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Summary: Once upon a time, all was not well...
Review: I first came to Deerskin when I was nine years old. Admittedly, it was the cover that first attracted me, and the connection with Donkeyskin, a story that I knew and loved. Deerskin began as a fairy tale, and I was well pleased, but soon became the adult novel it was classified as in the library, and struck such terror in me that I threw it across the room, as far away as possible, and hid underneath the covers (I was reading by nightlight at the time). My mother had to return it to the library for me; I would not touch it. I returned five years later, well prepared. Robin McKinley was a familiar name, and I had actually read the inside flaps. Friends had warned me of the subject matter (though I found it quite straight-forward; nothing to be ashamed of), and I expected violence. I found a long spare moment, snuggled into the corner of a couch, and began. The beginning was delightful, and a bit scary (which tapered off at the end of a chapter--much to my disappoinment), but then I was soon surprised. Robin McKinley I knew to enjoy far from flawless, yet strong, heroines with wry senses of humor and warlike spirits. Princess Lissla Lissar I quickly disliked. Here was a silent wisp of a character whose fears and uncertainties lent power to her opponents. Seeing through the eyes of her people (a masterful technique! I applaud Robin McKinley), she was treacherous and strange. I wondered that her fleethound, Ash, should be so devoted to such a mistress. My dislike grew to annoyance that Lissar should willingly take the help of the Moonwoman, a magical, not entirely believable, "good fairy," while Robin McKinley's other heroine's were stubborn and self-sufficient. I see now that this is the power of Robin McKinley: to create characters so real that they provoke feeling: love, hatred, contempt, curiosity. I did not stop to think that a good fairy had every right to be in a fairy tale, perhaps because Deerskin by then was no longer one. The characters were too real, too flesh-and-blood. The Princess bleeds, she starves, she performs bodily functions, she has headaches, typical of Robin McKinley's novels. Perhaps this was the one fault in the book. The atmosphere rapidly changes from a dreamy childhood story to physical, harsh reality and back and forth again (though it took months for me to be able to step back from the book's world, and look at it as a book: paper and ink, and see this). This leads to predictability: a happy ending is expected and granted. It does the opposite as well: I looked forward to the classic Prince Charming, and received a down-to-earth, none too smart, and quite ugly, dog-lover. The credibility suffers. As mentioned before, the Moonwoman appears out of nowhere, restoring Lissar and Ash to full health, and disguising them beyond recognition. Perhaps because I knew Donkeyskin, this struck me as forced. The princess in Donkeyskin disguised as a dirty goosegirl, draped in the hide of a donkey. Despite this single fault, which I did not see then, as I was blinded by the power of the novel, I immediatly shelved the book in my "Books That Have Dramatically Affected Me" section. It often made me forget where I was, an interactive experience. The mere presence of it gave me reassurance. I suggest you read it: you will never forget it.
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Summary: Definitely worth the read
Review: I thought Deerskin was certainly unique in the "shock" value of the storyline -- not just another young adult tale in that sense. What has impressed me each time I read it is that Ms. McKinley chose to take on a topic like sexual abuse (a serious social issue) and deal with it through the medium of a fairy tale. Deerskin tells the truth about this issue in a way that more "realistic" stories can sometimes cloud. I like the fact that Deerskin moves from being a victim without the will to make things happen for herself to a mature woman who makes the choice to not be a victim. It's an important message for all of us,whatever our circumstances and I think it makes Deerskin a success (at least for me!). It's not as "fun" as Ms. McKinley's other novels but it is powerful in a way that they aren't.
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Summary: Stunning!
Review: This story was like no other I have read! It was a unique and fascinating fairytale! The plot keeps you drawn into the story, and the even though it is a "fairytale" and has many "magical" themes , it is surprisingly realistic. It's a book you'll NEVER forget!
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Summary: A Wonderful Fairy Tale
Review: This was an absolutely wonderful book. I could not put it down. I actually could picture the conflicts, action, and excitement of the story. One of the best written fairy tales around. Robin McKinley is a Fairy tale genius!!!
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Summary: This isn't a story, it's a friend.Miss it at your peril. . .
Review: Fragile, urgent, and more solid than reality, Deerskin peels off your techno-glossed, video-drenched adult skin and reteaches you the power of myth.
This is a story for survivors and dreamers. McKinley's deceptively simple prose comes of age in this gorgeous book, which manages to comfort the reader even as it follows the trials of a brutally raped princess out to rebuild her tattered self. Of course, most of us find something more appealing than blizzrds and puppy dung to rebuild out of, but, then again, we don't end up oracles, either. This book speaks like an old friend, or the mysterious wise woman who appears by the well. Missing it would be like forswearing chocolate.
