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Product Description
Product Description
When her growing beauty begins to resemble her mother's too closely, Princess Lissar must flee her father's wrath, and, in doing so, she unlocks a door into a world of magic.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is, in my opinion, Robin McKinley's best book -- and I've read every one from "Beauty" to "Rose Daughter". Deerskin reminded me of a dream, one that starts out quiet and detached, grows into a nightmare, and then changes into a somewhat-happy ending. It isn't just a "fairy tale" or an adventure story like The Hero and the Crown. It's a story about going through a horrifying experience and living, not just to tell about it, but to make yourself whole again. McKinley's writing style is wonderful -- she writes some of the most beautiful English I've ever read. Lissar's world drew me in, and I finished the book completely exhausted. "Deerskin" was one of the very few books I've read -- along with Madeline L'Engle's "A Ring of Endless Light" and Patricia McKillip's "The Changeling Sea" -- that totally changed me. I will admit, however, that the subject matter is disturbing. I would not recommend this book to anyone under the age of fifteen. Even some older readers expecting a "nice" book like "Beauty" may be upset by "Deerskin". I read it as a fairly mature seventeen-year-old and was still disturbed in places. An enormously powerful book.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I am a therapist, specializing in work with children and women in crisis. Deerskin is one of the books I use in therapy with girls and women who have been sexually abused by their fathers. The women and girls get a sense that they are not alone and things will get better. Sometimes it takes several readings but it works. I don't feel that the story really bogs down all that much. In her new persona, our heroine has to learn how to give and recieve love that is healthy and helps her to become a whole person. I strongly recommend this book because not only do I think its a good theraputic tool but its also a good read.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Deerskin is Robin McKinley's most disturbing and powerful book, and possibly her most beautiful.
The heroine, Princess Lissar, is beautiful, royal, and a survivor. "Deerskin" rips apart our most
treasured little-girl fantasies - that being beautiful, rich, royal and the belle of the ball must
be wonderful; that families are perfect, and that princes are always handsome.
The story is riveting, sometimes even painful to read. McKinley's incomparable
skill with language draws us into the kingdom ruled by Lissar's handsome and heroic father, and her mother,
"the most beautiful woman in seven kingdoms" - the quintessential fantasy land. When Lissar's mother dies, her
father's grief knows no bounds, and eventually takes a sinister turn. The illusion of perfection is forever shattered,
along with Lissar's trust - and her life as she knows it. The tale of this traumatized young girl's
survival and her growth into a remarkable woman (with just a little magic thrown in) is the rest of
the story. Add a faithful dog and the love of a most unlikely prince to complete the fairy tale. "Deerskin's" enchantment springs from the
lovely but dangerous realms of the original tales of the Brothers Grimm. It's not for children. McKinley's other books are
stunningly beautiful. "Deerskin" is beautiful - and stunning.
The heroine, Princess Lissar, is beautiful, royal, and a survivor. "Deerskin" rips apart our most
treasured little-girl fantasies - that being beautiful, rich, royal and the belle of the ball must
be wonderful; that families are perfect, and that princes are always handsome.
The story is riveting, sometimes even painful to read. McKinley's incomparable
skill with language draws us into the kingdom ruled by Lissar's handsome and heroic father, and her mother,
"the most beautiful woman in seven kingdoms" - the quintessential fantasy land. When Lissar's mother dies, her
father's grief knows no bounds, and eventually takes a sinister turn. The illusion of perfection is forever shattered,
along with Lissar's trust - and her life as she knows it. The tale of this traumatized young girl's
survival and her growth into a remarkable woman (with just a little magic thrown in) is the rest of
the story. Add a faithful dog and the love of a most unlikely prince to complete the fairy tale. "Deerskin's" enchantment springs from the
lovely but dangerous realms of the original tales of the Brothers Grimm. It's not for children. McKinley's other books are
stunningly beautiful. "Deerskin" is beautiful - and stunning.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Deerskin
I had high hopes for this novel, since I love faerietales and it had both an unusual setting and potentially gripping plot. Read more
Published 20 months ago by A. Linhart
Deep, Dark and fantastic
As a huge fan of Robin Mckinley i looked forward to reading this book and it did not dissapoint me.
It is a very thought provoking storyline and i was a little uneasy reading... Read more
It is a very thought provoking storyline and i was a little uneasy reading... Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2009 by Joanne Walker
Not my favourite caution required for the young / delicate...
This is the only Robin McKinley book I have actually got rid of. It is well and sensitively written but I wish I had seen warnings first. Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2009 by Greenfinch
A beautiful fairy tale
Princess Lissar grows to womanhood forgotten in a corner of a large castle; the focus is firmly on her beautiful parents. Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2009 by M. K. Burton
Stunning
I read A LOT of books and I like to think that after reading every book I can make a summary of what it was like and whether I would recommend it, and this book is definitely one... Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2009 by H
exceptional
I was a little wary of the book even as it arrived on my doorstep. I had decided, not very long ago, that it was a book that I was going to "need" to read. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2008 by Foroyar
Something you'll never forget!
Whether you love this book or hate it you wont be able to deny that it touched you in some way. Whether it made you cry, made you feel ill, laugh or smile there is no doubt that... Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2008 by Vittani
Deerskin
I was cautious when buying Deerskin after reaqding others reviews and noticing that people described the events as horrible and worrying. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2005 by "martian28"
warning
I just wanted to warn readers who enjoyed McKinley's other books, that this is much more disturbing than any of her other novels. Read more
Published on 22 Dec 2003
Excellent plot- but rather dulling at some points
don't get me wrong- this is an excellent book. But I find that it is too slow for my liking. I have read nurmerous other of Ms. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2001 by William P Caselton
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