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Brian's Saga #4
Hatchet: The Call
As millions of readers of Hatchet, The River, and Brian's Winter know, Brian Robeson survived alone in the wilderness by finding solutions to extraordinary challenges. But now that's he's back in civilization, he can't find a way to make sense of high school life. He feels disconnected, more isolated than he did alone in the North. The only answer is to return-to "go back in"-for only in the wilderness can Brian discover his true path in life, and where he belongs. "From the Paperback edition."
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 1999
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10474 people want to read
About the author
Gary Paulsen
416 books4,040 followersGary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books and wrote more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 990 reviews
February 9, 2024
Brian’s Return follows Brian as he comes back to “normal life” after his wilderness experiences in the previous three books. He struggles to adapt to home and school life again and feels like something is missing. He also struggles to accept that men kill animals for sport and trophies and not for means of survival. He soon becomes known as the “animal-boy” as his nature and survival instincts no longer match his surroundings.
“Once you have the woods in you, you’re never the same.”
Fighting to find himself in his conflicted predicament, Brian learns the only way to do so is to return to the wilderness.
“It’s time for you to go back, to find what you’re looking for.”
So back to the woods he goes…Does he find himself? Does he find the answers he so desperately seeks? It’s definitely worth a read to find out. There are more skillful survival moments and a lot of introspection.
"What you didn't think would get you, would get you."
What I Really Enjoyed:
~ The character Billy and his symbolism to Brian’s future
~ The storm scene and bear encounter
~ Author Gary Paulsen’s Note: He begins by telling the readers, “Virtually all that happens to Brian in these books has happened to me at some point in my life.” He also decided at that time this would be the last book in the Brian Saga; however, in 2003 Brian’s Hunt was released! What a nice surprise! At this time, that is still the last book of the series, so I can’t wait to officially complete the series!
“Once you have the woods in you, you’re never the same.”
Fighting to find himself in his conflicted predicament, Brian learns the only way to do so is to return to the wilderness.
“It’s time for you to go back, to find what you’re looking for.”
So back to the woods he goes…Does he find himself? Does he find the answers he so desperately seeks? It’s definitely worth a read to find out. There are more skillful survival moments and a lot of introspection.
"What you didn't think would get you, would get you."
What I Really Enjoyed:
~ The character Billy and his symbolism to Brian’s future
~ The storm scene and bear encounter
~ Author Gary Paulsen’s Note: He begins by telling the readers, “Virtually all that happens to Brian in these books has happened to me at some point in my life.” He also decided at that time this would be the last book in the Brian Saga; however, in 2003 Brian’s Hunt was released! What a nice surprise! At this time, that is still the last book of the series, so I can’t wait to officially complete the series!
June 25, 2012
It was about 20 years ago in school that my teacher read to us The Hatchet. It was always one of my favorite books. One that I would come back to and read occasionally as I got older.
I started re-visiting classics that were popular when I was a child. So with the power of the internet, I was able to discover, much to my surprise, that Gary Paulsen hadn’t been idle with his young character, Brian. Naturally I knew about The River, but not that fans had badgered Mr. Paulsen to write an alternative to The Hatchet’s ending. Which, is invariably, how fans came to have Brian’s Winter. Anyway, with all that being said, I lost track of time and once again I went researching Gary Paulsen and discovered he’d written more Brian adventures. Here are my thoughts on the series thus far…
I believe that Mr. Paulsen had kept the integrity of the character. The writing sounds the same, as does young Brian.
Of course, being an adult, the story felt a little too short, but keeping in mind that this book wasn’t made for an old fuddy-duddy like myself, I felt was a good fit. Young readers will delight in Brian’s return to the wilderness. Personally, I was most captivated by the knowledge of Brian, and all that he explained about living in the wilderness.
As for the story itself, I think of this like a combination of The Hatchet and The River. Brian sets off to visit a trapper family he met in Brian’s Winter. He flies out the first leg, but the second leg he gets out his canoe and paddles the rest of the way.
The entire book is simply as I’ve stated, although there is a climax at the end of the story, like most books usually do.
Overall, a good continuation to the series. I might be a little too old for these books, but I really do think young readers will enjoy them.
I started re-visiting classics that were popular when I was a child. So with the power of the internet, I was able to discover, much to my surprise, that Gary Paulsen hadn’t been idle with his young character, Brian. Naturally I knew about The River, but not that fans had badgered Mr. Paulsen to write an alternative to The Hatchet’s ending. Which, is invariably, how fans came to have Brian’s Winter. Anyway, with all that being said, I lost track of time and once again I went researching Gary Paulsen and discovered he’d written more Brian adventures. Here are my thoughts on the series thus far…
I believe that Mr. Paulsen had kept the integrity of the character. The writing sounds the same, as does young Brian.
Of course, being an adult, the story felt a little too short, but keeping in mind that this book wasn’t made for an old fuddy-duddy like myself, I felt was a good fit. Young readers will delight in Brian’s return to the wilderness. Personally, I was most captivated by the knowledge of Brian, and all that he explained about living in the wilderness.
As for the story itself, I think of this like a combination of The Hatchet and The River. Brian sets off to visit a trapper family he met in Brian’s Winter. He flies out the first leg, but the second leg he gets out his canoe and paddles the rest of the way.
The entire book is simply as I’ve stated, although there is a climax at the end of the story, like most books usually do.
Overall, a good continuation to the series. I might be a little too old for these books, but I really do think young readers will enjoy them.
December 11, 2018
This was much much better than 'the River' the #2 in the series. I didn't mean too, but I skipped Brian's Winter. Still, this ended up being a nice read.
I like the idea 'the woods get into you'. I think Brian is very hardcore, but I could see how once you live in sync with nature, it would be very difficult to try and live in society and care about stuff. There is an afterward that Gary says many of these experiences that Brian had were things he went through. He lived in the woods for 12 years. He is writing from experience.
What I really enjoyed about this book is there was no gimmick like in 'the River' to get Brian to the woods. Brian was in therapy and I loved that part of the story and then Brian planned on going back to the woods. There isn't the usual drama, but the peace of being in nature and using his considerable skills to survive. The big scene is with a bear.
