Deerskin

Rating:
Summary: This was one of the most emotion-evoking books I have read.
Review: Much like all of McKinley's books, this was an emotionally arousing story. While not a rape victim, I instantly bonded with Lissla and developed an astounding empathy with her character. I think that there is something to her character that every woman can identify with. Deerskin was beautifully written; I have read one copy into the dust and I am looking forward to doing it a second time.

Rating:
Summary: A stunning book for grownups
Review: I've recently finished reading Deerskin for perhaps the fifth time. I find I need to re-read it every year or so, to re-charge my soul and my imagination. I'm not an incest survivor -- just a survivor of life, and this book speaks to the courage we all must summon to get through our personal adventures. The writing is stunning; the character development subtle and convincing, and the plot is seamless, with the rhythm of a fairy tale and the details of a fine painting. I've read as many of her books, now, as I can find, and my fervent hope is that she keeps on writing for the next hundred years! We need her work.

Rating:
Summary: A great tale of magic and mystery. . . .
Review: . . . This book caught my eye as i was browsing in the library. I read it that night and it was one of the best books I have read, and I've read many. The love that Deerskin, Lissla Lissar, shares with prince Ossin is so obvious, yet both are oblivious to it at the time. In the end, it all turns out alright, though I wish it went alittle more in depth to what happened or maybe she could write a sequel and the conflict would be in their daughter or son's life though diffrent. Maybe they could have twins and they be separated at birth and must find eachother again as their father or mother's dying wish. That would be good. This is a marvelous book that i recommend to all.

Rating:
Summary: Not McKinley's best. . .
Review: I was not pleased with "Deerskin." Like all of McKinley's novels, the fantasy element was well-developed, but I disliked the dark side that she showed in this novel. Her other books were excellent fantasy that could be read and recommended to younger readers, but still held the interest of adults. Fantasy doesn't have to be ugly, but it definitely shows an unpleasant face in this book!

Rating:
Summary: Stunning. A "women's novel" on par with Handmaid's Tale"
Review: A Stunning work, but make no mistake. This is not a retold fairy tale nor a children's work. This belongs with Women's stories -- like Margaret Atwoods' "A Handmaid's Tale" and Sherri Tepper's "Gate to Women's Country" and Marian Zimmer Bradley's "Firebrand". At the same time, her chief character enjoys more development than many of her lighter works. I have enjoyed most of the facets of McKinley's work, with the exception of her latest retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and most have been reread many times, but Deerskin belongs in any list of classic literture. McKinley's careful and eventful and exciting development of her character, and her character's relationship with her dog(s), her world, and (most important) herself kept me immersed in her world. But be prepared for a world with true darkness and horror realistically conguered. I buy McKinley sight unseen in hardbound -- and was shocked, and then enormously glad I'd found Deerskin.

Rating:
Summary: Very interesting and engrossing
Review: I really enjoyed this book! It was like many of the Anne McCaffery books I've read. Kind of hard to get into in the first chapter but a REALLY good read over all. This is a GREAT retelling of a very old fairy tale. I'm so glad it was not all filled with sweetness and light like most of today's childrens tales. Its one I will definately reccomend!!

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book with Depth
Review: I have read all of Robin McKinley's work and although all her books are captivating, this book is truly a work of art. Not only is it a spell-binding fantasy tale written in her entertaining style, but it also symbolically deals with the difficult issues of child abuse and rape in a way that is very positive rather than victimizing. I wouldn't recommend this book for young readers, but for adults this is a must-read novel, delving into the difficult issues surrounding sexual assault in a way that portrays a woman empowered to deal with her pain and find healing. Rather than ending the book feeling depressed, this book encourages women that there is a future after sexual assault.

Rating:
Summary: A compelling fantasy for people who read serious fiction.
Review: As an incest survivor, I have read many books which attempted to address the issue and did so flatly or exploitatively. This is one of only two books that spoke truth to me, and did so within a lush, intricate, completely involving story.I was changed by my reading of it, and I am irked by the online reviews that complain the book is "too" dark,especially the one that rants about "pseudo-psychology" and "victimhood." As someone who has experienced this kind of pain, I will vouch that there is not a grain of trendy incest exploitation here.I do not normally read fantasy; I don't consider the best quality writing, But this book stands out.

Rating:
Summary: Understanding
Review: When I first read this novel I was stunned/terrified. Then, about a year later and not more than two weeks ago, I reread it. After maturing as a reader, I finally *got* it: the underlying themes, the range of character, etc.

Robin McKinley's 'Deerskin' might not be for everybody, but it is, admittedly, a very intriguing read. To understand that it is not a fantasy light-hearted and warm, but a story with true *theme*, is the key. There are not many books - of any genre - of which I can say the same.

I can't set an age limit on who/who not I think should read this, but being able to look deeply into this literary piece is *definitely* a must.

Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: As I turned the last page of this book all that I could think was WOW. This was probobly the best book that I have ever read and probobly ever will. The characters were so real without the suffocating "good vs. evil" junk. You could relate to both Lissla and(to my own personal horror)even to her father, because characters(even her father) had REAL reasons for what they did. Something I really liked was that all of the characters had one fault or another which made them real and almost palpable. Lissla(AKA Deerskin) shows you that no matter what happens, if you choose the path towards living and posess the will to survive you can leap over the unsurmountable wall that life can be. This book is okay for most age groups but NOT FOR PRETEENS AT ALL. I am 15 and can easily see how children could have some major problems after reading this book. There are some distubing scenes and you really have to read every word but this is a truly amazing coming of age story that will make you smile through your tears. A wonderful ending that will make you gladly put this book down after the emotional heights it will put you through. A must have if you can handle it.