Gary Paulsen (1939–2021)

This is a direct continuation/alternate ending/retcon of Hatchet, the first book in the series. It changes the ending of Hatchet, so that Brian was still stuck in the wilderness as winter came. We therefore get to see how he applies his hard-earned survival experience and his wilderness-attuned mentality to get through the extreme cold and bad weather of winter.

I like this ending of the story better than the one in Hatched. Brian was ready for this extra challenge, so why deprive readers of the pleasure of seeing him cope with winter?

Once more, the writing is average and simplistic, but the survival and nature content still makes up for it. I'm giving it 3 stars instead of the 4 I gave to Hatchet, however, because I felt the storytelling was a bit by-the-numbers, as if Brian overcame the challenges too easily this time, so there was less conflict. It never felt like he might fail and die at any moment.

Still, this completes Brian's ordeal and coming-of-age nicely, and complements Hatchet as a life-changing experience for him.

One pet peeve: in the end, I would have liked more about what how Brian's family and the world in general reacted to his unexpected survival. I felt a bit cheated that this was not explored.… (más)

This is a classic children's book in the adventure/survival genre. Brian is a 13-year-old boy who finds himself alone in a small plane above the Canadian wilderness, with the pilot dead from a heart attack.

You have to understand that Gary Paulsen is not a great writer. The writing is average at best, and the author often uses the technique of repeating the same observation several times in slightly different sentences. The book is also direct and simplistic, targeted to children rather than to the YA market.

Having said that, these flaws can be forgiven because this book has something valuable to offer: the tale of how Brian changes his mindset and gets attuned to the wilderness, in a world where the first pressing concern is getting food and the second protecting yourself against adverse weather and wild animals. In the beginning Brian is a scared child, and as the story advances he figures out the rules of this new environment and he changes to be able to survive. By the end we feel that, barring a tragic accident, he is will be able to cope with all the adversities the wilderness throws his way.

This is a short book, and one things get going the reading becomes fast and compulsive. Good for young, reluctant readers who enjoy adventure tales.… (más)

Book 2 in the series, although I'd personally advice you to read it third, after "Hatchet" and "Brian's Winter", since those two books tell a complete story that takes place before "The River".

Same flaws and appeal as the rest of the series. Simplistic writing, children literature rather than YA, but interesting for the adventure and for the psychological aspect of how Brian's mentality has changed to get attuned to and survive in the wilderness. Short and quick to read.

Here the reader's incredulity may be challenged more strongly by the excuse for Brian's return to the wilderness, and by yet another tragic accident that places him once again in an extreme situation, this time not only responsible for his life but for another person's. Still, I was able to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story without much problem, so 4 stars from me.… (más)