Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is a suspenseful, psychological tale about a young man and his transformation from an urbanized city dweller to a self-reliant survivor of the wilderness. The story follows 13-year-old protagonist Brian Robeson as he embarks on a dangerous journey to visit his father in the Canadian wild. Little does he know, he is about to face unexpected challenges that will force him to grow in strength and knowledge in order to make it out alive.
The story begins with Brian's parents separated, and his father working in Canada as a geologist. After his mother and he succeed in persuading his dad to allow him to come and visit, he is put on a plane toCanada. The pilot, who is noticeably intoxicated, succumbs to a heart attack, causing the plane to crash into a remote lake. The only surviving passenger, Brian must learn to fend for himself in this isolated and harsh terrain.
In the first few chapters, Paulsen slowly introduces the reader to the vastness of the environment and the intricacies of nature. As Brian begins to learn about the land and the animals he encounters, he also uncovers the secrets within his own strength. Paulsen provides a comprehensive, yet caring approach to showing the vastness of Brian's journey.
The novel is heavily centered on themes of courage, perseverance and compassion. Throughout Brian's individual trials, he never loses sight of a greater purpose and learns to care for the environment and animals he encounters. As his courage and resourcefulness grows, he begins to trust and rely upon nature's aid to survive.
In the end, Brian is able to rise to the challenge and find his way back to civilization. While the story prominently features Brian and his seemingly endless trials, it subtly sheds light on the courage and determination of man. Paulsen's writing is both succinct and poignantly powerful. Not only does he illustrate the physical and psychological struggles of survival, but he also demonstrates how it is possible to cultivate our own strengths and emerge, even from the darkness of a terrible situation.
All in all, Hatchet is a captivating and thought-provoking piece of literature. Spanning just over 170 pages, the book has enough substance to keep readers invested. With its exciting and suspenseful plot, beautiful imagery and meaningful themes, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is without a doubt an inspiring and necessary addition to any book collection.