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Summary: A fairy tale in the old sense
Review: Unlike some other readers, I had been forewarned that _Deerskin_ dealt with darker issues than her other novels, which it does. Even from the beginning, when McKinley paints in glowing colors a court bewitched by the splendour of its king and queen, there are shadows standing at the edge, warning us that all is not perfect--or at least, that all will not remain perfect.
Yet, despite the brutality with which Princess Lissar's innocence is shattered, the tale is not unremittingly dark or horrifying. The Moonwoman offers Lissar hope and healing, as do the love of her dog and the kind people of the kingdom to which Lissar escapes. The ending may be predictable, but McKinley's warm portrayals of Lissar and her friends, as well as the fleethounds, are touching rather than trite.
Don't tell me that _Deerskin_ is too horrible to be a fairy tale. Too horrible for the sanitized, Disneyfied fairy tales that children are treated to nowadays, yes. The original versions of such tales as "Sleeping Beauty" and "Snow white" dealt with passion and blood and betrayal in magical trappings; the Victorians did not believe in coddling their children, it seems. In the original (or one of them), Sleeping Beauty is raped in her sleep; at the end of "Snow White," the wicked stepmother dances herself to death when red-hot shoes are put upon her feet. If anything, McKinley has revived that old power and redeemed it with hope and, yes, even a happy ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Ridiculously deep...or is that 'deeply ridiculous'?
Review: When I first began to read 'Deerskin', I experienced a thrill. Here was clearly the masterful hand of Robin McKinley at work, with stunning prose and dreamlike imagery that far surpassed any of her earlier books. It seemed like a fairy tale written in the tradition of 'The Door in the Hedge', but with a darker, more wild side that an adult would find appealing. Well, I was right -- and also very, very wrong. After Lissar`s mother died and the royal father went bonkers, I realized I was dealing with a completely different animal here, in more ways than one. Ms. McKinley seems to have aimed to make this book a bible for girls in the nineties, complete with unpleasant realities, psychological disorders,etc., all of which are certain to win this book thrilled comments from females who feel this book deeply affected them forever. Still, it seems to me that the strong-minded-just-as-tough-as-the-men nineties woman wouldn`t have sat around in her garden sniffling like an anaemic poodle when she hears she`s been betrothed to her crazy father. It completely baffles me, even now: why did the girl have to wait to get raped before she finally got the undeniably brilliant idea to run away? Desperately riding on the tails of thousands of psychological manuals, this book tries very hard, in beautifully wrought language, to be deep. This book is so deep, in fact, that the ultimate dazzlingly profound meaning escapes me. Aside from the vague references to feminine power (which seems to be the ability to be smarter than a guy even if you`re raped by him) this book may do very well in the 'self-help' section of the library, but what it`s doing in 'fantasy' beats the heck out me. Maybe I should go back to the eighties
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Summary: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Review: Beyond the general reviews of fantasy elements that make up Deerskin, I am compelled to say that this book contains BY FAR the BEST depiction of post-traumatic stress disorder I've ever read.
Reading this book was horrifying, compelling, and right on track for anyone faced with the difficulty of coming to terms with abuse at the hands of a loved one. This book was right on target, and scary as hell because of it.
I recommend it wholeheartedly. This book changed me. H*ll, I even named one of my roleplaying characters "Lissar" to mark my affinity with the main character. This book is incredible.
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Summary: A frightening tale of innocence lost
Review: When I first picked up "Deerskin", I thought that it was a fairy tale about love triumphing over evil. When I finished reading the story, I once again felt the same way. But the subject matter in between disturbed me deeply, often to the point where I almost couldn't bear to continue reading it. However, for those who overcome the momumental obstacle of reading Chapter Nine, "Deerskin" is an engrossing tale of the tragic misfortunes of Princess Lisla Lissar, and her battle to conquer the demons that plague her, within and without. Complete with a prince, a loyal dog, and a fairy godmother of sorts (who grants Lissar a gift far more precious than a ballgown), "Deerskin" is a fascinating read. Just make sure that you are up to the challenge
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Summary: If you're turned off at first reading, try again.
Review: I have been a fan of McKinley ever since I first read "The Hero and the Crown", so when "Deerskin" came out I rushed to purchase it. My first reading left me completely horrified.
The other books about Damar are rather like molassas- a bit rough, but still sweet. "Deerskin", however is a foray into a much darker territory. I decided to try reading the book again, this time without my previous expectations, and my opinion changed completely. I feel that this is possibly the most powerful book that McKinley has ever written. If readers don't allow themselves to be distracted by their previous experiences with McKinley I think that most will agree that this is an intricate and beautiful look at what could have otherwise been simply an exercise in depression
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