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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
So, holy crap, the Iditarod does not sound like something I would want to do anytime soon. Paulsen does a fine job of detailing his experiences on the trail and while training. His writing is very vivid - you feel like you're with him, huddled in that sleep bag in -60degree weather. Yikes.
And the ending, it kind of knocked the wind out of me. I had been wondering why a guy so enamored with the Iditarod and with his sled dogs could live in New Mexico... well, makes sense now. Ouch.
Sled dogs are not your average pet. I had to keep reminding myself of that, because I found the behavior of his animals appalling. I don't ever want a sled dog, but I can still admire them from afar. Like the Iditarod. I ain't ever gonna run it but I can wave at those who do from the warm safety of my insulated home.
And the ending, it kind of knocked the wind out of me. I had been wondering why a guy so enamored with the Iditarod and with his sled dogs could live in New Mexico... well, makes sense now. Ouch.
Sled dogs are not your average pet. I had to keep reminding myself of that, because I found the behavior of his animals appalling. I don't ever want a sled dog, but I can still admire them from afar. Like the Iditarod. I ain't ever gonna run it but I can wave at those who do from the warm safety of my insulated home.
Not a favorite, but just good enough to keep me reading for its entirety.
I didn't enjoy Paulsen's self-deprecating style, it was overly done and just made him seem selfish, careless and thoughtless. I also found that he played up Alaska myths in the same annoying way that reality T.V. shows do.
Other than those aspects, which were almost deal-breakers for me, the story itself is interesting enough, and I laughed out loud a couple of times.
I would really like to have the pleasure of watching the playful buffalo on the ice.
I didn't enjoy Paulsen's self-deprecating style, it was overly done and just made him seem selfish, careless and thoughtless. I also found that he played up Alaska myths in the same annoying way that reality T.V. shows do.
Other than those aspects, which were almost deal-breakers for me, the story itself is interesting enough, and I laughed out loud a couple of times.
I would really like to have the pleasure of watching the playful buffalo on the ice.
I loved Paulsen's books as a kid, so I decided to give this a shot. The idea of the Iditarod is fascinating to me. I don't like snow or cold to start with, so the idea that a person would complete this race ONCE is beyond me. It was so interesting to get a behind the scenes look at the event.
Gary Paulsen's entertaining, often funny, tales of running the Iditarod sled dog race
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
A really quick and surprisingly delightful read! Paulsen writes with a combination of self-deprecation, love for his subject, and edge-of-your-seat suspense that makes the book fly by. Learned a lot about dog-sled racing, and laughed along the way.
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved every word of this. Amazingly well written full of adventure, excitement, and dogs.
Really enjoyed this story of one MSN’s endeavours to complete the race across Alaska (1180 miles) - how he ‘became a dog’ eating and sleeping with his team, in order to fully understand them. He enjoyed incredible beauty on his journey but also terrible hardships with below 50 degree temps, fierce winds, breaking sea ice and ravines. For the love of his dogs he endures frostbite, lack of sleep, hallucinations and extreme physical hardship. Hats off to you Gary!