It's an interesting little book. I appreciate it's quiet and calm. If people loved hatchet and they love the outdoors, then I can see them enjoying this book. I would go from Hatchet to this one and skip The River. I'll read Brian's Winter and decide if that is worthy of the series later. I also like the quick story, in and out. I also enjoyed the Indian that shows up in the story. He is a good character.
I like the idea 'the woods get into you'. I think Brian is very hardcore, but I could see how once you live in sync with nature, it would be very difficult to try and live in society and care about stuff. There is an afterward that Gary says many of these experiences that Brian had were things he went through. He lived in the woods for 12 years. He is writing from experience.
What I really enjoyed about this book is there was no gimmick like in 'the River' to get Brian to the woods. Brian was in therapy and I loved that part of the story and then Brian planned on going back to the woods. There isn't the usual drama, but the peace of being in nature and using his considerable skills to survive. The big scene is with a bear.
It's an interesting little book. I appreciate it's quiet and calm. If people loved hatchet and they love the outdoors, then I can see them enjoying this book. I would go from Hatchet to this one and skip The River. I'll read Brian's Winter and decide if that is worthy of the series later. I also like the quick story, in and out. I also enjoyed the Indian that shows up in the story. He is a good character.
March 21, 2014
In the book Brian's Return there is one main character who is Brian. Brian hasn't felt the same sense he came back from the woods everything is different part of him was left back in the woods and he is going to return back retrieve it. At school Brian doesn't feel right Brian is a junior in high school many people think he is weird because he acts different. Brian has some enemy's in school one is a big football player who gets in a fight with Brian which Brian beat him up in self defense. Brian has to see a councilor for doing that which tells him he needs to return to the woods because that is were he belongs. Brian does end up returning to the woods he is very prepared this time on like last time. Brian doesn't not plan on returning he feels like the woods is were he belongs and that is were he stays. During the book Brian is going to return to were he lived when he got in the plane crash. It is quite a trip for him he enjoyed every bit of it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is ages 12-17 they would really enjoy this book if they like the outdoors. The book is very easy to understand and you can imagine all of the things he tells in the book Brian's return. The book is very easy to fallow along to and is very understandable so if you are not a strong reader like me this book will be perfect for you.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is ages 12-17 they would really enjoy this book if they like the outdoors. The book is very easy to understand and you can imagine all of the things he tells in the book Brian's return. The book is very easy to fallow along to and is very understandable so if you are not a strong reader like me this book will be perfect for you.
February 23, 2020
Again a good sequel in this series. I only wished it had some more mystery or drama in it, like maybe more about that Billy guy he met. Or maybe an end to the story at the end. However, I really enjoyed it. Brain really started to grow on me.
July 25, 2025
Brian's camping trip
Brian's Return is book 4 of Brian's Saga, by Gary Paulsen. As the story begins Brian is living at home with his mother again. (For those who have become a little confused about the timeline, here is how I think we're supposed to understand it. The first 53 days of Hatchet occurred as recounted in that book. However, subsequent events are as described in Brian's Winter -- Brian was not rescued on day 54, but spent the winter in the wilderness, until he stumbled on a family of Cree trappers, the Smallhorns, who hooked him up with a pilot who got him out. Then the events of The River happened mostly as described. The most visible consequence of The River is that Brian now has the kevlar canoe that Derek gave him in gratitude for his rescue.)
So, Brian is back in civilization and high school. Alas, Brian has been ruined for the modern world. He can't bear the noise, the constant activity, and can't bring himself to care about the things a person living in the modern world needs to care about. A dramatic event, which I will not spoil, makes it evident that Brian needs to get out -- back to the woods.
A friend suggests that Brian visit the Smallhorns. Brian now becomes acquisitive -- he starts buying camping gear. In addition to the canoe he already owns, he buys a tent, a bow and arrows, and various other survival gear. We thus have a chapter that is almost entirely about Brian's shopping for camping gear. He calls it the List. Well, you all know how that works, Once you've gone shopping and bought a bunch of goodies, you can't resist the urge to use them. Thus Brian returns to the wilderness with all this cool new gear.
Stuff happens. I don't want to spoil the story, so I'll leave it at that.
I found Brian's Return disappointing because it all felt too ordinary. It felt like Brian went shopping, then took a vacation to go camping, the way any ordinary person might. Now, obviously, Brian's version of a camping trip is extreme. It involves what most of us would call great danger and hardship. At this point, however, you have read three books about Brian living rough in the woods with nothing. With a canoe and a couple backpacks full of the highest quality gear, you KNOW he can hack it. The stakes just never feel high enough to matter.
The book ends with an Author's Note that makes it clear that Brian is, to a very large extent, modelled on Gary Paulsen himself. He begins the Note with these words, "This is the final book about Brian, ..." which, since Brian's Hunt exists, is clearly not literally true. Change of plans? I'm looking forward to reading it.
Blog review.
Brian's Return is book 4 of Brian's Saga, by Gary Paulsen. As the story begins Brian is living at home with his mother again. (For those who have become a little confused about the timeline, here is how I think we're supposed to understand it. The first 53 days of Hatchet occurred as recounted in that book. However, subsequent events are as described in Brian's Winter -- Brian was not rescued on day 54, but spent the winter in the wilderness, until he stumbled on a family of Cree trappers, the Smallhorns, who hooked him up with a pilot who got him out. Then the events of The River happened mostly as described. The most visible consequence of The River is that Brian now has the kevlar canoe that Derek gave him in gratitude for his rescue.)
So, Brian is back in civilization and high school. Alas, Brian has been ruined for the modern world. He can't bear the noise, the constant activity, and can't bring himself to care about the things a person living in the modern world needs to care about. A dramatic event, which I will not spoil, makes it evident that Brian needs to get out -- back to the woods.
A friend suggests that Brian visit the Smallhorns. Brian now becomes acquisitive -- he starts buying camping gear. In addition to the canoe he already owns, he buys a tent, a bow and arrows, and various other survival gear. We thus have a chapter that is almost entirely about Brian's shopping for camping gear. He calls it the List. Well, you all know how that works, Once you've gone shopping and bought a bunch of goodies, you can't resist the urge to use them. Thus Brian returns to the wilderness with all this cool new gear.
Stuff happens. I don't want to spoil the story, so I'll leave it at that.
I found Brian's Return disappointing because it all felt too ordinary. It felt like Brian went shopping, then took a vacation to go camping, the way any ordinary person might. Now, obviously, Brian's version of a camping trip is extreme. It involves what most of us would call great danger and hardship. At this point, however, you have read three books about Brian living rough in the woods with nothing. With a canoe and a couple backpacks full of the highest quality gear, you KNOW he can hack it. The stakes just never feel high enough to matter.
The book ends with an Author's Note that makes it clear that Brian is, to a very large extent, modelled on Gary Paulsen himself. He begins the Note with these words, "This is the final book about Brian, ..." which, since Brian's Hunt exists, is clearly not literally true. Change of plans? I'm looking forward to reading it.
Blog review.
November 2, 2017
Short book but, like the rest of the books, ENTERTAINING AND AMAZING!
October 7, 2014
I just finished reading "Brian's Return" by Gary Paulsen, I thought that the book was excellent, I could picture the experiences of the book in my head, like how he describes how the trees moved or the sunsets over the lake. When Brian decided to go back, I thought he was crazy, but then when he is there and makes the choice to never leave and live the rest of his life there, it blew my mind that after all that Brian went through, he would want to stay there.
The main character of the book, Brian, is an outgoing young kid who went through horrible things that no one should ever have to go through. Brian was stranded in the Northern woods alone fighting for his life and goes back because he feels he no longer fits into the world he used to know and love. Caleb is a former cop who was blinded and then became a therapist for troubled kids. He was Brian's therapist and was also the one who gave him the idea to go back to the woods to help him find himself.
The beginning of the book takes place in a modern day city where Brian lives with his family and talks about everyday struggles that teenage kids go through these days. The second part of the books takes place in the woods where Brian feels more at home than any other place in the world.
I feel the author's purpose in writing this book is to show that everyone is different in their own way and that everyone is special and unique. No matter how much it goes against the flow, do it anyway to find yourself and who you are. Make your own path and show everyone what you are capable of.
I thought this was an amazing book. I would recommend this book to anyone. Everyone can relate to this book in some way. I rate this book five out of five stars.
The main character of the book, Brian, is an outgoing young kid who went through horrible things that no one should ever have to go through. Brian was stranded in the Northern woods alone fighting for his life and goes back because he feels he no longer fits into the world he used to know and love. Caleb is a former cop who was blinded and then became a therapist for troubled kids. He was Brian's therapist and was also the one who gave him the idea to go back to the woods to help him find himself.
The beginning of the book takes place in a modern day city where Brian lives with his family and talks about everyday struggles that teenage kids go through these days. The second part of the books takes place in the woods where Brian feels more at home than any other place in the world.
I feel the author's purpose in writing this book is to show that everyone is different in their own way and that everyone is special and unique. No matter how much it goes against the flow, do it anyway to find yourself and who you are. Make your own path and show everyone what you are capable of.
I thought this was an amazing book. I would recommend this book to anyone. Everyone can relate to this book in some way. I rate this book five out of five stars.
May 25, 2021
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will appear on my site on May 27, 2021.
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As a part of May’s prompt for #Diverseathon2021 I am continuing the Brian’s Saga series by Gary Paulsen. In Brian’s Return, Brian realizes he cannot live the way he used to. Provoked by another student over a girl, Brian severely beats another boy, but in Brian’s mind he was being attacked and he was defending himself. After talking with a counselor, Brian decides to return to the Canadian wilderness, though more prepared (a tent and some more items) than when he crash landed. Brian is more at home in the wilderness and yes he faces the perils of outdoor living again. But at the end he is at home and peace in the wilderness.
I don’t know what it was about Brian’s Return, but it just wasn’t really for me once he got back into the wild, Maybe it was a ‘been there, done that’ scenario since I listened to the other three novels back to back. Brian’s Return was meant to be the final book in the series and you can tell by the ending of the book as there is a conclusion. But there was so much reader feedback that Paulsen wrote one more book: Brian’s Hunt.
At times while listening to the audiobook I was confused because Paulsen kept referencing Brian surviving in the winter, but that book was a ‘what if’ scenario and not what actually happened to Brian as he was rescued before winter came in Hatchet.
Peter Coyote was back as the narrator for the audiobook version; I was happy about that as he definitely has that story telling voice.
~~~~
This review will appear on my site on May 27, 2021.
~~~~
As a part of May’s prompt for #Diverseathon2021 I am continuing the Brian’s Saga series by Gary Paulsen. In Brian’s Return, Brian realizes he cannot live the way he used to. Provoked by another student over a girl, Brian severely beats another boy, but in Brian’s mind he was being attacked and he was defending himself. After talking with a counselor, Brian decides to return to the Canadian wilderness, though more prepared (a tent and some more items) than when he crash landed. Brian is more at home in the wilderness and yes he faces the perils of outdoor living again. But at the end he is at home and peace in the wilderness.
I don’t know what it was about Brian’s Return, but it just wasn’t really for me once he got back into the wild, Maybe it was a ‘been there, done that’ scenario since I listened to the other three novels back to back. Brian’s Return was meant to be the final book in the series and you can tell by the ending of the book as there is a conclusion. But there was so much reader feedback that Paulsen wrote one more book: Brian’s Hunt.
At times while listening to the audiobook I was confused because Paulsen kept referencing Brian surviving in the winter, but that book was a ‘what if’ scenario and not what actually happened to Brian as he was rescued before winter came in Hatchet.
Peter Coyote was back as the narrator for the audiobook version; I was happy about that as he definitely has that story telling voice.
November 2, 2012
I liked reading this book a lot because I enjoy the outdoors like Brian. Brian Robenson survived living on his own when his plane crashed in the book "Hatchet", when Brian goes back home and realizes civilazation doesn't really fit who he is. Brian talks to his school counselor and lets out how he is feeling, the counselor enjoys listening to Brian talk and tells stories when and how he survived being in the wilderness the first time. Brian wants to return back to the wilderness. Brian wants to get back in the woods to discover who he really is and were he truely belongs.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about the outdoors or being outside. I wouldn't recommend this book to a person who wants a really long book with a different variety of outdoor activities and surviving skills. I would recommend Hatchet or Brian's Return.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about the outdoors or being outside. I wouldn't recommend this book to a person who wants a really long book with a different variety of outdoor activities and surviving skills. I would recommend Hatchet or Brian's Return.
