This book was another recommendation I received at BookShop.org, and I’m beginning to think the site has some sort of psychic connection to my brain. Regardless, The Fox’s Tower and Other Tales by Yoon Ha Lee was an excellent addition to my reading list.
It’s a short collection of very short stories, only 97 pages, and the longest story is about 4 1/2 to 5 pages. But what it lacks in length it makes up for in content. Each story reads like a fairy tale, whimsical and magical. But they are also like Aesop’s fables in that there’s a grain of truth, something to think about, or a lesson to be learned from each one. Some are more obvious than others, but I found myself pausing at the end of each story to let it sink in.
Of the twenty-five tales, the one that hit me the hardest was “Two Bakeries”. The story is about, well, two bakeries that operate side-by-side in a village. One has a lovely sign outside and the baker creates the fanciest of breads, “…speckled with golden raisins and currants like secret treasures; bread that tasted of mountain honey or molasses…”. The other bakery has no signage and only bakes plain, heavy loaves.
However, the latter bakery has repeat customers and is always selling out of their stock. The fancy baker is perplexed and goes over to speak with the plain baker to ask what her secret is. While I won’t spoil the story, I will say that her answer pulled at my heartstrings and made me smile. It’s a wonderful story.
In fact, every story is wonderful. Lee is a poetic writer who weaves beautiful images with words. Every single story is like a painting and forms wonderful images in the imagination.
A fun fact to share: Lee is a mathematician by trade and “finds it a source of continual delight that math can be mined for story ideas” (from the bio in the back of the book). Of all the sources of inspiration for fiction, I never would have considered math to be one. I’m a fan of the saying, “I’m an English major, you do the math!”. But in Lee’s case, there’s a magical connection between the two.
The Fox’s Tower and Other Tales is a wonderful collection of short, short stories that I highly recommend. It’s full of beautiful writing, fun characters (foxes make repeated appearances), and stories that both delight and make the reader think. If you’re looking for a fun, springtime read, please pick up a copy.
RB
I must get a copy of this. Thanks for the tip Rich.
Excellent! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Sounds like a great book. BTW, dunno if the book will hit on it,, but half of the plain bakery’s secret was supplying what’s actually in demand 😉
That’s not quite the gist, but you aren’t too far off the mark!
OH I know it wasn’t the gist, I was simply pointing out that a basic rule of business applied there as well, lol. The fancy baker had too specialized a niche and in too small a market. 😉
Love the premise of the two bakeries! This book sounds delightful, Richard! As a big fan of short stories and fairytales, I’m so happy that you brought this book to our attention. Wonderful review!
Thank you, my friend. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Now I want to read the story about the two bakeries. Great review.
Thanks, Pat. I think you’d really enjoy this one.
This brings me back to my childhood!
While I don’t remember the name of the book anymore, my favorite books was also a collection of short stories accompanied with drawings.
And hence why I started the Creative Gems project where I ask authors to write a short story based on any of my drawings on the website.
We are on book 4 now, so if you’re interested… anyone can join! 🙂
If I can find the book on any of my apps, I will definitely read it. It will bring me back to my childhood for sure 🙂
Funny how some books stick with us even decades later.
Your project sounds interesting. I may take a look and see if I can come up with something. Cheers!