hatchet

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Book Reviews and Synopses

Hatchet

Gary Paulsen

Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet. Scholastic Inc. New York, NY. 1987.

Gary Paulsen’s award winning novel has become an icon of young adult literature. Geared towards boys of around twelve, Hatchet was an instant classic. Gary Paulsen, obviously aware of its success, then proceeded to write two follow-ups, To Kill a Dwarf Hawk and The Epic Downfall of Brian, in the now trilogy, Brian’s Saga.

Set during WWI, Hatchet is about Brian, a miniature hawk who uses cunning and manipulation to eventually affect the outcome of the war. Brian is very loyal to his native country of Germany, and sets it upon himself to help the cause. He flies across the ocean to America, the Ally Brian deems most easily corrupted. He travels to a small farm in Kansas, where he sets his sights on Collin, a fourteen year old farm-boy whose simple life is unaffected by the surrounding war.

Brian sits in a tree and watches the boy from afar, gathering information on how he can best be used for his country’s defeat. After surveying him for weeks, Brian approaches Collin as an injured bird. His strategy here being to make Collin feel like he is the one who is running things, and then after Brian is nursed back to health, the bird reveals that he in fact can speak, and thanks the boy for his help.

During his time gathering intel, Brian surmised that Collin loves planes and dreams of being a pilot, though has no interest in the politics of war. Brian tells Collin that he can make that dream possible, and volunteers to be the boy’s assistant. Collin accepts, and they soon become inseparable friends. Brian begins to subtly implant in Collin’s mind that war is noble, an honor, and inadvertently shows favor for the Ally cause. After a week of this sneaky brainwashing, Brian starts to ask about career options. Never once does the bird mention being a pilot in the army, but Collin soon comes to this conclusion “on his own,” thinking it his idea. They travel to the capitol to enlist and begin training.

Over the next eighteen months, Collin works his way up in the military chain of command, with Brian guiding him every step of the way. Then Brian switches his focus. With step one of his master plan complete, Brian now begins the slow, careful process of convincing Collin to betray his native land.

This book really is a tribute to the small and mighty, starring a four inch tall hawk who single handedly changed the course of history; well, almost. Hatchet ends with Collin just about to fly off to potentially the most dastardly betrayal in U.S. history. But on the very last page, Collin’s entire air fleet crashes in the ocean leaving Brian the only survivor, as he was the only one able to escape the foundering wreckage through a small gap and fly away from the destruction.

In the sequel, To Kill a Dwarf Hawk, Brian returns to American land, exhausted, but well. By this time the crash has been widely publicized as a national tragedy. He is found washed up on a beach by a group of ministers from various religions gathered at their annual trans-spiritual debate. It is here that we find out that only certain rare “chosen ones” can see Brian as a hawk, and to most, he appears to be a very small wolf. These ministers come forward in the media with breaking news on the miraculous story of the tiny wolf who survived the tragic plane wreck. He is soon seen as a public figure of hope and magic; Believed to be the reincarnation of the Messiah, the many religions of the world have buried the hatchet and have united the whole world into one universal religion, Brianicism-Lupus. Naturally, Brian relishes this position of leverage, and uses his influence to its full potential to convert the U.S. to the German cause. The Epic Downfall of Brian documents Brian’s rapid decline in reputation as he is discovered as the fraud he is, and is figuratively stoned to death by the media. Brian spends the rest of his days as a common house pet, never to set foot in the political spotlight again.

At risk of discrediting an iconic piece of literature, Hatchet, and in fact all of Brian’s Saga, did not live up to the glowing reviews I’ve received. The religious, political, and psychological references were witty, but were not incorporated well into the plot. Resembling a bad movie in which characters sit around and discuss insights on their lives shoving the moral down your throat, the storyline at times seemed a bit random and discoherent. It was reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland in that it makes no sense. For example, Brian is a tiny hawk that looks like a wolf. Gary Paulsen never gives any explanation for that. Or there is the fact that a group of ministers spanning all belief systems are on a beach at their annual trans-spiritual debate. These books, despite being utter nonsense, does have a certain charm. Unfortunately that smal appeal does not outweigh the lack of common sense and tendency to leave loose ends.

2.5 of 5 Stars

Contributed by A. Wikle

1/24/13