Shelf Aware: Northwind

On a recent trip to Minneapolis, we visited Birchbark Books.  As a slow reader, I'm usually pretty picky about what I read because I know, no matter how short, I'll be spending a lot of time with which ever book I pick.  I also typically read ebooks on my e-reader, so while I enjoy visiting a brick and mortar book store and browsing physical books, I don't often come away with much to read.

I was taken aback when I picked up Northwind by Gary Paulsen though.  First and foremost because it was published in 2022 and Paulsen passed away in 2021.  I assumed it was published posthumously with the help of a guest author or something, but couldn't find any other than Paulsen listed.  My curiosity was piqued, so we put it on the pile of books and I started reading right away.

Taken on its face, the story of Leif, a young boy running from an outbreak of sickness and a life of servitude, isn't necessarily Paulsen's greatest work.  However, this was Gary Paulsen's last novel. 

I first read his book Hatchet when I was in 4th grade and it changed the trajectory of my life. It taught me at a young age about resilience, perseverance and creative ingenuity; things that would ultimately guide my personal and professional life. It was also one of, if not the, first times I became absorbed in a book; drawn into its' world. It sparked a lifelong love of reading. I give that credit to Gary Paulsen.

And while the story Paulsen tells here is not quite on the same impactful level as Hatchet, I will always afford him that good will. Stylistically, it diverges into near-poetic prose from his other novels which lends it a more spiritual, dreamy quality than his other works and somehow this novel seems fitting as his last.

Astonishingly, the story Paulsen tells, according to his author's note after the last chapter, is also derived from a wealth of his own personal experiences. Part of me wished the Author's Note would have been presented as a Foreward to inform the story elements to come, but on reflection, I'm glad it was structured the way it was.