Reviews

Northwind by Gary Paulsen

augustreadsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

dswhite's review against another edition

3.0

This was a pretty good book of boy a lone with nature.

library_kb's review

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I didn't particularly enjoy Hatchet, and so I didn't enjoy Northwind. I think those that do enjoy Hatchet will also like this book because they have many similar plot beats and the person vs. nature conflict themes are very present in this book as well. For me, personally, books that feature a single character are not very interesting because I want to read about different people navigating life with others. 

kerrifilippazzo's review against another edition

4.0

I wouldn’t recommend the audiobook, but reading this was like taking a break from the modern world.

droar's review against another edition

3.0

Lovely but remarkably slow for a Paulsen. It's got a strong old soul vibe (which I enjoyed) but had so little tension, despite it's technically thrilling plot points, I found it hard to pay attention. certainly don't agree that it does for the sea what Hatchet did for the woods as the flap description claims. Northwind is certainly about survival but it doesn't feel like a survival story, more a communing and connecting with nature kind of deal.

Spoiler

This might be because Leif has no interest in returning to 'civilization' and is so entirely Zen about everything that happens. It's not a bad mindset to have in real life, just a weird one to base a teen survival story around *shrug*

In all: worth a try if you like ocean-y wilderness stories, but if it's not for you in the first 50 or so pages be willing to set it down.

raechsreads's review

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Whoa. This style of book isn't usually my first pick, but Northwind pulled me along Leif's journey. I enjoyed the mix of adventure with coming of age and survival. I'm left wondering what could have happened if he had run into other humans.

millyfox's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

aliencatl0rd's review against another edition

3.0

When I unboxed this book from out newest library order I was supremely excited! I remember being very fond of Hatchet when I was a kid, and I had hopes that this would be a Scandinavian flavored version.

Unfortunately I didn't particularly enjoy it... It's incredibly repetitive. Aside from the beginning there just isn't much development. Tides, canoe, berries, whales, bears, ravens, traveling north; repeat.

All the same it was beautiful and I could picture the entire book very clearly. The scenery and Leif's observations and interactions with the animals were lovely. I just wish it had taken us somewhere.

snicksnacksnorum's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

amdawson's review against another edition

adventurous informative sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A good middle-grade survival story set on the sea.