As in all good fairy tales, the setting of Deerskin is vague regarding time and place.

A few hints, mentioned earlier, suggest that the story takes place in Damar. Moreover, references to unknown animals such as ootag or iruku and to strange foods like the borka root tell readers that this world is not exactly like ours. The time period is unclear as well. If this is indeed Damar, then the reference to Aerin places Deerskin in a time between that of The Hero and the Sword and that of The Blue Sword. The feudal social structures and medieval lifestyle place this story closer to Aerin's time than to Harry's, the latter seeming more akin to Victorian times. The lack of specificity regarding time and place is a strength of fairy tales; it makes them seem more universal in application. It also, surprisingly, makes them more believable. "Once...