Fantastic Mr Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970) is a children’s novel by British author Roald Dahl. One of Dahl’s most acclaimed and enduring titles, the novel follows an anthropomorphic fox—the titular Mr. Fox—and his animal friends, who live near three cruel farmers. Although the farmers continually attempt to kill the animals, Mr. Fox and his friends are able to outsmart them and steal all the food they want. Fantastic Mr. Fox, like many of Dahl’s works, is a story about triumphing over cruel and selfish forces. The novel explores the importance of family and friends as well as the power of intelligence in overcoming strength. It also has an environmentalist message, focusing on the conflict between man and the natural world.

Having remained in print around the world since its release, Fantastic Mr. Fox won the 1994 BILBY Award in Australia. Two audiobook recordings were released, with the first being narrated by Roald Dahl himself. The novel has been adapted into stage plays and an opera; however, the best known version is likely the critically acclaimed film adaptation (2009) directed by Wes Anderson and starring George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray.

This guide is based on the Puffin Books version reissued in 2007.