Title: Hatchet
Author: Gary Paulsen
First published September 30, 1987
208 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780689840920 (ISBN10: 0689840926)
Rating: 3.77
Overview
Stranded in the harsh wilderness, Brian fights for survival after a plane crash leaves him alone and vulnerable. With only a hatchet to rely on, he must navigate the dangers of the Canadian wilderness, including harsh weather and dangerous animals.
As he struggles to find food, water, and shelter, Brian learns to adapt to his surroundings and harness his own resourcefulness. With each passing day, he grows stronger and more resilient, determined to stay alive and make it back to civilization.
This thrilling tale of survival and self-discovery will captivate readers of all ages and inspire them to explore the great outdoors.
About the Author
Paulsen wasn’t a studious kid, but he fell in love with reading early on. A librarian gave him a book and a library card, and he was hooked.
He spent hours reading alone in the basement of his apartment building.
At 14, Paulsen ran away from home and joined a traveling carnival, which gave him a taste for adventure. Over the years, he’s had a variety of jobs, including working on a farm, as an engineer, construction worker, ranch hand, truck driver, and sailor.
He’s also completed two grueling 1,180-mile dog sled races in Alaska, the Iditarod. All of these experiences have provided him with plenty of material for his stories.
Paulsen and his wife, Ruth Wright Paulsen, who’s an artist and has illustrated some of his books, divide their time between a home in New Mexico and a boat in the Pacific.
Editoral Review
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is a classic young adult novel published in 1987. Paulsen, an American author who specializes in children and young adult literature, has published more than 200 works over his career.
Hatchet is consistently cited as one of his best works and has been praised for its gripping narrative and realistic portrayal of survival in the wilderness. The novel follows the story of Brian Robeson, a young boy who is stranded in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash.
With only a hatchet for survival, Brian must learn to fend for himself in a hostile environment. The book is set against the backdrop of the natural world, and the descriptions of the landscape are both beautiful and haunting.
The themes of self-reliance and resilience resonate strongly throughout the book, as Brian must learn to adapt to his surroundings and overcome numerous obstacles. The novel also explores deeper themes of loneliness, fear and hope as he grapples with his new reality, and his struggle to stay alive.
The character development in Hatchet is superb, as Paulsen slowly reveals the different facets of Brian’s character over the course of the novel. The pacing is also perfect, as the story moves forward at just the right speed to maintain the reader’s interest.
Paulsen’s writing style is clear and concise, and his use of the natural world as a metaphor for life is powerful and evocative. Overall, Hatchet is a masterpiece of young adult literature that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
It is a book that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and its messages of self-reliance and perseverance are sure to resonate with anyone going through a difficult time. It is a testament to the enduring power of great storytelling and is highly recommended to anyone looking for a Read that can inspire and uplift.
A must-read for all ages!
Rating: 4.5/5
While there are no major flaws in the book, some readers may find it a little too heavy on the survivalist theme. Additionally, the ending may feel a little too abrupt for some readers.
However, these are minor issues that do not detract from the overall quality of the book.
