Poor Deer: A Novel | 
pickA poignant exploration of how a child reacts to tragedy and draws conclusions about responsibility and the role that adults play in this process. My family experienced a loss when I was just shy of 4, and the ways in which Margaret attempts to make sense of her loss and the ways that it reverberates through the years feels true to me, although the circumstances were quite different.
Photo: A deer (in maybe Colorado?) in 2015.
pickOh my heart from this book. It really made me wonder about the mind of a child. I love the unreliable narrator, there is mystery and confusion. The title Poor Deer is so perfect. Magical writing, a haunting story. ❤️
Im not too far in , but I‘m captivated. 🤞🏻 I really wasn‘t sure what this would be like , loving the writing and the whole atmosphere.
pickThese are the books I love the TOB for! Such a strange, brilliant story. Told perfectly from the perspective of a child as she grows up grappling with events from her young life in a way only children can. A fantastic read. I‘m sad this didn‘t make the #TOB2025 shortlist.
pickI am not a fan of child narrators and child neglect makes my blood boil, so this book shouldn‘t work for me at all. But the writing is magical and buoyant and that made all the difference—I really enjoyed it. I‘m glad it was on the #TOBlonglist to get me to read it. I‘ll be looking for more from this author.
pickI listened to a couple of hours of this on my long drive yesterday and was blown away by Sophie Amos' narration, I read most of this with my eyes but do rec. the audio.
#ToB long listed this was dark, fairytale like and incredibly well constructed. It isn't going to be for everyone, there is a lot of going back over a story, and very unreliable narrations. But I didn't feel at all that it was too repetitive and i enjoyed the creepy dark vibe
pickI loved this, and it‘s another perfect example of why I love the #ToBlonglist so much.
Yes, it‘s a bit weird, but in a good way. And it‘s so beautifully but sparsely written - about motherhood, grief, regret, love, loss and forgiveness.
It has a bit of a feel of Catherine Chidgey‘s ‘Pet‘ but with added magical realism, so if you liked that - read this!
And I‘m not a fan of magical realism at all but it totally works here.
A few that came available from the library. Let‘s see how many of these I can get to! 😁 #TOB2025
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Been looking forward to #LitsyToB25 but realized I‘ve only read 2 of the #ToBlonglist 😬, so getting started with what‘s easily available. A 4 year old was partly involved in her friend‘s accidental death and wrestles with the mental and emotional fallout from that and its toll on her and her close relationships until she‘s finally able to address her guilt. Got a little slow in the middle but picked back up and finished strong.
All of the books, ebooks, and audiobooks I currently have checked out to read for #ToB25. We'll see how many I can get through before the shortlist.
pickFive star read, exquisitely told, characters to cheer for, totally unique! And it has pie 🌟 Narration by Sophie Amoss is excellent.
#Nov2024 Book100 🎉
The narrator for the audiobook of Poor Deer is knockin‘ it out of the park! Especially with, “It moved the kindhearted teacher, … and she remembered why she had become a teacher in the first place. It wasn‘t just because no one wanted to marry her. It was also because she had felt a calling.” 😆🤣 Deadpan delivery. Oshetsky is a damn good writer, too. #HappyHalloween #FlyingMonkey (pic from 2009)
Starting this now. Hoping it will be on the #ToB2025_LongList
pickThis was such a curious and quirky little book. I picked it randomly at the library and I was immediately immersed in Margret‘s world as she tries to deal with grief and tragedy.
pickWhat a strange and whimsical book, every retelling surprised me, as time moves sideways.
pickMy god, do I love Claire Oshetsky's writing. Their trademark odd combination of straightforward prose and everyday magic is present again in this story about grief, parenting, regret, childhood, fate, and the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. This book is sad. Poor Deer actually has an opposite portrayal of motherhood from Oshetsky's CHOUETTE, one where the mother fails to support her kid. A beautiful book, but bring your tissues.
Nomination for #CampLitsy2024, one of four. @Megabooks @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain
Background photo is my newly planted Rhubarb. FYI Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day is June 9 🌟🍓🥧
pickI loved Chouette by this author and was equally enchanted by Poor Deer.
Oshetsky's writing is beautifully unique.
In this story, a very young child experiences a traumatic event and grapples with guilt for the rest of her life.
"She loves her next-door neighbour, Ruby Bickford, and doesn't know it, because such a love lies just outside the window of Florence's imagination...She works at the downtown lunch counter, where she gives free pie slices to all the single men, because she still has ambition."
Aaah I love Claire Oshetsky's writing!
pickThis story was unique, but all I will say is that Margaret Murphy deserved more from the adults in her life.
pickTwo 4 year old girls start the book, and one tells the story throughout the rest. However, since the girl is remembering, living, avoiding and processing her grief, stories are repeated, but different. Excellent.
I read 6 books in February and liked them all. Have you read any of these?