September 9, 2024
I think that much of what makes Brian Robeson such a compelling figure is the way that his character reflects the life and philosophy of author Gary Paulsen. Brian is an intensely autobiographical creation, and the spirit of personal independence and craving for nothing more than to just be a part of the wilderness—a craving that had its origin in the first book of his adventures, Hatchet—is clearly the heartfelt desire of Gary Paulsen played out on the page, in a situation that he has imagined into being so that he can vicariously live out his own dreams of life in the wild through Brian's unique odyssey.
From what I can tell, Brian's Return is a sequel to the storyline as it runs through The River, rather than through the alternate sequel, Brian's Winter. It's not easy to tell for sure, but references in Brian's Return indicate that Brian had returned once before to the wilderness spot where it had all started with his plane crash, rather than that he had spent the winter out there alone and had learned to survive the experience of the ungodly cold, as was the case in Brian's Winter. Then again, maybe there's a way to reconcile the story so that the reader can choose to go with either sequel as the basis for Brian's Return. Is it possible that the events recorded in Brian's Winter could have actually occurred before those of The River, so that the first sequel could be brought into accord with either original storyline? Readers who have gone through all of the books about Brian will wonder about these things, and there's a lot of information to pay attention to in order to be able to mentally set it all right.
It's just not always easy to readjust to regular life after a shakeup like the one that hit Brian when the small plane he was in crashed and he became stranded on his own in the woods for so many weeks, with nothing to help him survive but a rudimentary hatchet and his own wits. Brian is back home, now, but though he has left the woods behind, the woods haven't returned the favor; he has been changed by the harrowing trials of his ordeal into a different person, and trying to get along in the "real world" as if nothing essential has changed proves to be an impossibility. After crossing a line with a violent act (albeit in self-defense) against a high school peer, Brian goes to see a counselor to help him decide what his next move should be. Caleb, a tall man built like a linebacker but with the thoughtful consideration of a philosopher, coaxes Brian to speak about what it was like living by himself in the wilderness. Having gone blind due to a freak illness several years back, Caleb can imagine the glorious outdoor settings that Brian describes with a rich intensity that eludes most other people, and the incredible tales that Brian tells open a window through which Caleb can once again experience the visual majesty of the world around himself. Caleb soon realizes that there's nothing wrong with Brian; he simply needs the wilderness, and there's nothing that can be done to take that desire out of him now that he's experienced its wonder and lived to want more of it.
With the encouragement and support of Caleb, Brian convinces his mother to let him go back again to the place where he feels he first came to understand his own soul, and live there indefinitely. The trip is not an impromptu one this time around, though, and Brian plans and plots carefully to bring along the exact kinds of equipment that he will need to subsist in the wilderness for a long time. He is going back to where it all started, and of his own volition, but this time Brian will have the tools at his disposal to have a realistic shot at dealing with whatever surprises nature has in store for him.
There is an adjustment period even for an experienced woodsman like Brian, but the real test of his ability to reassimilate to the dangerous outdoors will come when he's faced with a threat so raw and unpredictable that his response could never be tested ahead of time. Only if Brian can face down the greatest terrors of nature will he have proven his ability to become part of that nature and rise above its ever-present perils as a hunter, not becoming one of the unfortunate hunted. Will he be able to make it by himself in a world where eat or be eaten reigns as the supreme law of the land?
I sort of found myself wishing that this book were longer, and covered more of what happened after Brian made his decision to return to the wilderness that had so claimed his heart and soul. Brian's Return is a very short book, and leaves off not far into Brian's latest adventure. The story ends before his time back in the wild really has progressed far at all, and I'm sure that it left readers with a strong desire for a fifth book, a desire that would eventually be satiated with the publication of Brian's Hunt. All in all, I think that Brian's Return is a good wilderness adventure story, with even more to offer from a nonfiction standpoint of describing survival techniques and tips than the previous three Brian Robeson novels, and I believe that anyone who enjoyed those first three will definitely want to read this one.
From what I can tell, Brian's Return is a sequel to the storyline as it runs through The River, rather than through the alternate sequel, Brian's Winter. It's not easy to tell for sure, but references in Brian's Return indicate that Brian had returned once before to the wilderness spot where it had all started with his plane crash, rather than that he had spent the winter out there alone and had learned to survive the experience of the ungodly cold, as was the case in Brian's Winter. Then again, maybe there's a way to reconcile the story so that the reader can choose to go with either sequel as the basis for Brian's Return. Is it possible that the events recorded in Brian's Winter could have actually occurred before those of The River, so that the first sequel could be brought into accord with either original storyline? Readers who have gone through all of the books about Brian will wonder about these things, and there's a lot of information to pay attention to in order to be able to mentally set it all right.
It's just not always easy to readjust to regular life after a shakeup like the one that hit Brian when the small plane he was in crashed and he became stranded on his own in the woods for so many weeks, with nothing to help him survive but a rudimentary hatchet and his own wits. Brian is back home, now, but though he has left the woods behind, the woods haven't returned the favor; he has been changed by the harrowing trials of his ordeal into a different person, and trying to get along in the "real world" as if nothing essential has changed proves to be an impossibility. After crossing a line with a violent act (albeit in self-defense) against a high school peer, Brian goes to see a counselor to help him decide what his next move should be. Caleb, a tall man built like a linebacker but with the thoughtful consideration of a philosopher, coaxes Brian to speak about what it was like living by himself in the wilderness. Having gone blind due to a freak illness several years back, Caleb can imagine the glorious outdoor settings that Brian describes with a rich intensity that eludes most other people, and the incredible tales that Brian tells open a window through which Caleb can once again experience the visual majesty of the world around himself. Caleb soon realizes that there's nothing wrong with Brian; he simply needs the wilderness, and there's nothing that can be done to take that desire out of him now that he's experienced its wonder and lived to want more of it.
With the encouragement and support of Caleb, Brian convinces his mother to let him go back again to the place where he feels he first came to understand his own soul, and live there indefinitely. The trip is not an impromptu one this time around, though, and Brian plans and plots carefully to bring along the exact kinds of equipment that he will need to subsist in the wilderness for a long time. He is going back to where it all started, and of his own volition, but this time Brian will have the tools at his disposal to have a realistic shot at dealing with whatever surprises nature has in store for him.
