by Cynthia Ruchti,
Abingdon Press, 2010
Libby's lacklustre marriage is on the verge of complete disintegration when her husband, Greg, disappears in the Canadian wilderness during a solo canoe trip. The authorities conduct an investigation and have searchers fly over the area of Quetico Park he was supposed to be in, although they suspect he's not run into trouble, but deserted his wife.
Despite their marital problems, Libby knows Greg is too faithful and loyal to leave her. Taking the search into their own hands, she, her father-in-law Frank, and her best friend Jen, decide to follow Greg's route to see if they can find him, or at least discover what happened to him.
This is a fascinating and well-written story on the subjects of love, loss, and faith. While the author seems to have only one other story in print, I look forward to reading it along with any future books she may write.
Showing posts with label survival literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label survival literature. Show all posts
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The River
by Gary Paulsen
Random House, 2002
It's been over a year since Brian made his way out of the wilderness, armed only with a hatchet. At first, there was much media interest and curiosity, but now life has returned to normal, though Brian himself has changed, with a greater appreciation for the smallest amenities and pleasures.
Then three men show up at Brian's home with a proposition. They want him to go back into the wilderness with a government psychologist so they can learn how Brian survived - not the mechanical stuff, but the psychological - so they can teach others who might find themselves in similar circumstances.
At first Brian is reluctant, but he changes his mind after giving it some thought. If he can help others survive where they might otherwise die, he has to do it. He and the psychologist, Derek, are flown out to a remote location to begin their journey home. Before their plane lands, Brian knows that they can't take with them all the equipment the government has provided, or they will depend on it for survival, instead of on their wits alone. He insists that they take the barest equipment - a knife - and agrees to bring an emergency radio as well.
Their wilderness experience is off to a satisfying start when lightning strikes their camp. Derek is rendered comatose and the emergency radio destroyed. Brian knows that he has to get Derek to civilization or the man will die of dehydration. He fashions a raft, lashes Derek to it, and sets off down the river in a desparate bid to get help before it's too late.
This book was in the children's section of my library, but I think it more properly belongs in the teen collection, since Brian himself is about 16.
Highly recommended for readers of all ages.
Random House, 2002
It's been over a year since Brian made his way out of the wilderness, armed only with a hatchet. At first, there was much media interest and curiosity, but now life has returned to normal, though Brian himself has changed, with a greater appreciation for the smallest amenities and pleasures.
Then three men show up at Brian's home with a proposition. They want him to go back into the wilderness with a government psychologist so they can learn how Brian survived - not the mechanical stuff, but the psychological - so they can teach others who might find themselves in similar circumstances.
At first Brian is reluctant, but he changes his mind after giving it some thought. If he can help others survive where they might otherwise die, he has to do it. He and the psychologist, Derek, are flown out to a remote location to begin their journey home. Before their plane lands, Brian knows that they can't take with them all the equipment the government has provided, or they will depend on it for survival, instead of on their wits alone. He insists that they take the barest equipment - a knife - and agrees to bring an emergency radio as well.
Their wilderness experience is off to a satisfying start when lightning strikes their camp. Derek is rendered comatose and the emergency radio destroyed. Brian knows that he has to get Derek to civilization or the man will die of dehydration. He fashions a raft, lashes Derek to it, and sets off down the river in a desparate bid to get help before it's too late.
This book was in the children's section of my library, but I think it more properly belongs in the teen collection, since Brian himself is about 16.
Highly recommended for readers of all ages.
Labels:
Gary Paulsen,
survival literature,
teen fiction
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