Description
Kai Song is the only daughter of a respected general who earned acclaim and respect for defeating the Gumiho, the nine-tailed fox demon who stalks the forests and preys on humans. Unlike other young women her age, Kai is more interested in practicing martial arts with her brothers than learning how to be a proper bride. Her doting mother, Meorhu, wants only the best for Kai, who is coming of age. Actions have consequences, and a well-kept secret starts to unravel. Mother and daughter must reckon with the past by retracing their connection to Gumiho.
Author and illustrator Robin Ha’s first venture into fiction is an absolute wonder, an outstanding story that deals with issues of identity, ancestral legacy, and destiny. Set during the Joseon Dynasty in 16th century Korea, The Fox Maidens is a queer retelling of the legend of Gumiho and an exploration of the concept of han, the “unsatiated longing for a life fully lived.”
I am not of Korean ancestry, and I read the book from a decolonial lens. I appreciated learning about traditional community values of integrity, duty, and awareness of one’s impact on others. Kai is the ultimate feminist hero, as she goes against restrictive societal mores. The author provides adequate background about Korean perspectives and worldviews shaped by animist spirituality and Buddhism.