Book Review - Pax

Pax

Sara Pennypacker

Balzer & Bray 2016

American

Years 4-8

What’s it about?

Set in an intentionally vague time and place (although recognisably American), Pax is the story of a boy and his pet fox Pax. Peter is a sensitive boy who is grieving the unexpected death of his mother. Peter rescued Pax as a baby kit after his family had all died. With patience and love Peter tames the animal and the two soon form a bond, even though Peter’s father never seems very keen on having the animal in the house. War is coming and Peter’s father enlists and decides to send Peter off to live with his grandfather. On the way, Peter is forced to release Pax into the wild as he cannot bring him to live with his grandfather. After just one night at this grandfather’s house, Peter cannot bear the separation and decides to go back to where he left Pax and rescue him - a distance of some hundreds of miles. Not only does he miss his pet but he fears that having never lived in the wild, the animal will not be able to cope. Peter sets out but soon runs into calamity as he breaks his leg and despite his most valiant efforts he cannot go on. Luckily for him, he is rescued by Vola, a rather reclusive women, living in the woods who helps Peter heal in all ways. The story is told in alternate chapters through the eyes of Peter and the fox who has to accustom himself in a world that is foreign to him, although his natural instincts kick in to help him adjust.

What’s good about it?

This is a fantastic book. It’s one of those books that manages to be simultaneously simple and complex. The writing is effortless, the imagery beautiful and the plot moves along at sufficient pace to keep readers interested. Although there are many issues to consider in this books such as man’s disregard for nature and animals and the evil of war, the overarching theme is redemption. Peter is a deeply wounded yet quietly determined boy with enormous loyalty and courage. Both his father and grandfather are rather cold and unsympathetic and it is difficult to like them. Neither seems able to give Peter the love and affection he needs to recover from his mother’s death. That role is left to Vola, who, like Peter is sensitive and deeply affected by events in her past. She sees herself as unworthy of human company and hides away in the woods. However, it is her love for Peter that heals both of them.

The star of the book is, of course, the fox Pax, I found myself wanting to return to the foxes story more than the human one. The author does not overplay her hand in her depiction of fox life, and I believe she did quite a lot of research into their habits so I felt that it was realistic in details (in so far as we can know what an animal really thinks). I found myself interested and sympathetic to foxes who are rather misunderstood - think sly fox stereotypes!. Pax is just as brave as Peter as he tries to find his human friend but at the same time attracted to a life that he naturally should live.

What’s not so good about it?

Although it ends happily, this is quite a sad book and some readers may be distressed by the plight of the foxes and other animals.

Who would like it?

Animal lovers. Lovers of a good story. Readers who don't mind sad stories