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ansimps2's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Incest
Moderate: Animal cruelty
pilardo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I ate up the prose like I always do for McKinleys writing, and I am a sucker for a romantic pairing. The subject matter was a little too much for me - a much darker theme than I am able to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Incest
felinity's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
If ever there were a writer born to retell folk and fairy tales, it's Robin McKinley. Her language is amazingly descriptive, rich in texture and subtle in use. You have to take your time reading these books, wallowing blissfully in her prose as she draws you into the character, the plot, the magic.
Deerskin is a beautiful retelling of an old tale, sometimes known as Donkeyskin (with a Storyteller variant of Sapsorrow). Despite the tragic and distasteful key to the plot, it is handled wonderfully, not discounted as often happens nor dwelled upon, but treated reverently and carefully, with delicacy and understanding. You survive with Lissar, and then you live with her. I can't say how many times I've read this; it's at least a dozen. Each time I marvel again at Robin McKinley's talent with words.
Deerskin is a beautiful retelling of an old tale, sometimes known as Donkeyskin (with a Storyteller variant of Sapsorrow). Despite the tragic and distasteful key to the plot, it is handled wonderfully, not discounted as often happens nor dwelled upon, but treated reverently and carefully, with delicacy and understanding. You survive with Lissar, and then you live with her. I can't say how many times I've read this; it's at least a dozen. Each time I marvel again at Robin McKinley's talent with words.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, and Incest
holycarollyreading's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Miscarriage, and Rape
dreamreader's review against another edition
Beautifully and sensitively written, but way too triggering for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Miscarriage, and Physical abuse
yarnbandit's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you want to know if any dogs die the answer is no
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Miscarriage, Incest, Sexual violence, and Violence
rosemac's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Incest, and Miscarriage
It’s a beautiful story about the complicated path of healing from trauma—but this includes the upsetting trauma itself.jessicafee86's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
And what he saw was a Moon-haired woman in a Moon-colored dress with a tall Moon-colored dog at her side. She was barefoot, and her hair hung down her back in a single long plait. Her dress was so white it almost hurt the eyes, while the dog’s long curly coat was softer, silver-grey, almost fawn, like the Moon in a summer fog.
There are so many things that I could say about this book, it is one of my all time favorite books. I've read it at least 15 or 20 times over the years. It's a tough read for a lot of reasons, the content is very adult in nature and is a very tough topic to read about. The book is also a slow writing style and takes a bit to get started but it's well worth it. Some people have problems getting past the first part because of the *spoiler alert!* incest between her and her father and the seemingly calm way that she seems to handle it. But it makes more sense when you keep reading and is such a beautiful story. I've never come across a book like this one before, it's definitely not for everyone, but it's worth trying.
2018 Re-read Update: Been a few years since I've read this and it's still just as good as I remember.
2024 Re-Read: It's funny how six years can bring out different feelings. I had forgotten how many things in this book shaped me as a person when I was growing up. I don't think I will ever not love this book. Discovered it around 25 yrs ago and it's still the only book I've re-read consistently.
There are so many things that I could say about this book, it is one of my all time favorite books. I've read it at least 15 or 20 times over the years. It's a tough read for a lot of reasons, the content is very adult in nature and is a very tough topic to read about. The book is also a slow writing style and takes a bit to get started but it's well worth it. Some people have problems getting past the first part because of the *spoiler alert!* incest between her and her father and the seemingly calm way that she seems to handle it. But it makes more sense when you keep reading and is such a beautiful story. I've never come across a book like this one before, it's definitely not for everyone, but it's worth trying.
2018 Re-read Update: Been a few years since I've read this and it's still just as good as I remember.
2024 Re-Read: It's funny how six years can bring out different feelings. I had forgotten how many things in this book shaped me as a person when I was growing up. I don't think I will ever not love this book. Discovered it around 25 yrs ago and it's still the only book I've re-read consistently.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Grief, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal cruelty, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
planreadrepeat's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Incest, Rape, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
loganrhps's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Wonderfully written story filled with hardship and hope. I got extremely attached to the main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence