Deerskin

"Deerskin" is a dark fantasy novel by Robin McKinley. It is based on an old French fairy tale by Charles Perrault called "Donkeyskin".

The book contains a graphic rape scene and numerous adult themes.

Plot summary

Although Lissar is the daughter of the most beautiful queen and most handsome king in all the land, she was a lonely child whose only true companion was her dog, Ash. As the queen lies dying, she forces the king to swear that he will only remarry if he can find a bride more beautiful than she. This seemingly impossible condition is not, however, insurmountable: as Lissar matures, she becomes not just very image of her mother, but more beautiful than her parents. The king becomes obsessed with his daughter, and insists that he will marry her. When she refuses him, the king rapes Lissar and severely injures Ash.

Lissar and Ash escape from the king and find their way to a cabin in the mountains. Lissar, impregnated by her father the king, miscarries and nearly dies. Lissar is saved by a moon goddess, who gives her a white deerskin dress (referenced in the title) and alters both Lissar and Ash so that they are unrecognizeable; Lissar's hair changes from auburn to white, and Ash grows a coat similar to that of a borzoi. Lissar travels to a different kingdom and offers to work for the king. The prince, Ossin, assigns her to raise a litter of puppies whose mother had died.

The goddess's alterations, however, were more than physical. Lissar, now identified as Deerskin, discovers that she has supernatural powers, including the ability to find lost children and objects. She falls in love with Ossin and he with her, but, still burdened by her past, she flees when Ossin proposes to her at a ball and returns to the cabin in the mountains with Ash and the puppies.

After spending the winter recovering, Deerskin feels compelled to return to Ossin's city, following an urgent call. As she nears the city, she hears about a wedding and assumes that it is Ossin's. She realizes to her horror that the king, her father, is going to marry Ossin's younger sister. Deerskin reveals her true identity as the bridegroom's daughter and calls her father to account for his actions, using the goddess's powers to punish him for his crimes. Confronting her father finally frees Lissar to accept Ossin's love. The story ends with Lissar tentatively coming back to Ossin's arms, offering to give their relationship a chance.