Customer Reviews

Soul Catcher

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't lend this book, because I don't want to take a chance on losing it.

In all his writings, Frank Herbert had a way of getting to the core of ideas of the spirit. In "Soul Catcher" he managed to convey the meaning underlying the actions of Charles Hobuhet in such a way that I was able to set aside my cultural preconceptions. Even though I wanted Hobuhet to free the captured boy, I began to accept where his spirit world was leading him. I've read very few authors who could accomplish what Herbert did in this small novel.

A mark of a good book is when it haunts you for years with flashes of memory. This one does.

This is one of those books that will stay with you a long time. When I finished it I just lay there in bed thinking about it. I loved it..... I hated it.... I loved it... it's just one of those books. It was easy to see why the copy I loaned from the library still had a big sticker across the front labeling it a "BANNED BOOK".

The narrative deals with Charles Hobuhet, a hurt, sensitive and vindictive young native american man and his kidnapping of a young white boy that he intends to sacrifice in reparation for all of the wrongs done against his people. It's also a dark look into the human spirit, and the bond that forms between captor and captive. The ending of this novel will stay with me until the end of my days, and I reccomend it for anyone in search of challenging and meaningful literature.

This small mid-career novel is an interesting read for long-time Herbert fans or for people interested in treatments of Native American mythology in science-fiction/fantasy.

Like many Herbert novels, it features a young central protagonist (David Marshall) who is both threatened and taught by a mentor figure. In this case, his mentor is also his kidnapper-- Charles Hobuhet, a disturbed young Native American who becomes Katsuk (the avenger) after his sister is brutally raped by loggers.

While written with Herbert's usual sensitive feel for character and motivation, Soul Catcher lacks much of the complexity found in other Herbert titles. While in some places the simplicity feels intentional and fable-like, in other places it seems as though the novel were essentially unfinished. Certain aspects of Katsuk and the Marshall family are hinted at and never developed. Herbert's typical trope of scattering external viewpoints (newspaper clippings, past writings of the characters) throughout the book is present, but erratically employed and nearly fades out completely by the end.

The very simplicity of the book may make it as appealing for some readers as it may disappoint fans of Herbert's more political offerings (Dune or The White Plague). I would not recommend it as an introduction to his novels. However, it is an interesting digression in his career and contains many of the elements that make his overall body of work so impressive.

HOQUAT - something that floated out far out on the water, something unfamiliar and mysterious.

They came from across the sea, fell in love with the land and took it by all means necessary. From the People, and yet they called themselves people too.

Now in a hoquat state and hoquat society, where but a few of the People remain true to the old ways, a man raises. Charles Hobuhet, imitation white man. But the spirit world knew him as Katsuk, the avenger, balancer of heaven and earth, the center of the universe. He had set out to teach the world a lesson, a one that wouldn't soon be forgotten. All he needed was an Innocent, one David Marshall, his 13 year old hoquat captive.

Deep, masterfully portrayed characters with the ease only the great ones possess. Intriguing, well paced, immersing a reader in a dark, eery, eye opening glimpses of human soul, spirit and character. Enthralling read, leaving you without the need to understand it all, as you feel it, giving you a chance to surpass the hoquat flaw, of thinking about it with words.

Not a sci-fi book as such, but never the less a great one that reminds if not teaches that: " Science doesn't liberate from the terror of gods."

the story of a indian and a young boy that are totally different but come to love each other, besides where them are in society, it delves into indian spectra of beliefs and the how the white culture has tried to absorb the native american spirit instead of living side by side and the tragity that can result.

I know what you're saying after reading this book. I mean, I've had the same thought. Who wouldn't? Who couldn't help but ask, "Can I have some of what Mr. Herbert was smoking when he wrote this?" Far out!

The story revolves around the kidnapping of a young boy who happens to be the son of a prominent politician. He is kidnapped by a Native American living in the California coastal mountains because the 'Indian' has been given a vision by Bee, his spirit creature. He has to find out whether this boy is worthy of what destiny says the 'Indian' must do. And what is that I hear you asking? Well we can't tell you everything now, can we. But rest assured the ending is well worth the length of the novel itself.

I notice that this book is currently unavailable (out of print). Sad. Such a good story. I've also heard rumor that they might be bringing it back into print...but don't tell anyone. It'll be our little secret, okay?

A fascinating book full of strange magic and human drama. Thebest part about it is that - despite the frequent magical, orapparently magical - acts of a modern-day "crazy Indian" shaman, nothing in the book couldn't happen. Every manifestation of the supernatural is powerful and convincing precisely because it could be merely coincidence that it occurs just at the moment it's needed.

This is a terrific blend of anthropological research (I can't vouch for whether or not the Native American mythology is completely accurate: just very convincing), a powerful statement, and just great storytelling. If you can get it, well worth the trouble!

This book was like a car wreck, in a way, for its allure. I didn't want to finish it because I was afraid of what would happen in the end but I couldn't stop from reading it. It is a beautiful but frightening tale of man's inhumanity to man. Katsuk must do what he has to do and David must follow. David grows as an individual through the "teachings" of Katsuk and learns what it is to be alive. Ultimately a book that I will remember for the rest of my life.

It is truly amazing to read some of Frank Herbert's early work. Soul Catcher is a search of the human soul in a wilderness setting with a Native American twist. It is a great read and keeps you wondering up til the very end...which is VERY shocking I might add. If you enjoy a good fictional human interest story this is a must. Not to mention that it was written by one of the greatest authors to ever grace the pages of the literary community. Try it, you might be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.

I started reading this book not knowing who the author was and what he had created.....a real plus for any serious Reader....who just loves words put together engineering Thoughts....for this novel has become one of "those" that I shall remember.....to find out it was done by the author of "Dune" at journeys end was Amazing...for I DID NOT read it for the pleasure of his genius but rather for the disturbance of it.....