A review by eyeowna
Deerskin by Robin McKinley

dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This is an adult retelling of the fairy tale “Donkeyskin.” Knowing the fairy tale comes with the trigger warnings: incest, rape, (and in this version of the story) miscarriage. This retelling is a story about survival and choosing to live (with all that entails) more than anything else. We follow the main character, Lissar/Deerskin, through a childhood of neglect, the moment of her sexual assault (not graphically described but the emotions capture horror), the escape into wilderness, and her beginning to heal. The fairy tale elements really kick in with the healing process: Deerskin is given the “gift of time” to heal, alongside other magical blessings from a goddess. She finds people who love her and accept her. The second half/last third(?) of the novel and its setting could be considered cozy fantasy if not for everything that happened before it and Deerskin’s trauma. (This of course makes the coziness all the sweeter.)

Some other thoughts: dogs are super important and the “heart” of this story. I have a goofy and long legged wolfhound mix at home, so the hunting hounds couldn’t help but remind me of a more dignified version of her. The dog does NOT die in this novel. 

The writing style of this novel fit the themes and main character’s psyche, but sometimes it dragged. Very fairy tale and wordy and introspective. I was drawn in by this at the beginning and found the book hard to put down. Then I found it hard not to skim at the end. The magic-filled climactic ending confused me a little. 

This book is not an easy recommend but it packs a punch.
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