“Hatchet” makes me question whether or not I would be able to survive in the wilderness with only a hatchet. Seriously, I kinda want to see if I could do it. I wasn’t too engaged at the beginning, but like “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon”, there was a life at stake and I had to see it rescued.
The differences between the two stories are important to note:
The length of time the individual is lost. Brian is lost for 50+ days. Trish is lost for two weeks.
The age of the individual lost. Brian is 13 years old. Trish is 9 years old.
Where they got lost. Brian got lost in the Canadian wilderness. Trish got lost in the Appalachians.
What they did once they realized they were lost. Brian stayed in one place and made himself a home. Trish started walking and just kept walking, sometimes following a stream, sometimes just walking.
The item they treasured most. Brian, of course, had his hatchet. Trish had her walkman.
Those are just a few differences between these two survival type books. Both have good ideas and tips, but I just don’t know what I would do if I were in the same situation. The biggest question I get stuck on is if I would move around or try to stay in the same place. I guess I may never know the answer to that question.
Okay, to the actual review of the book. I really enjoyed it. It was a good read, and I can only guess when I say that it was realistic. I don’t really know if it is or not. I’m a little surprised he didn’t get sick more than the book says. The time got a little warped near the end of the book and instead of being a present narration, it became recollections. The ending was rather abrupt, but I was content. I was curious to know what would have happened if Brian hadn’t been rescued by winter. Turns out Gary Paulsen wrote a sequel… well, he wrote the Brian Saga. The next book answers my questions. It’s called “Brian’s Winter”. I’m looking forward to reading it, but I get the impression that it might be a little sugar-coated or that details might be a little clouded over. For that reason, I think I should also read “Guts” (also by Gary Paulsen).
The point of the story is that the book was good and that I would recommend it to those who might one day be lost in the woods. You know who you are.