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The White Deer (1945)

by James Thurber

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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326279,223 (4.07)3
Here is a Thurber world of enchanted deer and seven-headed dragons, of wizards and witches, of riddles and spells, of false love and true. It is the story of a beautiful princess, transformed from a deer, who assigns each of three princes a perilous labor to perform in order to win her hand. Drawings by the Author.… (more)
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» See also 3 mentions

Showing 2 of 2
This little book (a novella really) is funny and quirky and tongue-in-cheek but also thoughtful between the lines (if that makes sense). It’s like a fairy tale turned halfway inside out, if you will. There’s a king with three sons, two love to hunt and the third is a bit quieter (he always lets the hunted animals escape). One day they’re chasing a mystical white deer through the forest, but when they bring the quarry to bay, instead there’s a lovely maiden standing there. Convinced she is a princess, they take her back to the castle. She’s supposed to set a series of near-impossible tasks for the brother princes to complete, whoever brings her the requested trophy first, will win her hand. But does she even want that? She has a quiet, gentle shy manner, and cannot recall her name. She starts to wonder if she’s just a commoner and won’t be allowed to stay with the prince who marries her, but worst yet is rumor of a story, that she might just be a common deer turned into a woman by a magic trick. Her character reminded me in many ways of Amalthea in The Last Unicorn, and the odd conversations that go in circles with senseless (but delightful) wordplay made me think of Alice in Wonderland. But this story has a character all its own. It gets a little silly and repetitive in places, but I didn’t mind. I liked the ending. ( )
  jeane | Dec 18, 2022 |
Slightly hit-or-miss fantasy involving a princess that may or may not be a magickal white deer, who commands three royal brothers (two of whom are hunters, one a minstrel-type) to try to break the enchantment over her. Some jokes are well done, some jokes are all right on the first or second telling but rapidly wear out their welcome, and some of the book seems like blatant padding to bring out a short story to a novella. The illustrations by Thurber aren't his best work, but they are interesting. I'm uncertain why HB brought in Freeman to do additional illustrations, unless they thought Thurber's drawings couldn't carry the load (a curious thought). Certainly not for kids, in my view; more likely crafted for certain kinds of adults. ( )
  EricCostello | Mar 29, 2020 |
Showing 2 of 2
For Thurber devotees — not of his peculiar brand of humor, but of his equally personal brand of fantasy. This is a fable — a fairy tale of medieval days and doings, of the white deer who became a Princess and was courted by three sons of King Clode — and who, to determine the winner of her hand, sent each on a perilous labor. And it is Jorn, the youngest, and the one who loved her truly, who succeeds.
added by EricCostello | editKirkus Reviews (Jun 15, 1946)
 

» Add other authors (6 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
James Thurberprimary authorall editionscalculated
Freeman, DonIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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If you should walk and wind and wander far enough on one of those afternoons in April when smoke goes down instead of up, and nearby things sound far away and far things near, you are more than likely to come at last to the enchanted forest that lies between the Moonstone Mines and Centaurs Mountain.
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Here is a Thurber world of enchanted deer and seven-headed dragons, of wizards and witches, of riddles and spells, of false love and true. It is the story of a beautiful princess, transformed from a deer, who assigns each of three princes a perilous labor to perform in order to win her hand. Drawings by the Author.

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