The Foxman

by Gary Paulsen
audiobook 3 discs
performed by Johnny Heller
genre: YA realistic fiction

Overall, this was a wonderful story of a teenage boy growing up. Some of the language choices were odd - not exactly outdated, but weird. I can't remember the phrase Paulsen used for lip balm . . . it wasn't Chapstick, but close. An odd term I'd never heard before.

The north woods setting, the uncle and aunt who take him in when his alcoholic parents become abusive, the elusive and mysterious Foxman all add up to a wonderful coming-of-age story for Carl.

The ending was so sad, but fitting. Heller's vocal work is fine for the story.


(Above posted 11.02.2017. Below added 04.14.2020.)

We actually own this audiobook, so while the libraries were closed due to Covid-19, I grabbed it to re-listen in the car.

Carl is actually the cousin that the protagonist goes to live with. I can't remember the protagonist's name and now I'm wondering if Paulsen ever gave him one! He is the one who is drawn to the Foxman and who grows so much over the course of the story. (Though his cousin Carl gets his teenage girlfriend pregnant and will most definitely have some growing up going on!)

When he gets snow blindness and panics, I love the observation he makes about how easy it is to be level-headed when you're in the comfort of your own home and how hard it can be to think clearly when you're panicking.

Also, he let the books burn with the cabin?!?!? Why???

In the author's notes at the end of the story, I was again struck by Paulsen's reference to praying to luck or "whatever" is out there. After I read one of his other books where he basically said he had done too many bad things to be forgiven by God, I wrote him a letter explaining that ALL have sinned and fall short of God's glory. God loves all His creation, Mr. Paulsen. Just ask Him. (I never sent the letter . . . )

There was a lot of autobiographical info in the book. The author interview was very interesting.