Title: Deerskin
Author: Robin McKinley
First published June 1, 1993
384 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780441012398 (ISBN10: 0441012396)
Rating: 3.91
Overview
In the kingdom, Princess Adalinda possesses the same beauty as her mother, the queen. However, her father’s obsession with her mother’s memory drives him to madness, forcing Adalinda to flee for her life.
In the chaos of her escape, she loses all memory of her past, except for the love and loyalty of her dog, Luna. As they journey together, Adalinda finds employment in the kennels of a neighboring kingdom, where the prince begins to fall for the new kennel maid.
As their relationship blossoms, the prince reveals the tale of a lost princess with a dog named Luna. Will Adalinda discover the truth about her past and claim her rightful place on the throne?
About the Author
Robin McKinley was born in Warren, Ohio, and grew up moving around frequently due to her father’s job in the United States Navy. As an only child, she found solace in reading and credits her childhood experiences as inspiration for her writing.
Reading became a constant in her life, and she remembers events and places based on the books she read at the time. She attended Gould Academy and Dickinson College before graduating summa cum laude from Bowdoin College in 1975.
At the age of 26, her first novel was accepted by the first publisher she sent it to, and she began her writing career while living in Brunswick, Maine. Since then, she has lived in various places such as Boston, New York City, and now Hampshire, England, with her husband (who is also a writer) and two lurchers.
Throughout her life, she has held various jobs such as editor, research assistant, and teacher, but mainly focuses on her writing career. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dogs, gardening, cooking, playing the piano, practicing homeopathy, and keeping up with her blog.
Editoral Review
Deerskin by Robin McKinley is a dark and haunting retelling of the classic fairy tale, “Donkeyskin.” McKinley is a prolific author of fantasy novels and has won numerous awards for her work, including the Newbery Medal and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature. Published in 1993, Deerskin is a standalone novel that explores themes of trauma, healing, and the power of storytelling.
The novel follows Lissar, the only child of the king and queen of a prosperous kingdom. When Lissar’s mother dies, her father becomes obsessed with her beauty and attempts to marry her.
Lissar escapes with her loyal dog and travels to a remote forest where she must confront her past and confront the trauma inflicted upon her by her father. Along the way, Lissar meets a mysterious man who helps her to heal and find her own identity.
McKinley’s writing is elegant and evocative, transporting the reader to a vivid and immersive world. The characters are richly drawn and complex, especially Lissar, who is a fully realized and sympathetic protagonist.
McKinley takes great care to explore the psychological and emotional impact of trauma, and her portrayal of Lissar’s journey toward healing is both nuanced and powerful.
The novel is not without its flaws, however. The pacing is slow at times, and the plot can feel meandering.
Additionally, some readers may find the depiction of sexual violence and abuse disturbing.
Despite these limitations, Deerskin is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate complex characters, beautifully crafted prose, and themes of trauma and healing. It is a must-read for fans of McKinley’s work, as well as anyone who enjoys dark fairy tales and stories that explore the human condition.
In conclusion, Deerskin is a powerful and haunting novel that showcases Robin McKinley’s considerable talents as a writer. While it may not be for everyone, it is a must-read for fans of fantasy and fairy tales, and for anyone who appreciates thoughtful and nuanced explorations of trauma and healing.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
