Deerskin by Robin McKinley Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Deerskin
Book Review: Not as good as expected
Summary: 3 Stars
And I'm not crazy about the authors writing style. I'm just glad she didn't kill off the dog.Book Review: Okay, but not great
Summary: 3 Stars
This is one of those mildly disturbing books. That aren't a bad read, but you're not likely to read again. It's well written, and enjoyable, but the subject matter is not for young kids.Book Review: Well, I'm not Kirkus Reviews
Summary: 4 Stars
"From Kirkus Reviews
A first foray into adult fantasy for the author of such well- received children's books as The Outlaws of Sherwood (1988), etc... Turgid, lurid, soporific fluff. Might have made an adequate fairy tale at a twentieth of the bulk. McKinley will have to do much better than this to capture an adult audience..."
...just an obscure voice on the InterToobs and a guy that used to get paid to write stuff- a "perfessional writer..." I like it well enough that I'm still reading the paperback and sent a request for a Kindle edition. The lady has a nice way with words.
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backhoe
Book Review: Worth reading BUT not this author's best work
Summary: 3 Stars
It's not that I didn't like this novel, but in comparison with four others she wrote (that I loved) I found it lacking. There is less meaningful dialogue between the Princess Lissar and Ossin than I would've expected or liked to have seen, and I felt their relationship needed more development- not a great deal more, but some. Also, I felt the ending was rushed and brief, which is a shame after making the reader wait so long for the resolution. In addition, I found the scene where Lissar confronts the demons of her past- towards the end- a little too unbelievable, that they should re-manifest themselves physically as she remembered them, which to me it seemed they did. And there was, in my opinion, too much talk of "blood between the legs"; being female, I normally wouldn't blink an eye about such allusions, but this was so over-the-top (perhaps not the first time when it was necessary to show her physical and mental state, but definitely the second time) that for a moment I felt like I was reading a feminist eulogy. I suppose I must've been hoping all along for something different than but parallel to the tone and pace, poetry and wisdom of the Blue Sword, but alas, it was not to be. It is still an interesting book, and worth reading, but I do not feel it shows the strengths of the writer as well as some of her other works.Book Review: a great adult fantasy
Summary: 4 Stars
The Setting -- is an old style kingdom, where magic is rumored but never seen. It begins in the court of Lissla's father who rules the largest, most powerful and rich country and is defined by being married to the most beautiful woman in seven kingdoms. But not all of the kingdoms are like his. There are the smaller, more personable kings who rub elbows with their people and endear them by their good hearts and honest concern. I loved the nod to her other books, namely The Blue Sword, which connects her other books and this into a sort of McKinley fairy tale world.
The Characters -- are not always alive on paper. Lissla as the featured character and narrator was alive. You felt her struggle. You knew her and you cheered her on. Ossin is the prince who falls in love with her because of their mutual love for their dogs, and while I will always treasure his character for that last, final chapter and his unfailing acceptance of what happened to her, I wish there was more chemistry on paper between them. Many of the characters though were merely defined by their office, such as doorkeeper, etc.
The Plot -- Deerskin for me is not an easy read. It's no secret I rarely read books that feature abuse of any kind as primary plot devices. But Deerskin is not just about the great evil that happened to Lissla, it's about how she conquered what happened to her through her love and devotion to the one creature that loved her unconditionally: her dog Ash. Lissla's relationship with the dogs teaches her to care again for others, and that is how she can begin the long process of learning to love another person.
Deerskin is a wonderful, adult, fairy tale. I read this in high school and remember being very uncomfortable with it. I reread it now and loved it for the growth and struggles.