British author Selina Hastings, who has adapted such classic works as Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, as well as two Arthurian legends - Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - for children, here turns to another work of medieval literature. Basing her retelling of this medieval beast epic upon the very first translation into English - William Caxton's 1481 The History of Reynard the Fox - she offers up a story that uses new language and form, but retains the narrative super-structure of the original. As she puts it, "the basic plot remains unaltered, as do the animal characters in all their kindness, cruelty, trickiness and charm." Here we have all the major incidents of the history of Reynard, his mistreatment of the other animals, his treachery toward both friend and foe, and his great rhetorical skill, in getting himself out of trouble, when charged with various crimes in the court of the lion king...

First published in 1990, Selina Hastings' Reynard the Fox was one of the most contemporary Reynard retellings that I read, in the course of my research for my masters dissertation on three centuries of children's retellings of this tale in the Anglophone world. I believe that only Alain Vaës' 1994 Reynard the Fox postdated it, when it comes to the various retellings I examined. It's quite interesting to see how the editorial amendments of prior generations - the Victorians, and then the early 20th-century authors - are not kept up here. Hastings has great respect for her source material, and reproduces the original story, complete with Reynard's treachery, his non-repentance, and his eventual triumph. Leaving that aside, this is just a well-told, well-illustrated little volume - humorous, entertaining, and ultimately thought-provoking. Hastings claims in her introduction that Reynard dates back to Roman times, and to Aesop's 'Fable of the Sick Lion.' Whatever one makes of that claim, there can be no doubt that she has produced a Reynard well worth seeking out! ( )

Very very Aesopy. Reynard lies, cheats, steals and whatever else he can think to do. When push comes to shove he, of course, promises to change, and ... well ... you can't really change your nature, can you? At least that's the theory according to this fable. It was well written for children, and a super quick read for adults. And if you let it, it'll make you think for a moment or two. ( )