Mountainside Mutts Book Club (May) Review:
Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship by Catherine Raven

Mountainside Mutts Book Club Review Rating: 🦴🦴🦴

Catherine Raven’s Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship may be the most divisive book we’ve read in our club to date. A few members were deeply moved—spoiler alert, they were heartbroken by the ending. Others (myself included) found it harder to connect, despite wanting to like it.

The premise is undeniably compelling: a solitary, middle-aged woman living in the vastness of Montana begins an unusual friendship with a wild fox who visits her yard regularly to sunbathe and observe the world. It’s the fox who initiates this relationship, and the author—lonely and untethered—gradually becomes captivated by his presence. She shapes her days around his visits and begins to interpret them as meaningful, even transformative.

Where the book lost me was in the writing. The structure felt disjointed, and for a long stretch, it was hard to pin down any kind of narrative arc. At times, Raven’s tone veered between overly academic and, frankly, a bit patronizing—like the reader needed to be brought up to speed rather than brought along for the journey.

A personal sticking point for me was her extended criticism of English fox hunting. While I’m no supporter of the tradition, her tone came off as alienating. Critiquing another culture’s customs in such a sweeping way felt jarring, especially when there are plenty of modern practices in the U.S. that invite similar scrutiny. Perhaps this struck a nerve because of my own background, but the moment felt less like thoughtful reflection and more like a lecture.

Some of our members were more forgiving and appreciated Raven’s self-described social awkwardness. Maybe that awkwardness hit a little too close to home for me to find it endearing, but I admire the honesty it took to put that vulnerability on the page.

Still, I’m glad I finished the book. The second half flowed better—whether by design or simply as the author became more comfortable with her story, I can’t say. As her bond with Fox deepened, so did her awareness of the human connections around her. By the end, she seemed to step more fully into the world, less reclusive and more grateful. Whatever you think of the journey, it undeniably changed her.

An interesting note from our club: some members listened to the audiobook (narrated by someone other than the author) and found it created an even greater distance from Raven. Hearing the author read her own words often adds richness and connection—something that seemed missing here.

In the end, we gave Fox and I a 3 out of 5. It was thought-provoking, occasionally moving, and certainly unlike anything else we’ve read. But unless you know someone very well—and their tolerance for introspective narrative—it’s probably not a book you’d pick to gift.

Next Up:

Do you live in Rutland, Vermont and love books about nature? Our book club meets approximately every 6 weeks. What unites our members is a love for the animals and the natural world around us. Come join us.

Mountainside Mutts Book Club  selection (July) is: On Trails by Robert Moor. We’ll meet on 16 July 2025. We’d love to have you join the discussion. You can even join via Zoom. Find us on the Book Clubs App or email: als@mountainsidemutts.com for further information.