Northwind by Gary Paulsen

As Northwind unfolds, the sheer intimacy and power of the description of the wilds of the far, far north alerts the reader to the notion that this book is written by one who knows. And so it is. Paulsen, Newbery Honour prize winner, beloved author of the Hatchet series and over 200 other books of which over 35 million copies have been sold worldwide, died recently - in October 2021. This adds poignancy to reviewing his last book.

Northwind, published early in 2022, exemplifies his finest writing. Indeed, at the age of 82, Paulsen knew how to evoke the northern natural world, the nature of life, endurance, survival and death and the workings of the heart and mind of a remarkable teenage boy called Leif. And how did Paulsen know ... the reader knows that no-one could write with such authority without experience. Young readers would benefit from researching Paulsen's life. He has lived his books. He has survived in the wild as a teenager. He has learnt to make his own clothes, build his own shelter and catch his own food. He owned a ranch in Alaska, he sailed the Pacific and he enjoyed dogsledding. He is a role model for self reliance, resourcefulness and endurance. These skills and attitudes emerge in his characters. Leif in Northwind is an inspiring example.

Set back in time, the story follows Leif, an orphan boy who has endured a cruelly, spartan life aboard sailing ships and amongst hardened men. A sinister disease kills everybody he knows, including a young boy who he tenderly tries to save. He is terribly ill himself but survives - this being the first of a number of rugged challenges that he overcomes throughout the narrative. An older sailor who had shown him kindness gives him basic tools and tells him to take a cedar canoe, go north and never look back. Thus begins an adventure that addresses starvation, living off the land and sea, battling the elements, bear attacks and many other fearsome challenges. 

Written in the third person, the narrative describes Leif's journey. At times the reader is privy to Leif's thoughts which reveal a growing understanding of the purpose and nature of life and death. The writing moves with the beat of the heart; it moves powerfully in tune with the movement of the northern current and the chop of the oars. With strength and courage, Leif battles through awe-inspiring landscapes of fjords, islands, rugged coastlines, crashing waters, icebergs and ocean. A distinct feel of Norse mythology permeates his thoughts and his world. He finds solutions, he takes on terrifying challenges and as he learns he moves from being an outsider to being 'of' the place.

In an author's note at the end of the book, Paulsen explains how Northwind grew out of his own life. A captivating adventure story, Northwind needs to be placed in the hands of young people so that they can experience the wisdom, courage, fortitude combined with tender-heartedness and fine morality that flows from the pen of the outdoors man and author Gary Paulsen into his characters. Leif is the kind of role model that young people hunger for.

 A highly recommended coming-of-age adventure/survival story.

Themes: Survival in the northern wilderness, Norse mythology, Historical adventure, Life and death.

Wendy Jeffrey