The Fox In the Cupboard: A Memoir

by Jane Shilling

A personal account of the author's experiences with the lesser-known and sometimes humorous world of horses and hunting outlines her decision to fulfill her childhood dream of learning to ride, her lessons from a Master of Foxhounds, and her observations about the recent fox hunting ban. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Memoir

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 25, 2004

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read pony books like mad as a child, but never quite understood the whole culture of riding to hounds. The author is also an outsider and her memoir recounts her journey as a middle-aged single mother learning to ride and joining a hunt. Since it's not really key to the theme, she doesn't get much into the blood sports argument and lets the reader draw her own conclusions.

[Roz Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a while ago so my memory of it is hazy, but I love this book. I can remember only generalisations, but what I do recall is that the writing is crystal clear, the tongue-biting adrenaline of hunting beautifully evoked, the horses and horsey people ornery and three-dimensional. Oh, and I'll wait a bit longer until I remember nothing at all of it and then happily read it again.

[Earthwatchaddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book for a new foxhunter to read. Her descriptions of the riding lesson experience and being new to the hunt field were spot on. Portions having to do with the history of fox hunting and the English politics dragged a bit. Overall it was very enjoyable.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir of an English woman who starts riding in life and within a few years begins to foxhunt just as it is being banned. Interesting read on life in England and riding.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great mix of memoir and cultural examination of fox hunting.