Sealskin takes the myth of the selkie, the fisherman’s wife and extends it into a novel.  Su Bristow’s novel is one of transformation.  Not just the transformation of the selkie from seal to woman, but the transformation of the people who live in the village she comes to call home, particularly her husband Donald.  Donald begins as a loner, his skin condition making it difficult for him to work on the fishing boats.  One night he sees the selkies shed their skin and dance naked in the moonlight.  He hides one of the skins and rapes the maiden.  Filled with horror at his actions he brings her home to his mother, the village healer.  Pregnant and with the skin missing, she cannot go back to her own kind.   In his attempt to atone, Donald becomes a far better man and a better husband.  Sealskin is a love story of sorts, but more it is about how people can change for the better.  Mairi is a catalyst and has a strong effect on the village, particularly the women.  There is violence but there is also hope.

Su Bristow does an excellent job of bringing the legend of the selkie to life.  The novel’s pace is leisurely, well suited to the tale, but it may not appeal as much to fantasy lovers looking for more action.

4 / 5

I received a copy of Sealskin from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

4.5/5 Stars

I was pulled into this novel by the synopsis: Scotland, young man falls in love with a Selkie - What more could I want?

The novel, however, completely took me by surprise - I did not expect to be dealing with issues like rape and abuse. I honestly had a very hard time swallowing what Donald did to Mairhi and really doubted whether I wanted to even continue reading the book. I am happy that I did.

While Donald committed a deplorable crime - he honestly tried so hard to right the wrong. This is where it gets into a gray area for me - I would like to hate him for what he did, but understanding his character's past, present and his efforts to undo his actions make me like him. I know...it's really hard to wrap your head around it. I really wanted him to do right by Mairhi, I wanted him to give her the choice and to be honest with her. Maybe the tragedy of the end makes me like the novel more, or maybe I am further frustrated by the character. The novel left me with very complicated feelings.

I would not suggest this book to anyone under the age of 18. It deals with very serious issues and I do not believe that younger readers will appreciate the complexity of the situations created in this novel. This book is full of complex characters who are trying to do the best that they can with what life has given them. It is beautifully written. I would definitely want to read more by Miss Bristow.

Having Irish grandparents, I was well acquainted with the Selkie legend; here Bristow uses the old tale to form the basis for her novel. Donald, a fisherman often ostracized by the other men in his village comes upon an unusual scene while fishing one night. He spies a group of beautiful, naked women, dancing in the moonlight. These women are Selkies, half human and half seal, and Donald rashly hides one of the seal skins they have temporarily shed. When they leave to go back to their watery home, one woman, unable to find her seal skin is trapped in human form. Donald takes advantage of the woman, then carries her home. His mother knows at once what has happened and also knows that a child will result from the brutal assault. What follows is the story of Donald, his mother Bridie, the Selkie and her children. Can Donald keep his strange, mute bride by his side forever, or will she someday return to the sea. An old tale of loss and heartbreak retold