A Book Review of Pax by Sara Pennypacker

I read Pax when I was about eight or so, so naturally, I didn’t remember anything about it—only that I enjoyed it.

Recently, I decided to give it a re-read, partly because I felt like it was the type of story I aspire to write.

It was a heart-stopping, captivating journey full of self-discovery that I loved. So much.

~ Blurb ~

Taken from the back of Sara Pennypacker’s book

Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild.

At his grandfather's house, three hundred miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be—with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox.

Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own. . . .

~ My thoughts ~

Pax was a seemingly innocent read that delved into deeper themes. The effect of humans on the wildlife, the journey of self-discovery, and a fox torn between the wild and his boy.

Sara Pennypacker’s writing style was consistent all the way thorough, the characters realistic and with their own personal journeys. I especially sympathized with Vola, and how she was “punishing” herself for killing someone in the war, because she had a guilty conscience. She was an intriguing character.

The descriptions were gorgeous. I could clearly imagine everything as though I had been there right beside Pax. I understood Peter’s frustration, his hurt, his memories with his mother.

Oh, yes. His mother. Those memories--even the one where the bunny died--it choked me up. Just slightly.

I love books that take me on an emotional journey. And Pax was one of them.

Now, for the things I didn’t like so much.

To be honest, there weren’t that many of them. The characters and their personal struggles were obvious to my writer brain, and I loved that.

However, it slightly weirded me out when Vola mentioned a Buddhist concept to Peter. I felt like it was unnecessary and sort of off-putting to people of other religions, like Christianity, because obviously, I don’t believe in that kind of thing. :P

Some scenes were a bit unclear, like the one where there was an explosion in the forest. I wasn’t sure exactly what happened, though that may have been intentional because it was in Pax’s point of view. It wasn’t exactly clear to me what Peter’s father had done that Peter was so angry about, and what Peter’s emotional disability and why he needed a therapist.

Peter’s parents' issues unnerved me slightly. There was a scene where his mom warned Peter “not to be like him” and let anger control him, so I suppose that's what happened with his father. But more details on the family situation and Peter’s relationship with his family could’ve helped clear up some assumptions I was left to make (which, well, they were not good).

And oof, that ending. It was disappointing and yet beautiful at the same time. I didn’t honestly know what to feel about it yet (and if I did try to write my feelings, it would probably come together in an incoherent mess of yells and tears. Just sayin').

~ Genre ~

This was a bit tricky, as I couldn’t quite place whether it was contemporary fiction or historical. Assuming from the “wars” mentioned (it’s not super clear which war it was), it’s possibly historical fiction.

~ Warnings ~

Mentions of the main character cursing (he’s only thirteen!), explosions, blood, minor violence (as in animals fighting), and a fox getting temporarily deaf. Plus some anger issues from the dad, a woman that killed someone (and tells the story of it), dead animals, and an animal losing a leg.

~ Rating ~

I’d give this book 4 ½ stars. The descriptions were beautiful, the storyline was touching, and the message was heartfelt. However, I’d remove half a star for the Buddhist thing, and some scenes and situations weren’t super clear.

~ Age range ~

In my opinion, this book is acceptable for ages 9+. There are some mentions of war impacting the wildlife and animals, and some violence, but it’s described in very little detail. I’d highly suggest older audiences reading it as well, as there are some thought-provoking themes and situations.

Pax is a heartfelt, beautiful, thought-provoking read that is one of three books that made me cry. The messages are deep, and there are subplots of character development rooted in the storyline. Highly recommended.