There is an adjustment period even for an experienced woodsman like Brian, but the real test of his ability to reassimilate to the dangerous outdoors will come when he's faced with a threat so raw and unpredictable that his response could never be tested ahead of time. Only if Brian can face down the greatest terrors of nature will he have proven his ability to become part of that nature and rise above its ever-present perils as a hunter, not becoming one of the unfortunate hunted. Will he be able to make it by himself in a world where eat or be eaten reigns as the supreme law of the land?
I sort of found myself wishing that this book were longer, and covered more of what happened after Brian made his decision to return to the wilderness that had so claimed his heart and soul. Brian's Return is a very short book, and leaves off not far into Brian's latest adventure. The story ends before his time back in the wild really has progressed far at all, and I'm sure that it left readers with a strong desire for a fifth book, a desire that would eventually be satiated with the publication of Brian's Hunt. All in all, I think that Brian's Return is a good wilderness adventure story, with even more to offer from a nonfiction standpoint of describing survival techniques and tips than the previous three Brian Robeson novels, and I believe that anyone who enjoyed those first three will definitely want to read this one.
July 15, 2025
Another from the Hatchet Series. Brian’s a bit older and having trouble surviving in the “real world” so he heads back into the Canadian wilderness. He faces new challenges and uses his survival skills to over come them all!
July 19, 2025
Out of all the little spin-off books from Hatchet, this was my least favorite. felt unnecessary? an okay read.
January 23, 2015
I enjoyed "Brian's Return" by Gary Paulsen, because it deals with Brian and his adventures. I am a country boy so I could relate to him. It is basically about a teenage boy who in an earlier book gets stranded in Minnesota and has to fend for himself. It is a continuation of the story about real life events that had happened to the author Gary Paulsen. This book talks about how he overcame his fear of the country. When he was forced to live his life in the wilderness after the plane crash. He goes through a lot to overcome his fear of wilderness living.
Brian is the main character of the story and his personality plays a large part in making the book interesting. Brian has his own way of looking at and examining things that happen to him. For example, he sees a deer in the woods during one of his portages and thinks a deer will lead the way. The deer looks north in the direction that Brian has to go to get to the next lake. Brian really looks into things more then most. He is always preparing for what is going to happen next.
The book takes place in two different areas in the city and the backwoods of Minnesota. In the backwoods time doesn't really matter. For example, it is 12:00 p.m. it is time for lunch, but in the woods you eat when you are hungry not by a clock. Brian explains it well by saying there is day and night and your clock is the sun. He eats when he is hungry and when it is starting to get dark out, he starts to make his camp for the night. In the city it is totally different because you live by time of a clock. Brian also says that it never truly gets dark out like in the woods. There is a steady glow of light in the city. Paulsen really shows and describes to the reader the difference between the dark of the city, to the dark of the woods.
The theme that I found is that your home isn't always the place that you grew up in. Brian found that he was attached to the woods and he loved it there. He found out that being in the woods made him feel right and where he was meant to be living.
I would recommend this book to anybody over the age of 10. If your an outdoor person you would like to read this story. I would really recommend this to anybody that has been in a survival situation. This book is a great book that most anyone would be able to relate to. Both male and female would enjoy it because of the different adventures.
Brian is the main character of the story and his personality plays a large part in making the book interesting. Brian has his own way of looking at and examining things that happen to him. For example, he sees a deer in the woods during one of his portages and thinks a deer will lead the way. The deer looks north in the direction that Brian has to go to get to the next lake. Brian really looks into things more then most. He is always preparing for what is going to happen next.
The book takes place in two different areas in the city and the backwoods of Minnesota. In the backwoods time doesn't really matter. For example, it is 12:00 p.m. it is time for lunch, but in the woods you eat when you are hungry not by a clock. Brian explains it well by saying there is day and night and your clock is the sun. He eats when he is hungry and when it is starting to get dark out, he starts to make his camp for the night. In the city it is totally different because you live by time of a clock. Brian also says that it never truly gets dark out like in the woods. There is a steady glow of light in the city. Paulsen really shows and describes to the reader the difference between the dark of the city, to the dark of the woods.
The theme that I found is that your home isn't always the place that you grew up in. Brian found that he was attached to the woods and he loved it there. He found out that being in the woods made him feel right and where he was meant to be living.
I would recommend this book to anybody over the age of 10. If your an outdoor person you would like to read this story. I would really recommend this to anybody that has been in a survival situation. This book is a great book that most anyone would be able to relate to. Both male and female would enjoy it because of the different adventures.
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June 2, 2014This book is a sequel to the book hatchet. In this book, the main character is brian. recently he was stranded in the woods after a plane crash. in the months he was there he became almost like part of the woods. when he finally came back he didnt like everything how it was back at home. people made him mad and it wasnt the same. he beat up a guy almost just out of instict. he talked to a therapist for a little while,and decided to go back to the woods. thats why its called brians return. Brian, in this book, is a character that i really like, because he kind of reminds me of myself. i love to be outdoors like he does. i love the ending of this book as well. brian is a high school kid i beieve 16 years old, and he finds peace in the outdoors and has a love for being out in the wilderness after what happened. he is a very brave and tough character. As i was reading the book i got very good visualations of where he was and what he was doing. I think Gaary Paulsen did a great job writing this book, and I really do like this book and i enjoyed reading it. I would definately reccomend this book to any outdoorsman or anyone who just loves a good book.
February 26, 2018
This is a good book. I liked it a lot. One of the things I liked the most was the part when Brian talks to Caleb, his therapist. I liked the bond they had with each other. It wasn't like a regular therapist-customer bond, but more like a friend bond.
Most of the book is in the wilderness. Some of it, like the beginning, is in the city. Brian didn't like the city much because it was really loud and there was a lot of people. He wanted to be in a quiet place, and alone. That's what the woods gave him. That's another thing I liked about the book.
Most of the book is in the wilderness. Some of it, like the beginning, is in the city. Brian didn't like the city much because it was really loud and there was a lot of people. He wanted to be in a quiet place, and alone. That's what the woods gave him. That's another thing I liked about the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2022
This fourth book in the series has Brian back at home in the city, but longing to be back in nature and really not fitting in. He manages to convince his counsellor and his mom that he should head back out to the wilderness.
