Deerskin by Robin McKinley

Deerskin is the beautiful retelling of the fable Donkeyskin, a young princess nearly broken by her father the King.

Deerskin begins by telling the legend of Lissar’s mother, the most beautiful woman in 7 kingdoms, and her father, the man who completed an impossible task to win her hand. Lissar had a lonely childhood raised by a nurse, never becoming close with her aloof, uninvolved parents. After her mother dies of a wasting illness, the King goes mad, and forgets all about his daughter. The only friend Lissar only knows is the puppy she received while still a child herself, a hound named Ash from Prince Ossin of a neighboring kingdom.

Deerskin is mosly a tale of loneliness, outlining the childhood and late youth of a beautiful young princess. McKinley does a wonderful job portraying this emotion in a compelling, yet not overbearing way. As you read more about the tragedy that befalls young Lissar at her father’s hand, you suffer with her, and recover with her. This is a great story for a rainy, moody afternoon. The book is not too long, and the story keeps you engrossed in both the plot and the characters. Everyone is flawed, and yet you can find yourself relating to them. Though this is a retelling of a “fairy tale” I would certainly not recommend it for young adults or teens, as it’s very adult content. The events and emotions that follow speak openly of physical and emotional trauma. But McKinley keeps the story true to life, and it’s beautifully done. When Lissar finally discovers that she is still capable of love after being so brutally broken, it leaves you with a feeling of quiet triumph.

Rating: 7 out of 10