Foxfire is undoubtedly the book that had the most profound impact on me during my middle school years. You may take this claim as you will, but I am truly delighted to discover that, in contrast to The Catcher in the Rye, it still holds up when read with the perspective of an adult. Of course, now, a decade older than the last time I delved into its pages, I have identified certain flaws in some of the characters whom I adored as a teenager. However, I can also perceive a sense of desperation and naivete that eluded my understanding before. This remarkable book is just one of many that firmly establish Oates as a member of the hall of fame of outstanding American writers.

It is a testament to the power of literature that a book can have such a lasting influence. Foxfire continues to resonate with me, even after all these years. It serves as a reminder of the complex emotions and experiences that we encounter during our formative years. Oates' ability to capture the essence of adolescence and the human condition is truly remarkable. Her vivid descriptions and well-developed characters bring the story to life, making it a truly engaging read.

Whether you are a teenager or an adult, Foxfire is a book that is well worth reading. It offers valuable insights into the lives of young people and the challenges they face. It also showcases the talent and creativity of one of America's greatest writers. So, if you haven't already read Foxfire, I highly recommend that you do so. You won't be disappointed.

Foxfire is a truly remarkable book that has a unique charm of its own.

At the beginning, I struggled with its choppy stream-of-consciousness style. I had to re-read the initial few pages multiple times to get a grip on it. However, as I delved deeper, around the first third of the book, I started to appreciate the odd prose style. The run-on sentences, capital letters, and lack of punctuation actually added to the allure, dragging my eye across the page and making it nearly impossible to put down. I ended up reading most of the last two hundred pages in one sitting, and I can't recall the last time I finished a book so quickly.

Foxfire is a multi-faceted masterpiece. It is simultaneously a scathing critique of the status of women in post-World War Two America, a coming-of-age novel, an exciting and action-packed saga of a girl-gang in poor, working-class New York, and above all, a vivid portrait of Margaret “Legs” Sadovsky. The book excels on all these fronts, but it is the portrayal of Legs and her motivations that has left the deepest impression on me.

In many ways, Legs is as complex as the book itself. She is both courageous and naïve, a passionate advocate of individuality and freedom. Throughout the story, she spouts socialist phrases and ideologies, yet she may not fully understand their true meanings. She also experiments with the commonly accepted paradigms of gender and power. One particularly memorable scene is when she discovers her sexual power while dressing up as a man for a job interview. This moment is one of the most surreal and unforgettable episodes in the entire book.

Although the book is narrated by the quieter and more bookish Maddie Wirtz, it is undoubtedly Legs' story. The Foxfire gang is her creation, and she becomes a unique combination of a bully and a mother-hen to the group of lost girls under her care. One can think of Legs as a female Peter Pan, with the working-class town of Hammond, New York, serving as her Never-Never Land, a vast playground for female passion and imagination gone wild.

The story is told in a remarkable, childlike style that places a strong emphasis on the visual. Some of the images seem to leap right off the page, and as I was reading, I couldn't help but think that the book would make an excellent film. In fact, I later learned that there is a Foxfire movie starring Angelina Jolie. This surprised me because while reading, I had pictured Keira Knightley as Legs Sadovsky.

One example of the book's focus on image is the frequent use of heavenly motifs. Joyce Carol Oates emphasizes 'sky' and 'altitude' throughout the text. In fact, the sky takes on an almost salvific quality for Maddie and Legs, the two main protagonists. Legs' interest in the heavens is established early on, and both characters develop a habit of looking upwards whenever they want to escape their dull, earthly circumstances. One such instance is a memorable scene where Legs climbs a tall water tower to flee from a seething crowd of male oppressors on Memorial Day Weekend. Later, while confined to an isolation ward in prison, she finds comfort in watching a group of hawks circle outside her window.

In addition, Maddie also develops a fascination with stars and astronomy. She is often shown reading astronomy books throughout the story. At the end, it is revealed that she eventually becomes an astronomer's assistant and is even married to an astronomer for a time. While it's not certain whether this repetition was intentional, Joyce Carol Oates strikes me as a highly deliberate writer, so it's likely that these motifs are not entirely accidental.

She is also an incredibly prolific writer. So far, I've only read two of her novels, Foxfire and them, so I can't compare Foxfire to the rest of her body of work. However, both novels have left me highly impressed with the quality of Ms. Oates' writing, and I look forward to exploring her extensive oeuvre in the years to come.

Foxfire is by far my favorite of the two books. It is well worth reading, offering tightly written prose, memorable characters, and a thrilling climax for those willing to persevere through the first fifty pages. Some may argue that the male characters in the book are weak and one-dimensional, but I didn't see it that way. While it's true that men are portrayed as the villains in Foxfire, Ms. Oates seems to be making an effort to give them some depth. Mr. Whitney Kellogg, the main male character, comes across as rather nice compared to the male characters in them. For all these reasons, I highly recommend Foxfire, not only as a captivating story but also as a great introduction to Ms. Oates' work.

The book is so much better than the movie.

Sure, in the movie, we might get to see Angelina Jolie's tits, but that's about it.

The movie often simplifies the story, leaving out important details and character developments that are present in the book.

The written word allows for a deeper exploration of the characters' thoughts, emotions, and motives.

It gives the reader the opportunity to imagine the scenes and settings in their own minds, creating a more personal and immersive experience.

In contrast, the movie is limited by its runtime and the need to appeal to a wide audience.

It may sacrifice depth for the sake of entertainment.

So, while the movie may have its moments, the book is truly the superior medium for experiencing this particular story.

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

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

Personally, it was challenging for me to directly connect with a book centered around a gang of girls who engaged in rebellious acts and had to navigate the difficulties of living in the 50s. However, the main connection I was able to draw was based on the fact that both myself and the characters are teenagers with a desire for freedom.

While the girls in Foxfire view freedom as escaping from home due to unfavorable circumstances, I see it as voluntarily leaving the security of my home to pursue my own desires. Although our paths to achieving freedom may differ, both the girls and I are driven by the same goal. They express their pursuit through violence and crime, while I hope to achieve it through success and my passion for other things.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the various aspects it explored. It was fascinating to witness how these girls lived and the lengths they went to in order to survive, all while being part of a loving, albeit non-blood-related, family.