This one was super short, so only about ½ of it was in the wilderness. Which for me is the most interesting part. Also, very unrealistic – to think the adults would let him go back on his own (he was supposed to be meeting up with someone, but how come an adult didn’t accompany him that far?). I did find the author’s note at the end very interesting, though.
This one was super short, so only about ½ of it was in the wilderness. Which for me is the most interesting part. Also, very unrealistic – to think the adults would let him go back on his own (he was supposed to be meeting up with someone, but how come an adult didn’t accompany him that far?). I did find the author’s note at the end very interesting, though.
June 1, 2015
I love the way the author describes the setting. The Descriptions really brought the story "to life." Brian's return is a very compelling story about a boy's itch to be one with nature. I recommend this to anyone who likes adventure.
October 22, 2013
Very good. Gives one insight into the ties we have with nature. The ties that we seem to have lost with it.
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August 16, 2018It is safe to say that the books following Hatchet didn't need to exist.
October 22, 2020
I really am about two seconds away from buying myself a canoe and running off to the bush for the rest of my life, solely because of this series.
4.5/5 stars
4.5/5 stars
January 23, 2022
I like this ending of Brain's journey.
November 27, 2023
Very, very VERY slow, with no climax at the conclusion, but I think that is the point of this book.
It was quiet, though had a few moments of action. Slow to the point of almost boring, but I think if we find it boring, that might just show us how “City” we are compared to “Wild” we are.
I loved the character of Caleb. He spoke to me. I like how Brian was so cynical about Caleb and then how when he got to know him, his assumptions left, he saw the real person. A useful lesson to us all. Leave your assumptions at the door and see people for who they are, not who you imagine, or want them, to be.
I was going to go lower with the stars, but Caleb pushed it from 3.5 to 4 stars.
4, this is SLOW but maybe we need to move a bit slower in today’s crazy world, stars.
It was quiet, though had a few moments of action. Slow to the point of almost boring, but I think if we find it boring, that might just show us how “City” we are compared to “Wild” we are.
I loved the character of Caleb. He spoke to me. I like how Brian was so cynical about Caleb and then how when he got to know him, his assumptions left, he saw the real person. A useful lesson to us all. Leave your assumptions at the door and see people for who they are, not who you imagine, or want them, to be.
I was going to go lower with the stars, but Caleb pushed it from 3.5 to 4 stars.
4, this is SLOW but maybe we need to move a bit slower in today’s crazy world, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2025
Very solid book. By far the best in the series. Packed a lot of emotion and told a story way beyond just a boy surviving in the woods.
January 21, 2016
Personal response: I read the book Brian’s Return by Gary Paulsen. I thought it was a very great and interesting book, because it involved wildlife and nature; two things I enjoy. Brian realized that life outside of the woods wasn’t for him. After many failed attempts at trying to live in the city he decided he was better off living in the wild where he belongs. After many counseling sessions with Caleb, Brian decided to make a list of all of the items he needed to be prepared to move back to the wild. I thought Brian was really brave for only being a sixteen years old boy going to live in the wild, and this is his story.
Plot: Brian decided after a year of living in normal civilization that city life wasn’t for him. He got in a fight at a dinner. He realized he wasn't fighting for the same reason the other guy was fighting for. Brian felt he was fighting for life or death like he would be in the wild. The cops took Brian down to the station and that was the reason why he had to get scheduled therapy sessions with Caleb. At first Brian wasn't sure what to think of the meetings with Caleb and then he warmed up to him and started telling him everything. Everyday when Brian went to Caleb's he had tea. Brian had grown accustomed to it and added it to his list to bring into the wilderness. Brian noticed that even though Caleb was blind, he still felt and noticed things in a different way and was more understanding. Brian liked this because he could tell him all about the wilderness and Caleb would listen to all of the details very carefully. Brian was very meticulous when he came up with the items he needed to bring back with him to the wilderness. Those items were: a 26 inch 45 lb bow with four extra strings, 50 ma3 broad heads, hooks and line for fishing, a sleeping bag, a tent, two pots (one big and one medium), clothes for fall and winter, good boots, moccasins, 100 ports orford cedar shafts, tea and sugar cubes, a canoe, 25 lb bag of rice, some Shakespeare novels, a hatchet, and a book with blank pages to write Caleb every day. After he got his list together Brian contacted the pilot that got him out of the wilderness the first time. Brian then scheduled a flight to the wilderness. The pilot could only get him so far into the bush. Brian would have to do the rest by canoe. After all the goodbyes were said Brian started to make the journey with the pilot and two older fishermen up north. On the way up there Brian asked the two fishermen what they were up there for and they said for muskie fishing. He asked them if they had ever caught anything up there and they said “ it's not about catching fish, but the journey to catch the fish.” Those words really sunk into Brian and it really made sense now that he was doing the right thing.
Characterization: There were only two main characters in the story and they was Brian and Caleb. Brian was the main character in the story he was the one that went and lived out in the wilderness as an outdoors man instead of a normal 16 years old boy. Caleb was a retired ex cop that got injured on duty and lost his sight. Now to do his part in society, he counseled victims and the criminals.
Setting: It first took place in an urban community in Minnesota. After Minnesota it took place in the bush of Canada, that's where Brian lived. It took place in late spring of June 3rd when Brian made his return back to the wilderness.
Thematic Connection: The overall theme of this book is bravery. Brian was trying to find his way back to the wilderness by himself. All of his therapy sessions with Caleb got him closer to this overall goal. The wilderness was where he sees his home and it's like he was trying to find his way back home. All of the events in the book make Brian believe he needs to go back home to where he was happy. He wasn’t happy living in the city and wanted to go back to the wilderness, but wanted some sign that he was doing the right thing. His fight in the diner is one of the signs he was looking for. It proved to him that he wasn’t cut out for city life and should be living back in the wilderness where he belonged. Brian tried and succeeded in being brave throughout the story.
Audience: I would recommend the book for grades 5th through senior. There are some things you need to understand that younger kids wouldn't understand like the problems Brian was faced with in Minnesota. Gender doesn't matter as long as they like the outdoors.
