The River (novel)

1991 novel by Gary Paulsen

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The River

First edition

Author| Gary Paulsen
Cover artist| None
Language| English
Series| Brian's Saga
Genre| Novel
Publisher| Delacorte Press

Publication date

| June 1991
Publication place| United States
Media type| Print (Hardcover and Paperback)
Pages| 130
Preceded by| Hatchet
Followed by| Brian's Winter

The River, also known as The Return[1] and Hatchet: The Return,[2] is a 1991 young adult novel by Gary Paulsen. It is the second installment in the Hatchet series, although Brian's Winter (1996) kicks off an alternative trilogy of sequels to Hatchet that disregard The River from canon.

The 1993 reprint includes a note (copied from Paulsen's handwriting) explaining about the survival aspects of The River that "like all my books it is based on things that happened to me."[1]

## Plot

[edit]

Brian Robeson, a 13-year-old boy who spent 54 days surviving alone in the Canadian wilderness the previous summer, is hired by the government to again live in the woods and survive using only his wits so the military can learn his survival techniques. Though reluctant at first, Brian eventually agrees. This time, Brian sets out for a remote Canadian location accompanied by Derek Holtzer, a government psychologist.

Though the government stipulated the duo take emergency supplies, Brian insists they abandon everything but a knife and an emergency radio, saying that it would be impossible to eat bugs and sleep in the rain when a tent and prepared food is within reach. During their stay, things take a grim turn when their camp is struck by lightning, which knocks Derek into a coma and destroys the radio. Knowing that Derek will die of dehydration long before anyone finds them, Brian builds a raft in a desperate bid to navigate down the unknown river to Brannock's Trading Post, the nearest inhabited point, for emergency aid. The biggest problem is the trading post is 100 miles (160 km) downriver. Despite rapids, the craft's unwieldiness, exhaustion, and a lack of geographical knowledge, they finally reach the trading post and Derek survives. After the two get back home, Derek buys Brian a canoe named The Raft as a thank you present.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Paulsen, Gary (1993) [1991]. The River (Trumpet ed.). New York: Dell. p. inside cover. ISBN 0-440-82118-5.

1. ^ "The River". Fantastic Fiction.

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Works by Gary Paulsen

Bibliography

Brian's saga|

* Hatchet
* The River
* Brian's Winter
* Brian's Return
* Brian's Hunt

Murphy series|

* Murphy
* Murphy's Gold
* Murphy's Herd
* Murphy's War
* Murphy's Stand
* Murphy's Ambush
* Murphy's Trail

Culpepper Adventures|

* The Case of the Dirty Bird
* Dunc's Doll
* Culpepper's Cannon
* Dunc Gets Tweaked
* Dunc's Halloween
* Dunc Breaks the Record

The Tucket Adventures|

* Mr. Tucket
* Call Me Francis Tucket
* Tucket's Ride
* Tucket's Gold
* Tucket's Home

World of Adventure|

* The Legend of Red Horse Cavern
* Rodomonte's Revenge
* Escape from Fire Mountain
* The Rock Jockeys
* Hook 'Em Snotty!
* Danger on Midnight River
* The Gorgon Slayer
* Captive!
* Project - A Perfect World
* The Treasure of El Patron
* Skydive!
* The Seventh Crystal
* The Creature of Black Water Lake
* Time Benders
* Grizzly
* Thunder Valley
* Curse of the Ruins
* Flight of the Hawk

Other novels|

* Dogsong
* The Winter Room
* Canyons
* The Cookcamp
* Harris and Me
* Nightjohn
* The Car
* The Tent
* Sarny
* The Transall Saga
* Alida's Song
* Soldier's Heart
* The White Fox Chronicles
* The Glass Cafe
* Woods Runner
* The Rifle

Non-fiction|

* Woodsong
* Winterdance
* My Life in Dog Years
* Guts
* How Angel Peterson Got His Name
* Gone to the Woods

Film adaptations|

* A Cry in the Wild
* Nightjohn
* Snow Dogs

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