Reviews - Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

208 reviews for:

Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

I loved it. 3/3 with a slow beginning but a transfixing story and experience, like a time capsule and oral history all at once. I don't think I've read a book like this before. I wonder if he took notes while he ran? Couldn't have.

The beginning is slow, it took me some time to get into the story, especially with the first chapters. But once he gets going, it is a delightfully written story, with funny characters and an evocative description of what it feels like to commit fully to the challenge. I would laugh while reading it, at coffee shops and on planes and by myself. The ending, I'm sure, is as quick and abrupt as it is for a reason, and it made me feel sad and unsatiated. I wanted to know more of his thoughts.

karmen12's review against another edition

3.0

I gave this book three stars because it wasn't a topic that I am very interested about but the story line was great. This book was about how Gary Paulsen ran the Iditarod and how close he became with his dogs. Some were just pain evil and others he has had for a very long time. While running the Iditarod he had many encounters with moose and many adventures with other mushers. He even saw one of the mushers kill one of his dogs. Overall I think that this was a good book.

longstorieshort's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous fast-paced

erinray82's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

librarilynn's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous inspiring reflective medium-paced

damopedro's review against another edition

5.0

A funny, madcap account of Paulsen having a crack at the Iditarod as very much a clueless rookie. Running a team of dogs "full of piss and vinegar" and with barely any control over them, it's page after page of "I can't believe that just happened!". Loved it.

thaumy's review against another edition

4.0

A wonderful book full of awe, madness and magic. The dogs round are all such unique characters and I came to love them all. Even Devil.

judyward's review against another edition

5.0

Having a passion for running sled dogs, Gary Paulsen decided to enter the Iditarod. It seemed a good idea at the time--after all, the race is only 1180 miles long--in the winter--in Alaska. In Paulsen's case, ignorance was bliss. After, in his view, adequate training, Paulsen and his 15 dog team began the Iditarod which turned out to be seventeen days of Hell. He and his dogs suffered blinding snowstorms, frostbite, moose attacks, dog fights, roaring winds, and a host of other challenges. This book should be a cautionary tale, but, in fact, it is hilarious. I laughed until I couldn't read bcause of the tears in my eyes, I laughed until the shouts from the other room of "we can't hear the television or ourselves think" registered on my brain. I laughed until my officemate asked me if everything was okay. And still I laughed. Run, don't walk, to find a copy of this book.