Plot: Brian decided after a year of living in normal civilization that city life wasn’t for him. He got in a fight at a dinner. He realized he wasn't fighting for the same reason the other guy was fighting for. Brian felt he was fighting for life or death like he would be in the wild. The cops took Brian down to the station and that was the reason why he had to get scheduled therapy sessions with Caleb. At first Brian wasn't sure what to think of the meetings with Caleb and then he warmed up to him and started telling him everything. Everyday when Brian went to Caleb's he had tea. Brian had grown accustomed to it and added it to his list to bring into the wilderness. Brian noticed that even though Caleb was blind, he still felt and noticed things in a different way and was more understanding. Brian liked this because he could tell him all about the wilderness and Caleb would listen to all of the details very carefully. Brian was very meticulous when he came up with the items he needed to bring back with him to the wilderness. Those items were: a 26 inch 45 lb bow with four extra strings, 50 ma3 broad heads, hooks and line for fishing, a sleeping bag, a tent, two pots (one big and one medium), clothes for fall and winter, good boots, moccasins, 100 ports orford cedar shafts, tea and sugar cubes, a canoe, 25 lb bag of rice, some Shakespeare novels, a hatchet, and a book with blank pages to write Caleb every day. After he got his list together Brian contacted the pilot that got him out of the wilderness the first time. Brian then scheduled a flight to the wilderness. The pilot could only get him so far into the bush. Brian would have to do the rest by canoe. After all the goodbyes were said Brian started to make the journey with the pilot and two older fishermen up north. On the way up there Brian asked the two fishermen what they were up there for and they said for muskie fishing. He asked them if they had ever caught anything up there and they said “ it's not about catching fish, but the journey to catch the fish.” Those words really sunk into Brian and it really made sense now that he was doing the right thing.
Characterization: There were only two main characters in the story and they was Brian and Caleb. Brian was the main character in the story he was the one that went and lived out in the wilderness as an outdoors man instead of a normal 16 years old boy. Caleb was a retired ex cop that got injured on duty and lost his sight. Now to do his part in society, he counseled victims and the criminals.
Setting: It first took place in an urban community in Minnesota. After Minnesota it took place in the bush of Canada, that's where Brian lived. It took place in late spring of June 3rd when Brian made his return back to the wilderness.
Thematic Connection: The overall theme of this book is bravery. Brian was trying to find his way back to the wilderness by himself. All of his therapy sessions with Caleb got him closer to this overall goal. The wilderness was where he sees his home and it's like he was trying to find his way back home. All of the events in the book make Brian believe he needs to go back home to where he was happy. He wasn’t happy living in the city and wanted to go back to the wilderness, but wanted some sign that he was doing the right thing. His fight in the diner is one of the signs he was looking for. It proved to him that he wasn’t cut out for city life and should be living back in the wilderness where he belonged. Brian tried and succeeded in being brave throughout the story.
Audience: I would recommend the book for grades 5th through senior. There are some things you need to understand that younger kids wouldn't understand like the problems Brian was faced with in Minnesota. Gender doesn't matter as long as they like the outdoors.
January 11, 2017
Personal Response: I read the book Brian’s Return by Gary Paulsen. I really enjoyed reading this book. The author created a plethora of imagery, and I could feel like I was in the book. The book was not predictable at all, and those types of books appeal to me.
Plot: This book was about a boy who loved living in nature. He once got stranded in the woods and survived, and ever since that happened he has wanted to go back. He was having problems with this and it actually caused him to have withdrawals. His mother set him up to go to a counselor. The counselor he visited was blind. He had Brian tell him all the stories and adventures he went on. The way Brian told theses stories, his counselor knew that Brian had to go back into the woods. His counselor told him and his mother that he needed to go back and experience this again. He said that there was a camp up north that Brian could go to. Brian was all for that idea and was more than happy to go. Brian wanted the thrill of the wild and that is what he was going to get. On his plane ride, he told the pilot to land a couple miles from the camp. Brian would have to go through woods and follow the river to get to the camp. When Brian finally landed he was fully prepared. He had everything he was supposed to have with him. He had knives, arrows, food and much more. The second night Brian was there, a very bad storm hit. He was sleeping and heard a loud crash and realized his canoe fell down. When he went and got his canoe, he slipped and fell. He also got a cut in his knee, but it was not as serious as he thought. After he got his canoe back up, he went back to sleep and waited to pick up his other supplies in the morning. He woke up, picked up his things, and he was on his way to the camp. He sat down and relaxed a couple miles away from where he was supposed to be. He went to sleep and when he woke up the next morning he saw a deer. He was going to shoot it, but realized much of the meat would be wasted. He ended up not shooting the deer and letting it go. He then realized that there was smoke coming from somewhere. He knew it could not be a fire since it just rained, so he wondered what it was. He went to check it out and realized it was an old man. Brian asked who he was, but the man never answered. The man asked him to stay for the night, and Brian agreed. They had soup together and Brian told him about that deer he saw. The old man said that that was his spirit animal, and that was what was going to guide him. Brian listened to the old man, and then went to bed. When Brian woke up the next morning, the old man was nowhere to be found. Brian continued on his journey and made it to the base safely. He stayed there for a while and had a good time. He went back home and told his counselor all about his trip. His counselor was ecstatic to hear all the stories Brian told him. Going on this trip helped Brian a lot, and his mother noticed. Brian was more relaxed and he calmed down for a while until he has to go back.
Characterization: Brian was a boy who just loved nature. He had problems living without nature after he was stranded in a forest for months. Brian had withdrawals from living in that woods for so long, so he started acting differently. Since Brian returned, he was shy and quiet. He did not want anyone to talk to him, and did not want to hang out with his friends. He was a kid of nature, and that's all he wanted.
Impact of Setting: The setting of this book was mainly in two places. The first one was in a present day suburban neighborhood. It was quiet and nothing much happened. This is kind of important because Brian had nothing to do. That could have been a reason why he was feeling the way he was feeling. The other place this book took place was in a forest. This was where a majority of the book took place, and was important to the plot of the book. In this forest, there were many animals and plants to eat. It was cold at nights and warm during the days. Brian survived 54 days in the wild before, and this time he was not going to be there as long. This meant he did not need to use the forest as much to survive.
Recommendation: I would recommend the book to teenage males. They could relate to this book, because the main character is a teenage male. There are a few tricky words to read but nothing major. I believe that it is suitable for teenagers.
