with the writing style, I would still recommend this book to others who are interested in exploring the themes of female friendship and the experiences of growing up.

It offers a unique perspective and a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

DNF at 10%.

I've had this particular book sitting on my shelf for approximately 5 years. However, I've never really been into it. It just didn't capture my interest from the very beginning. Maybe it was the writing style, or perhaps the story didn't hook me.

For all these years, it has been taking up space on my shelf, gathering dust. But now, I've finally decided that it's time to get rid of it. I don't want it to continue to occupy a spot that could be used for a book that I might actually enjoy reading.

I'm looking forward to making some space and finding new books that will truly engage me and keep me entertained. This book has served its time on my shelf, and now it's time for it to move on to a new home.