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emdoux's review against another edition
3.0
this was good but too lyrical for driving, kept zoning out and going up north in my mind
hickorynut's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This was a simple survival story of a boy named Leif raised in the roughest circumstances by sailors and the poorest townspeople. When disease takes his community, Leif sets sail in a canoe, heading north in search of an unknown better life. At first accompanied by another young boy, he ends up responsible for finding and creating the boy's final resting place.
The vast majority of Leif's survival story is him navigating the shorelines in search of blackberries, salmon, and safe spots to set up temporary camps away from hungry predators. After encounters with bear, he prefers making his temporary camps on small islands, smoking salmon strips to eat while he travels. The focus is largely on that same set of goals: blackberries, salmon, temporary camps, and continuing on in his canoe. The repetitiveness helps strengthen the reality of how survival takes up every second.
It's been years since I've read The Hatchet by this author so I'll have to do a reread to compare them. The first section of this book that gave a brief overview of Leif's childhood and background was printed in a font that seemed to be a nod to Nordic design, but was difficult to read for someone with vision issues. I definitely struggled to take in that section and those details.
The vast majority of Leif's survival story is him navigating the shorelines in search of blackberries, salmon, and safe spots to set up temporary camps away from hungry predators. After encounters with bear, he prefers making his temporary camps on small islands, smoking salmon strips to eat while he travels. The focus is largely on that same set of goals: blackberries, salmon, temporary camps, and continuing on in his canoe.
It's been years since I've read The Hatchet by this author so I'll have to do a reread to compare them. The first section of this book that gave a brief overview of Leif's childhood and background was printed in a font that seemed to be a nod to Nordic design, but was difficult to read for someone with vision issues. I definitely struggled to take in that section and those details.
the_tomeraider's review
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Northwind by Gary Paulsen is an adventure through the sea like Hatchet is an adventure through the forest.
Though, with this book, even at times of conflict there is a lot more calm then I felt when I read Hatchet. The tone and formatting give the book this dreamy, story like appearence in contrast to the first person gritty survival seen in Hatchet. I found that I really enjoyed the change in pace. It was a relaxing read about connecting with nature and a boy's journey, his fight with grief and his discovery of a new home. The writing style really sold me on the environment and the culture. I felt really connected with that throughout the duration of the book and that was by far my favorite part.
The stakes where just hard to be invested in, because of that dream like quality and I found that that detracted from my enjoyment of the book slightly, though only slightly. The dream like quality added more than it detracted from the story though. The author's supposion of himself onto Leif is obvious and Leif feels less like a young boy and more like a very wise teenager at best and a man in his late 20s at worst.
Despite those minor flaws, for a beautiful journey I would recommend this book to anyone. It's an easy and fast read in a beautiful setting with a great message. I highly recommend reading the author's note as well. It added a lot of context to the story and its formation that helped clairfy things that I found to be interesting style choices when I was reading.
Though, with this book, even at times of conflict there is a lot more calm then I felt when I read Hatchet. The tone and formatting give the book this dreamy, story like appearence in contrast to the first person gritty survival seen in Hatchet. I found that I really enjoyed the change in pace. It was a relaxing read about connecting with nature and a boy's journey, his fight with grief and his discovery of a new home. The writing style really sold me on the environment and the culture. I felt really connected with that throughout the duration of the book and that was by far my favorite part.
The stakes where just hard to be invested in, because of that dream like quality and I found that that detracted from my enjoyment of the book slightly, though only slightly. The dream like quality added more than it detracted from the story though. The author's supposion of himself onto Leif is obvious and Leif feels less like a young boy and more like a very wise teenager at best and a man in his late 20s at worst.
Despite those minor flaws, for a beautiful journey I would recommend this book to anyone. It's an easy and fast read in a beautiful setting with a great message. I highly recommend reading the author's note as well. It added a lot of context to the story and its formation that helped clairfy things that I found to be interesting style choices when I was reading.
wanderer6564's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
For me its pretty boring book, everything is repeated over and over
chroniclerofcreepy'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.
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.
kristinajean's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mandajane85's review against another edition
Just did grab my attention, I found my mind wandering.
bookishwiles's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book aloud to my 9 year old. It was lyrical and beautiful to read aloud. The beginning of the book could be intense for a young audience because the descriptions are vivid. I was able to read quite a bit the first night to get past any creepiness and not worry about bad dreams.
I would definitely recommend this book.
I would definitely recommend this book.