Deer Life
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- £6.99
Publisher Description
A wicked fairy tale of witchcraft, bullying, revenge, and a mysterious bowler hat. Includes Ron’s own whimsical illustrations.
Deryn Hedlight was not having a very good day and it was about to get much worse. He’d read stories of witches as a boy, but never believed for a second they were true. That is, until an unfortunate hunting accident turns his world upside down. What seemed like an honest mistake leads to an altogether unexpected transformation. But poor Deryn wasn’t the only wronged character tied up in these gloomy circumstances and sinister forces.
Deer Life tells the story of a kind-hearted boy from Hinthoven and his mother_s undying love. Mostly though, it’s all about patience, friendship, and heroism where you least expect it.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Ron Sexsmith is no stranger to success. As a songwriter and guitarist, he’s toured with Elvis Costello, won a Juno, and recorded in The Tragically Hip’s studio. So we weren't surprised that his first work of fiction is a stunning creative achievement (the abundantly talented Sexsmith even drew the illustrations scattered throughout). Deer Life is a whimsical fairy tale—complete with witches and wildlife—that was written especially for adults. Sexsmith’s segue from folk music to folklore is seamless and triumphant.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Singer-songwriter Sexsmith's first foray into fiction is a timid but charming fairy tale about what happens to the people of two small towns when the beautiful witch Eleanoir arrives. It begins when Crad Grimsby, who runs the Willow Tree tavern and inn and who lost his beloved sister to a witch's spell when both were children, meets Eleanoir, a young woman with purple eyes just like those of the witch. Maggie Hedlight's son, Deryn, goes hunting in the woods and never returns; he now wanders the forest as a deer the handiwork of Eleanoir, who shares more than just her purple eyes with her sorceress mother. Magnus Hinterlund has fallen madly in love with Eleanoir and is unaware of his fianc e's evil machinations, though his daughter, Claira, sees all. The coming together of these characters in a fight against evil makes for a good story, but there are other rewards as well. A small blossoming occurs in each character, bonds are formed, and simple human fellowship turns out to be a happily-ever-after. Despite some superfluous parentheses and occasional unsure asides, Sexsmith's novel has much the same effect as his music, conveying uncertainty with fearlessness and heart.
