The Inspiration behind Tales from The Foxes of Foxham by Matteo Sedazzari

As a child, my parents encouraged me to read Wind in the Willows, 101 Dalmatians, and The Faraway Tree novels. These books, and more, fired my imagination. How I longed to stand with Toad and co as they fought to reclaim Toad Hall, help the dalmatian puppies escape the clutches of Cruella de Vil, or find a tree in a wood, climb to the top and discover a magical land.

As I developed an appetite for these adventure stories, my older brother acquired an interest in Horror films. For a birthday or Christmas present, he would get books about the films in this genre. And as the curious kid that I was and am as an adult, I would read these books from cover to cover. Again I was transported, only this time to creepy castles with vampires and much ghoulishly more.

Around this time, the 1970s in the UK, the BBC would air a horror double bill on a Saturday night. The first film was usually a Universal classic, followed by a Hammer or Amicus film. My parents were kind enough to allow us to stay up to watch these movies, and we relished them.

My English grandparents moved from Essex to Norfolk, and their home was near woods, old churches with cemeteries, stately homes, and wonderful country lanes. My grandfather would take me for walks in the woods to watch the foxes. Then, on one visit my grandmother gave me a knitted fox that she had made. Straight away I fell in love with the toy, and called him Foxy. Soon after my parents bought a stuffed toy fox in Ludham, Norfolk so Foxy could have a brother, who I called Ferdy.

Then the magic was enhanced when my brother and I discovered Readers Digest’s Folklore Myths and Legends of Britain in my grandparents’ bookcase. We learned with delight about ghosts, witches, giants, and other fables.

As I got older, my passion moved to music, fashion and football; just like the classic children’s books and horror films of my past, I immersed myself with my newfound interests. Yet I knew that I would return to the books, horror films and Norfolk of my childhood one day.

A big fast forward to 2015, my first novel, A Crafty Cigarette Tales of a Teenage Mod, was published, then my second, The Magnificent Six in Tales of Aggro, came out in 2019. Both books are about British sub-cultures written in a humorous rite of passage narrative. Yet, I wanted to pay homage to my first passions with my third novel, Tales from The Foxes of Foxham.

Andy Catling, a seasoned illustrator, has joined me on this journey, producing wonderful and captivating images.

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A magical adventure story set in 1950s Naples and Norfolk, packed with colourful characters and exciting situations, in a classic battle of good versus evil.

The late fifties and the Witches of Benevento are determined to plunge the world into darkness by kidnapping and sacrificing the jolly and young Neapolitan fox, Alberto Bandito, in a sinister ritual.

Yet, fortunately for Alberto, he is rescued

But Alberto has been cursed. So, the young fox, along with his family, has to travel to the village of Foxham in Norfolk, the spiritual home of foxes across the world, to rid himself of this spell. The ritual has to be performed by a good fox witch, Trudi Milanese, but there is a problem, Trudi doesn’t know she is a witch….

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And oh, Foxy and Ferdy appear in the book!

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‘Another enjoyable romp!’ – Steve White, Drummer, (The Style Council, Paul Weller)

‘An Absolute Triumph’ – Loire Magazine

‘A wonderfully original story that certainly appealed to me and my daughter, who loved it’ – Our Favourite Shelf: Mod & Beyond in Print

‘Fictional fantasy fun, with a sprinkling of Harry Potter and Star Wars ethics to add to the aura.’ – Scootering Magazine

‘A lesson on understanding, empathy, inclusion, and expectancy.’ – Mods Of Your Generation

© Matteo Sedazzari