Fantastic Mr Fox

Fantastic Mr Fox is a children's novel written by Roald Dahl. It was first published in 1970 in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. and in the United Kingdom by George Allen & Unwin. The story is about a clever fox named Mr. Fox who lives with his family and outwits his human neighbors to steal food for his family.

Plot Summary

The story follows the adventures of Mr. Fox, who lives in a hole under a tree with his wife, Mrs. Fox, and their four children. Mr. Fox regularly steals food from three mean and wealthy farmers named Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. The farmers are determined to catch Mr. Fox and stop him from stealing their food. They try various methods to capture him, including digging up his hole and surrounding it with armed guards.

Mr. Fox, however, is too clever for them. He devises a plan to dig a tunnel to each of the farmers' storage areas and steal their food directly. With the help of his family and friends, including Badger, Mole, and Weasel, Mr. Fox successfully outsmarts the farmers and secures enough food to feed his family and friends indefinitely.

Characters

• Mr. Fox: The protagonist of the story, known for his cunning and resourcefulness.
• Mrs. Fox: Mr. Fox's supportive and caring wife.
• Boggis: A chicken farmer who is one of the antagonists.
• Bunce: A duck and goose farmer, another antagonist.
• Bean: A turkey and apple farmer, the third antagonist.
• Badger: A friend of Mr. Fox who helps in the plan to steal food.
• Mole: Another friend who assists in the tunneling.
• Weasel: A friend who also helps in the plan.

Themes

The novel explores themes such as family, resourcefulness, and the struggle between the oppressed and the oppressors. Mr. Fox's cleverness and determination highlight the importance of ingenuity and perseverance in overcoming challenges.

Adaptations

Fantastic Mr Fox has been adapted into various media, including a 2009 stop-motion animated film directed by Wes Anderson. The film features the voices of George Clooney as Mr. Fox and Meryl Streep as Mrs. Fox. The story has also been adapted into stage plays and radio dramas.

Reception

The book has been well-received since its publication and is considered a classic of children's literature. It has been praised for its engaging story, memorable characters, and Dahl's unique writing style.

See Also

• Roald Dahl
• Children's literature
• Stop-motion animation
• Wes Anderson