The River (Gary Paulsen novel)

Infobox Book |
name = The River
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Gary Paulsen
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series = Brian's Saga
genre = Novel
publisher = Bradbury Press
release_date = 1991
media_type = Print (Hardcover and Paperback)
pages =
isbn =
preceded_by = Hatchet/Brian's Winter
followed_by = Brian's Return

"The River" (also known as "The Return"ref|name and "Hatchet: The Return"ref|name) is a 1991 young adult novel by Gary Paulsen. It takes place two years after the book "Hatchet".

Plot summary

Brian Robeson spent several months surviving alone in the Canadian wilderness after a plane accident. Now the government has asked him to do it again: live in the woods with no tools, surviving only by his wits, so the military can learn his survival techniques.

Though reluctant at first, Brian eventually agrees. Accompanied by a government psychologist named Derek Holtzer, the two set off for a remote Canadian location. Though the government insisted they take emergency supplies, Brian insists they abandon everything but a pocket knife and an emergency radio, saying that it would be impossible to eat bugs and sleep in the rain if a tent and prepared food is within reach.

Things take a grim turn when their camp is struck by lightning, which knocks Derek into a coma and destroys the radio. Knowing that Derek will die of dehydration long before anyone finds them, Brian must bring him back to civilization. He makes a raft, in a desperate bid to bring Derek down the river to medical help.

References

# cite web
author = FantasticFiction
url = http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/p/gary-paulsen/return.htm
title = The Return
publisher =
date = February 6, 2008