Reviews

Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky

Only show reviews with written explanations

annouk's review

Go to review page

4.0

Really enjoyed this one.

blueberrymilk's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

emmakjv's review

Go to review page

5.0

Margaret Murphy’s earliest memory is the day of the schoolyard flood, when her best friend, four-year-old Agnes, died. As speculations begin to swirl around Margaret’s responsibility, her mother firmly denies she was even there, but Agnes’ mother blames young Margaret, causing divisions in friends and families.

As Margaret grows in size, faith and creativity, she must piece together the tragic events of her early life. Soon, Poor Deer, a premonition of her past, comes to haunt her imagination, both acting like a conscious and demanding retribution.

In classic Claire Oshetsky fashion, the characters of Poor Deer grab ahold of your heart. This tale is full of love and sadness that you must enter into.

I somehow missed that this novel was by the author of one of my all-time favorite books, Chouette, and when I realized that, it made sense why I loved it so much. I devoured 90% of it in one day (and the rest the next morning). I absolutely could not put it down.

elbot's review

Go to review page

dark hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I loved it - poetic and beautiful and haunting. Looked about childhood and grief in a nostalgic and tragic way, but the end provides a redemption that I felt I really needed by the end of the book.