“The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest” (Little Brown 2025) by Aubrey Hartman is the uplifting story of a young undead male fox named Clare who ushers
recently deceased animal souls into the Afterlife. Each soul will spend the Afterlife in the realms of either Progress, Peace, Pleasure, or Pain.
Clare disguises what he sees as his disfigurement, wearing a large hooded cherry red velvet cloak, and a monocle to disguise his mangled eye. He lives in a small cottage in the middle of Deadwood Forest where he cultivates mushrooms, such as blushes and glass cups. He sits in his garden and talks to his beloved mushrooms, especially the largest, Captain.
He gives his mushrooms to Nine, the rat, who lives at the dump and sells the fungi for medicinal uses. The rats have found a silk purse full of money and offer it to Clare for kindling, saying, “I’ve seen humans kill each other over this stuff.” And Clare refuses the money, saying he has plenty of dry leaves, and “They also deliberately poison their own gardens, so we’re not talking about the brightest mammals in the macrocosm.” Aubrey gets her well placed jabs into humanity.
Clare lives quietly as recently deceased animals come to his door, at which point, he ushers them into one of the domains. Clare fears that when he’s replaced by the next usher, he’ll spend eternity in Pain, because his predecessor told him so.
One evening near Hallowed Eve, the night that each of the realms opens and pulls souls into them, Gingersnipes, a meek she-badger comes to his door. Like many souls, she’s confused and doesn’t know why she’s there. Death can happen so suddenly!
The somewhat irascible fox doesn’t like badgers, and he soon suspects that Gingersnipes is the next chosen usher, someone who will usurp his job, casting him into the realm of Pain. Clare says they must go see Hesterfowl who will somehow help Clare keep his position. The badger and fox brave a river of cottonmouth snakes. Clare finds Gingersnipes annoyingly nice. And helpful. And caring. A mob of angry boars, porcupines, and coyotes are ready to attack Clare. Gingersnipes protects and defends him.
Besides being dramatic, this story is slyly humorous. Such as when the narrator describes tortoises who are the “socialites of the woods” and are to be distrusted. He says of them, “rock bellies collected relationships in the same way squirrels gathered nuts—that is to say, with very little discretion.”
Clare sees flashes of other animals’ memories, which help him discern how they are hurt or broken or insecure. That, and Gingersnipes kindness soften the cranky fox’s outlook on others. The quest brings them to a peaceful outcome, although there are questions as to what happens.
This is a story of loss and “…how to let go. Or when it is right. How not to let go. How to hold on, however gently, to the memory of that which is lost.” “Grief will always be there, taking up space” but you can learn to carry it. And your job is to welcome joy “until your grief looks small in comparison.”
Each chapter opens with a detailed drawing by Marcin Minor which makes sense only once you’ve read that chapter. Minor also made the fabulous cover art. Revel in the art as well as this remarkable story. And be joyous when you read the afterword.
Patricia Hruby Powell is the author of the award-winning books: Josephine; Lift As You Climb; Loving vs Virginia; and Struttin’ With Some Barbecue all signed and for sale at Jane Addams bookstore. Her forthcoming books are about women’s suffrage, Martha Graham, and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as waterfowl. talesforallages.com
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