Harpoon of the Hunter [Hardcover]

Markoosie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1981

The story of Kamik, a young hero who comes to manhood while on a treacherous hunt for a wounded polar bear. This tale of people struggling for survival in a brutal environment, describes life in the Canadian Arctic before the arrival of the first white trappers or whalers. Based on an Innuit legend, this is the story of life in the old days, not as it appeared to southerners, but as it has survived in the memory of the Innuit themselves.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A book] for all ages ... the story grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go until the last." Publishers Weekly.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 84 pages
• Publisher: Mcgill Queens Univ Pr; 2nd Print edition (December 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773501029
• ISBN-13: 978-0773501027
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,499,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Grim tale of survival in a harsh environment., January 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Harpoon of the Hunter (Paperback)

While I think this was a good book, I would caution people to read it before choosing it for young children. It is a realistic portrayal of life, and death, in an arctic environment. There are a number of fairly graphic descriptions of people and animals dying and a general attitude of despair. However, it is an authentic piece of Eskimo fiction describing life in the Canadian Arctic before the coming of the white man. I would recommend this book to people who want a more realistic depiction of life than what Disney provides.

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep the harpoon close at hand..., December 4, 2011

By 

Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harpoon of the Hunter (Paperback)

The story starts with a bear. A polar bear that attacks and kills some dogs for no reason. The men decide the bear has to be killed. And so starts the story full of adventure, action, death, and basic survival. A grim ending awaits those who reads it. Or is it a peaceful one? All depends on how you look at it. Not sure young children should read it but it really depends on the parents. If you like this kind of story may I suggest The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat)?

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully written, which older readers may appreciate..., July 29, 2006

By 

Faaria Osmani (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harpoon of the Hunter (Paperback)

I read "Harpoon of the Hunter" for a children's literature class, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It's not a book that I would recommend to younger readers- not only because it really communicates in a strong, vivid manner the harshness and danger of Kamik's world, but also because there's a complexity to the way it deals with the themes of struggle and survival. The ending especially invites meaningful discussion, something that older readers may find more interesting. Mostly, however, the real treasure about the book, and what ultimately makes it satisfying, is how it is written. Plain, bare, simple words and style are appropriately chosen to convey the harsh, elemental nature of Kamik's struggle and world. In this way, Markoosie has written a book rich in atmosphere.