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muhrrynn's review
3.0
2018 Read Harder #8 - Read a comic written or illustrated by a person of color
allieeveryday's review
4.0
TW: sexual violence
A short comic that packs a powerful, violent and disturbing — and simultaneously empowering — punch. I had not heard of the Deer Woman before (I have not read nearly enough by or about indigenous people); like many "superhero" comics, it includes the Deer Woman's origin story, and her desire to protect women from those who would attempt to violate them, and the gruesome lengths to which she will go to do so. It's about re-claiming what's yours. It also includes a brief primer on self-defense at the end.
A short comic that packs a powerful, violent and disturbing — and simultaneously empowering — punch. I had not heard of the Deer Woman before (I have not read nearly enough by or about indigenous people); like many "superhero" comics, it includes the Deer Woman's origin story, and her desire to protect women from those who would attempt to violate them, and the gruesome lengths to which she will go to do so. It's about re-claiming what's yours. It also includes a brief primer on self-defense at the end.
dashes101's review
challenging
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
A quick read to learn more about the sexual violence against Indigenous women in society. Definitely hard to read, but it's important to learn and this is a really accessible way to do so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and Rape
katiegrrrl's review
5.0
I was looking for a Micropress published book for the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge, when I found this blog piece, https://feministtexicanreads.wordpress.com/2016/12/19/read-harder-2017/, doing the Challenge feminist style. I read mostly woman authors already and this year have been Challenge myself to read non-white authors. She has great suggestions check them out.
Deer Woman was the only suggesting that I was certain was by a non-white author, also it is a free download from Native Press, https://www.nativerealities.com/products/deer-woman-a-vignette. I recommend this! Also, if looking for more stories and books by Native Americans, Native Press is great!
2017 Read Harder Challenge- book published by a micropress.
Deer Woman was the only suggesting that I was certain was by a non-white author, also it is a free download from Native Press, https://www.nativerealities.com/products/deer-woman-a-vignette. I recommend this! Also, if looking for more stories and books by Native Americans, Native Press is great!
2017 Read Harder Challenge- book published by a micropress.
zoe_m's review
4.0
Trigger warnings for: violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
This vignette is an origin story of Deer Woman, a shapeshifting spirit present in the folklore of Eastern Woodland and Central Plain tribes.
In folkloric tradition, Deer Woman is associated with female fertility, as well as the seduction and violent punishment of promiscuous/adulterous men. LaPensée's tale reframes the narrative of her own sexual assault and the vulnerability of her community to sex trafficking in terms of this empowered and culturally significant figure. It is poignant, raw, and haunting.
There is a short afterward that discusses, more directly, the idea of (re)connecting with your body and your self through self defense, and how that can lead you to once again feel empowered. "It's not about walking strong to detour [sic] an attacker, it's about walking strong because you are powerful, and you should feel that in every fiber of your being... It's about knowing you are not a victim, but a warrior." As someone who is undergoing this same transformation (I turned to kickboxing and body positivity after my sexual assault), this struck a chord and brought the rest of the story home for me. I imagine it will resonate with other warriors, as well.
I read this as part of the Read Harder Challenge, specifically to read a book published by a micro press.
Deer Woman is available to download for free at nativerealities.com.
This vignette is an origin story of Deer Woman, a shapeshifting spirit present in the folklore of Eastern Woodland and Central Plain tribes.
In folkloric tradition, Deer Woman is associated with female fertility, as well as the seduction and violent punishment of promiscuous/adulterous men. LaPensée's tale reframes the narrative of her own sexual assault and the vulnerability of her community to sex trafficking in terms of this empowered and culturally significant figure. It is poignant, raw, and haunting.
There is a short afterward that discusses, more directly, the idea of (re)connecting with your body and your self through self defense, and how that can lead you to once again feel empowered. "It's not about walking strong to detour [sic] an attacker, it's about walking strong because you are powerful, and you should feel that in every fiber of your being... It's about knowing you are not a victim, but a warrior." As someone who is undergoing this same transformation (I turned to kickboxing and body positivity after my sexual assault), this struck a chord and brought the rest of the story home for me. I imagine it will resonate with other warriors, as well.
I read this as part of the Read Harder Challenge, specifically to read a book published by a micro press.
Deer Woman is available to download for free at nativerealities.com.
hopeevey's review
4.0
Reading this sent me back 2 decades, to reading photo-copied feminist 'zines and burning to change the world. The world has changed, certainly. Sexual violence against women, though, seems as common now as it was decades ago. We can and do talk about it more openly, for which I am thankful. I would be much more thankful if the next generation were to learn about rampant sexual violence against women as history, rather than the default state of their world.
battybookworm's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Very lovely comic that discusses sexual abuse (with a focus on Indigenous women/people in particular).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
aliteraryprincess's review
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0