May 26, 2025
I actually finished this a few days ago and was so underwhelmed I forgot to write a review. Apparently the actual ending to Hatchet is no longer canon and Brian's Winter, advertised as the what-if scenario is actually canon? Cause Brian apparently can't function in real society anymore and his therapist encourages him to lie to his parents and go live in the wild again. And he does. The end.
March 5, 2019
Brian's Return By Gary Paulson is an adventure about Brian returning back to the woods and feeling at peace. Brian has changed ever since he has been at the woods. School has not been for him and he was bullied by a kid at his school and they got into a fight and now that he is bake in to woods and finally feels at peace. My favorite part is when he comes across a man who lives out there and is very peaceful and relaxed and Brian feels like he knows him.I would recommend this book to people who like the woods and adventure and the woods.I would rate this book a 7 because I wish that the book was longer
December 1, 2015
Personal Response: This book was an excellent book to wind down the series. I enjoyed reading this book because it made me realize how attached you can become to something. There comes a time where you have to let go and sometimes you just cant. This book kept me reading until I fell asleep some nights. I read it really fast because I wanted to know what Brian would do next. I would like to meet Gary Paulsen someday and ask him questions about how he survived in the wilderness.
Plot:Brian's Return is an exciting book about a boy named Brian and his journey of coming back from the wilderness to civilization. Brian is struggling to fit in with the normal crowd of his society. He is trying to fit in with his old friends but he doesn't succeed. He wanted to be back in the wilderness because that was where he needed to be. He called it is home and he wanted to go back. Brian couldn't socialize with anyone because he wasn't used to it. He was used to not talking to anyone but the birds and the trees. He got him self into a scuffle at the ice cream parlor. He met a football player at the door with the girl that the football player liked. The football player opened the door fast and had knocked down the girl. Brian had went into survival mode and protected the girl by beating the football player senseless. Brian was off the hook and was sent to a councilor. The councilor was blind and Brian had talked to him everyday about the woods. One day they both decided it was time Brian went back to the wilderness to live again. Brian then started ordering his survival gear. His mom had known he was planning to go back to the bush and she didn't like it. Brian had it all planned out and he went on his way to Williams Lake. Where he was planning to visit the Smallhorns. He wasn't going to change his mind and went through with the plan. He was dropped off three hundred miles from Williams Lake. He then traveled by canoe all the rest of the way with many adventures and sights along the way. Brian was home at last.
Characterization: Brian was about nineteen years old in this book. He had become a tough man who could survive anything. Brian was a very talented man who could tell you anything about the woods at any given time. He has had many experiences with the wild and could survive out there for the rest of his life he wanted to. Brian could no longer live in civilization for he would go insane. He was a boy that was born to live in the wild.
Impacts of Setting: Brian came back to the city when he was in his thirties. After some research I did I found that he lived in the wilderness in the nineteen seventies and the nineteen eighties. Gary did not name a specific city where he lived. He was struggling to fit in and he was going crazy. Brian needed to be in the wilderness. He couldn't control himself in the city. He felt like he was in a jail cell. Brian finally decided to go back to the vast wilderness of Canada.
Recommendation/Audience: I would recommend this book to any guy over the age of ten. It is a book with a great story line and back round from the previous books in this series. It made me want to keep reading until I was finished. It is about survival in both civilization and the wilderness. It is filled with wonder and the need to know more. This book is definitely a great read.
Plot:Brian's Return is an exciting book about a boy named Brian and his journey of coming back from the wilderness to civilization. Brian is struggling to fit in with the normal crowd of his society. He is trying to fit in with his old friends but he doesn't succeed. He wanted to be back in the wilderness because that was where he needed to be. He called it is home and he wanted to go back. Brian couldn't socialize with anyone because he wasn't used to it. He was used to not talking to anyone but the birds and the trees. He got him self into a scuffle at the ice cream parlor. He met a football player at the door with the girl that the football player liked. The football player opened the door fast and had knocked down the girl. Brian had went into survival mode and protected the girl by beating the football player senseless. Brian was off the hook and was sent to a councilor. The councilor was blind and Brian had talked to him everyday about the woods. One day they both decided it was time Brian went back to the wilderness to live again. Brian then started ordering his survival gear. His mom had known he was planning to go back to the bush and she didn't like it. Brian had it all planned out and he went on his way to Williams Lake. Where he was planning to visit the Smallhorns. He wasn't going to change his mind and went through with the plan. He was dropped off three hundred miles from Williams Lake. He then traveled by canoe all the rest of the way with many adventures and sights along the way. Brian was home at last.
Characterization: Brian was about nineteen years old in this book. He had become a tough man who could survive anything. Brian was a very talented man who could tell you anything about the woods at any given time. He has had many experiences with the wild and could survive out there for the rest of his life he wanted to. Brian could no longer live in civilization for he would go insane. He was a boy that was born to live in the wild.
Impacts of Setting: Brian came back to the city when he was in his thirties. After some research I did I found that he lived in the wilderness in the nineteen seventies and the nineteen eighties. Gary did not name a specific city where he lived. He was struggling to fit in and he was going crazy. Brian needed to be in the wilderness. He couldn't control himself in the city. He felt like he was in a jail cell. Brian finally decided to go back to the vast wilderness of Canada.
Recommendation/Audience: I would recommend this book to any guy over the age of ten. It is a book with a great story line and back round from the previous books in this series. It made me want to keep reading until I was finished. It is about survival in both civilization and the wilderness. It is filled with wonder and the need to know more. This book is definitely a great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2018
3 + Quick read! Although my first Brian novel, I enjoyed it and want to read some of the earlier novels.
This was supposed to be the last in the Brian saga, however the fans cried "More - More" so there is one more novel [Book: Brian’s Hunt] which I have just put on my “TBR” list.
Brian's story was an enjoyable about his survival after a plane crash. ( This story was especially pleasurable after listening to “Lethal White”.)
This was supposed to be the last in the Brian saga, however the fans cried "More - More" so there is one more novel [Book: Brian’s Hunt] which I have just put on my “TBR” list.
Brian's story was an enjoyable about his survival after a plane crash. ( This story was especially pleasurable after listening to “Lethal White”.)
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