44 pages • 1 hour read
The Little Foxes
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Book Brief
108
Play • Fiction
Alabama • 1900s
1939
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Set in 1900 Alabama, Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes follows the Hubbard siblings—Regina, Ben, and Oscar—who scheme to build a cotton mill to amass wealth, manipulating family, love interests, and societal roles. Meanwhile, family secrets unfold, leading to treachery and domestic conflict as Regina aims to control her ailing husband's share of the investment. Features violence, substance abuse, and racism.
Dark
Suspenseful
Unnerving
Gritty
Reviews & Readership
5,420 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman is highly acclaimed for its gripping narrative and sharp critique of greed and moral decay. Critics commend Hellman's strong characterizations and powerful dialogue. However, some feel the play's intense focus on avarice may overshadow other thematic elements. Overall, it remains a riveting and thought-provoking drama.
Who Should Read The Little Foxes?
Readers who appreciate The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman typically enjoy intense family dramas and complex power struggles. Comparable to works like A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams and Long Day's Journey Into Night by Eugene O'Neill, this audience values intricate character development, moral ambiguity, and Southern Gothic themes.
5,420 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ben Hubbard
Ben Hubbard
The eldest Hubbard brother who navigates family conflicts with a composed demeanor while protecting his own interests.
Oscar Hubbard
Oscar Hubbard
The younger Hubbard brother, quick-tempered and controlling, pursuing wealth and family dominance.
Horace Giddens
Horace Giddens
Regina's husband, who returns home from treatment for a heart condition, bringing with him a shift in perspective.
Birdie Hubbard
Birdie Hubbard
Oscar's wife, fond of music and alcohol, who longs for the gentler times of her aristocratic past.
Alexandra (Zan) Giddens
Alexandra (Zan) Giddens
Regina and Horace's 17-year-old daughter, torn between childhood and adulthood, with a strong sense of morality.
Leo Hubbard
Leo Hubbard
Oscar and Birdie's son, known for his troublemaking ways and interest in quick gains.
Addie
Addie
A devoted family employee who cares deeply for Alexandra and expresses a strong moral perspective on societal injustices.
108
Play • Fiction
Alabama • 1900s
1939
Adult
18+ years
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