44 pages 1 hour read

Lillian Hellman

The Little Foxes

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1939

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Drama

Classic Fiction

American Literature

Themes

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Relationships: Siblings

Relationships: Marriage

Topics

Education

History: World