Rating: 4/5

There is a new addition to the repository of translated fables and it is a collection of stories from medieval Armenia. Foxbook: Medieval & Contemporary Fables from Armenia is a fascinating compilation served in bite-sized chunks, making for easy reading. In Sar Kamler’s well-researched introduction, we learn that the title Foxbook draws from the recurrence of the fox as a central character in many Armenian fables. That aside, this book also features a gamut of animals, plants and inanimate objects through its 216 fables, a majority of which were written by notable medieval Armenian figures like Vardan Aygektsi and Mkhitar Gosh.

In the field of didactic literature, none holds as much popularity as fables by Aesop, a Greek storyteller. Kamler notes that Armenian fables are heavily influenced by Aesop, and these influences are apparent upon reading the book. Vardan Aygektsi’s The Poor Man and The Golden Egg-laying Turkey, for instance, is a direct counterpart to Aesop’s The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs, while stories like Aesop’s The Rooster, The Fox and The Dog are modified with reference to Armenian culture.

This book presents a glimpse into medieval Armenian society and its thinking, often championing the cause of the common man and at times displaying a surprisingly disdainful attitude towards royalty. Despite that, most of the observations on human behaviour hold relevance today, the caveat being that the reader acknowledges that these stories are a product of their time and therefore may be interpreted differently today. It is nevertheless quite a thrill to find contemporary issues addressed in these fables – A Man and Garlic, for instance, speaks to our obsession with supplements while The Old Warrior makes a commentary on our desire for a youthful appearance.

There is little to criticise in this timeless translated collection, and it is filled with insights that are concise and relevant. Featuring stunning AI-generated illustrations of surreal scenes, the book is a visual delight as it is educational. It would suit people looking for a quick read, as well as anyone interested in immersing themselves in a different historical and cultural context through literature. For the adventure-seekers, the book also hides a riddle within its pages – one that I unfortunately could not solve.

This review was first published on Reedsy Discover on 24 September 2023.

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