I have enjoyed several of Robin McKinley’s fairy tale retellings, however just one small warning on the ‘squeaky clean’ thing. Deerskin has some disturbing stuff in it, and it’s not an easy book to read (from an emotional standpoint).
I saved all the titles so I can start checking them out! 
Thanks for the heads-up. I don’t think I’ve seen Deerskin, and now I know to avoid it.I have enjoyed several of Robin McKinley’s fairy tale retellings, however just one small warning on the ‘squeaky clean’ thing. Deerskin has some disturbing stuff in it, and it’s not an easy book to read (from an emotional standpoint).
I would agree that Spindle’s End & Beauty are pretty squeaky clean, from what I remember, though.
Well, I don’t want to scare anyone away from it, but just to let folks know that it’s a bit ‘darker’ than the others. I’m not sure if it was based on an ordinary fairy-tale like her other works, but one element of the story bears some resemblance to a sad aspect of the life of a certain Saint.
Thanks for the heads-up. I don’t think I’ve seen Deerskin, and now I know to avoid it.
I don’t recall reading any of her short stories. Interesting what you say about pacing … I tend to enjoy slower-paced, more ‘meditative’ stories, where I can really jump into the world and breathe it, walk around in it (so to speak
) without being rushed to get to the next page because I’m dying of suspense. And you’re right, that isn’t for everyone. The funny thing is, though, I could swear I sat up pretty late “page-turning” in both Deerskin and Beauty. 
I usually go for very light fare when looking for entertainment, whether books or movies or whatever. Real life has more than enough stressful, disturbing, and even dark stuff for me to want to get any more in my recreation. (I would’ve fit right in Depression-era movie audiences, though I was born 40 years too late.)Well, I don’t want to scare anyone away from it, but just to let folks know that it’s a bit ‘darker’ than the others. I’m not sure if it was based on an ordinary fairy-tale like her other works, but one element of the story bears some resemblance to a sad aspect of the life of a certain Saint.
I’d say that it’s worth reading, although it took so much out of me emotionally that I’ve never gone back to re-read it. If you want a brief explanation of the disturbing element (so that you can decide for yourself if you’d like to read it), just PM me … I don’t want to post spoilers on the thread.
I don’t recall reading any of her short stories. Interesting what you say about pacing … I tend to enjoy slower-paced, more ‘meditative’ stories, where I can really jump into the world and breathe it, walk around in it (so to speak
Yeah, she lulls us along for most of the book, then the climax is breathlessly intense! My dh had dipped a little into Spindle’s End, then he read over my shoulder when I hit the long action sequence that began at the ball. He couldn’t put it down until everything resolved! COOL, thanks! My local library says it has a copy On Shelf, so I’ll check it out this weekend.Well, in that case … if I may, I’ll share a couple of recommendations for fun, light, witty (AND literate!) reads:
To Say Nothing of the Dog (or, How We Found the Bishop’s Bird Stump at Last)
and
Bellwether
Both delightful books by Connie Willis