Stranger in the Mask of a Deer

by Richard Skelton

Stranger in the Mask of a Deer conjures an elemental, dreamlike narrative set in the Late-Upper Palaeolithic, as the British peninsula was gradually reoccupied by humans (and animals) returning from the greater continent after the Ice Age. Skelton began the poem many years ago with the intention of exploring the history of Britain’s landscape, only for the text to transform into a kind of literary séance involving both human and other-than-human.

Genres: Poetry

120 pages, Paperback

Published June 21, 2021

About the author

Richard Skelton is a British musician. Following the death of his wife Louise in 2004, he began to make music as a way of coming to terms with the tragedy.

His music, which uses a number of instruments – principally guitar and violin, has been compared with that of Arvo Pärt among others. His recordings explicitly reference places of emotional resonance, specifically the West Pennine Moors, and the area around the sparsely populated parish of Anglezarke.

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though placed in an ancient world, the conflict at the heart of "Stranger" is timeless. Most passages read like an inner monologue where observation, question, and reflection serve as a tour guide through mysterious recesses. This text could easily be foundational for small group discussions where the central question is what of ourselves we see in the world around us.

[Tom Stanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the late Palaeolithic, writer, musician and filmmaker, Richard Skelton creates an ancient landscape in his new collection of poetry, Stranger in the Mask of a Deer, an ethereal and dreamlike prose which brings to life this ancient and primitive world of our ancestors.

Stranger in the Mask of a Deer is a very unique collection, not only immersing itself and regenerating the past, but also being set in a specific epoch Skelton creates a narrative for these people, not only as hunter gathers, not only as our ancestors, but also as families and communities themselves, with their own culture, dreams and traditions which, very much, brings them to life within the pages. Skelton’s use of a ‘primitive’ style exemplifies that this is a book very deeply set in the past, about the past for the modern reader. Many other poets have written about the past albeit mostly written in the style of the time. The primitiveness of Stranger in the Mask of a Deer is what sets this collection apart from the rest to truly stand as a singular and unique piece of work.

Prehistoric studies have taken on a new devotees to its study over the past few decades, with figures such as Aubrey Burl, T.C. Lethbridge and Julian Cope bringing our prehistoric selves who migrated to this island into the public eye Stranger in the Mask of a Deer is a wonderful accompaniment to the studies where we can attempt to capture the spirit of the people who lived in those times, helping the reader to experience a part of their lives and experiences.

Although Stranger in the Mask of a Deer is prehistoric in its nature and style, it is also a very modern piece of work, casting aside the more classical styles of Kipling or Pope and embracing a more ethereal and musical style which commingle to create a new and vibrant narrative.

[S P · Rating 3 out of 5]

from 'before'

& what was there before father sun i said
the fixed star & its bluewhite radiance it said

& before mother earth i said
the slow restlessness of soil it said

& before polytheism
the plant & animal & mineral other

& before monotheism
the gaze of a deer

& before god & the devil
nival rivers

& what was there before worship i said
respect it said

& before reverence i said
respect it said

& before sacrifice
respect (75-6)

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

marked this as read but i’m always reading this book. it is like my bible

[Jaime Almansa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aunque por momentos el estilo me chocó, me ha parecido súper profundo. De esos que volveré a leer en algún momento.

[Mick Canning · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I last read something new and immediately put it into my top ten reads, but this remarkable work is straight in there. A few weeks later I had to re-read it, captivated by its dream-like quality.

It is essentially a poetic narrative ranging between the present day and Palaeolithic Britain, told by humans both ancient and modern, and by non-human voices. Its essence is life and ritual, the connection between humans and animals, between humans and the land they occupy, and the elements surrounding them.

The remains of deer skulls complete with antlers, but with eye holes punched into the skull so they might be worn as masks, have been found at Star Carr in Yorkshire, dating to approximately eleven thousand years ago. It is presumed these masks would have been used in rituals…