The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge

Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold The 2002 novel, The Revenant, written by Michael Punke, is a captivating story of survival and revenge. Throughout the book, the main character, Glass, is seen pushing the limits of survival while trying to get revenge for his stolen gun and cruel abandonment by fellow trappers. Glass’ animosity toward his betrayers fuels his survival through a remarkable set of misfortunes. The third person omniscient point of view allows the reader to follow his survival through the perspective of several compelling characters. Hugh Glass was a first-born son to a comfortable bricklayer in Philadelphia. Having discovered a passion for geography, Glass joins the Rawsthorne & Sons frigate to satisfy his desire to see the world. After a decade, Glass decides to make his way back to his family and finds himself in a bit of a predicament; vicious pirates have boarded his ship home. Having the option of working for them or death, Glass chose the former. His working imprisonment by the pirates lasts a couple years before Glass is able to escape. After an arduous journey, Glass finds himself in St. Louis, now employed by the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, about to embark on an expedition led by one Captain Harry. It’s now around 1823 and Glass is traveling with the Company through South Dakota. While out on a hunting trip, Glass is viciously mauled by a bear with no expectation of survival. The reader learns that the team’s self-appointed, makeshift doctor “… had never seen human carnage like this, fresh in the wake of attack” (Punke 26). Captain Harry realizes that the company could continue no further with this man who appears to be headed straight for death’s door. With a forty-dollar reward promised, two men were dispatched to stay behind with Glass until he died to give him a proper burial. The duo decide the threat of staying (from Native American attack) is greater than their moral obligation to the dying man and decide to leave Glass to die alone. Believing that Glass won’t survive, the two men strip him of his useful possessions and leave, the only explanation being “’Sorry, old Glass. You ain’t got much more use for any of this’” (61). Having lost his precious gun and his dignity, Glass is driven to survive for one reason, and one reason only: revenge. The writing style of The Revenant only enhances the quality of the book. The novel is written in third person omniscient with the primary focus on the main character, Glass. The shifts in narrative focus to Glass’ antagonists offer interesting contrasts to Glass’ obsessive quest for revenge. Additionally, the novel is proceeds at a good pace. It’s fast enough that you don’t have to worry about sitting through any slow parts, while having enough detail and description to make sure you aren’t missing or misunderstanding anything. There is only one part of the book which is a bit difficult to get through. The bear attack was written in such gory detail that making your way through it is a little bit grim. It would have been sufficient to state that it took the medic “… an instant to recognize the components that made up his face” but the author goes on to describe the damage to Glass’ face in great detail (26). The anonymity of the prologue provides an interesting beginning to the book. The Revenant starts off with the characters only being referred to as boy or (injured) man. The inarticulate ramblings of a man near death provide a glimpse into a later part of the book when the main character, Glass, is being abandoned. It’s almost like a trailer to a movie, where things are a bit hazy and difficult to piece together, but still very interesting and ends up securing your attention. The book begins with “They were abandoning him” (1). You know from the very first sentence what is going to happen: a grievously injured man is going to be cruelly forsaken. A final noteworthy aspect of The Revenant is its almost entirely male cast of characters. While there are mentions of mothers, sisters, and long-dead fiancées, all of the main characters, and a majority of the supporting characters are male. However, the book doesn’t suffer from having a less diverse set of characters or from lacking the typical romantic sub-plot. The Revenant is an enthralling novel about survival for the sake of revenge. Because the book entails mature themes, the intended audience is a bit older. The exciting and unusual plot will appeal to a wide range of readers. Michael Punke is an American writer, novelist, professor, policy analyst, policy consultant, attorney, former Deputy United States Trade Representative, and former U.S. Ambassador to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. He is currently the Vice President of Public Policy for Amazon Web Services. Additionally, Punke was born and raised in Wyoming.

“At the same time, Glass sensed that his body was marshalling itself for another, decisive battle. Not at the surface, but deep within.” The term revenant is defined as “one who returns after death,” a fitting title given the predicament and remarkable story of trapper Hugh Glass. I’m sure all are aware of the Leonardo DiCaprio film from a while back that is the adaptation of this novel, and specifically the famous (infamous) “grizzly bear” scene. I feel as though, while both are powerful stories, the novel gives more emphasis on the psychology of Glass’ dire life or death situation and the lengths to which he had to “come back from death.” The author sets the scene early in the novel. In the early part of the 1800s, the Rocky Mountain Fur Company is in the midst of a brutal and often dangerous mission. One of the more experience of the bunch, Hugh Glass, is preforming a scouting duty when a vicious encounter with a grizzly bear puts him at death’s edge as the rest of men decide how to proceed. This novel is called a “revenge” novel or “revenge” story, and while revenge is certainly a player and theme—and largely the basis and fuel for the protagonist’s motivations—the survival element was far more important, thought-provoking, and interesting. And, as a survival story, The Revenant is top notch and engrossing. The author does a superb job placing the reader right square in the point of view from Hugh Glass’ perspective after he is abandoned by two of the men in his group, his supplies taken, and his wounds severe and life-threatening. There is a rawness and brutality to the depiction of Glass efforts to go from the brink of death to try to muster up enough energy to go into full survival mode. I cannot write it without maybe giving away some spoilers, but there is a great quote from one of the characters near the end who basically gives such great insights into his thoughts on Glass’ quest for revenge. In this edition, there is an “Historical Note” from Punke where he details the historical elements and certain fictionalized parts of the novel, and sheds some light on the book itself and gives some context. The Revenant is a gripping and fascinating historical fiction, looking into one man’s brutal quest to survive and make it to the next day in the harshest of conditions. Definitely recommended, especially for those who love survival or man vs. nature type stories, or stories of overcoming odds.

ho letto questo libro senza sapere cosa aspettarmi, spinta dalla curiosità e dai "rumors" sul film da cui è stato tratto.. mi è piaciuto molto.. io l'ho letto in inglese e l'ho apprezzato

Die Story läuft etwas anders als im Film. Aber absolut lesenswert und spannend. Ich fand es super wie das harte und gefährlich Leben der Fallensteller in der damaligen Zeit beschrieben wird. Finde allerdings, dass die Indianer in dieser Geschichte eher schlecht weg kommen hier hätte ich mir etwas mehr Objektivität gewünscht, immerhin waren es ja die weißen Fallensteller die unberechtigt in das Indianergebiet eingedrungen und deren Lebensgrundlage (z.B. die Büffel) vernichtet haben.

A true story of a world long forgotten. A story of simple courage and determination,of treachery, the enormous hopelessness of a lives squandered.

I was one that had been introduced to Mr.Glass through the movie’s. His life was much more interesting than any movie. I often think about how we humans lived in the past. Life was a lot tougher back in the day. People were stronger , more adventurous and willing to own their lives. This is a very well written book of Hugh Glass and his life. All though it’s very difficult to try and follow someone through the days when there is not a lot of written records I believe this author did a fine job bringing this man to life. Lots of historical points to reference and people as well. Definitely recommend to all.

Compre sem medo.