Gone to the Woods: Gary Paulsen's Memoir of Overcoming a Difficult Childhood

B: Loved reading about his life! Great book!

United States on Jun 01, 2023

Mommy Monk: We have been following this author for many years. Whenever a new book comes out my son is on it. He is fantastic. There has not been a bad one yet.

United States on Apr 19, 2023

Carole Stojetz: He did overcome a lost her childhood. It’s amazing to me that he became the writer that he did given his upbringing. It really was quite sad. It seems that if you keep people in his life really helped him.

United States on Dec 21, 2022

Isabelle: Una volta iniziato questo meraviglioso libro non si lascia più. Una vita che ti fa capire quanto sono importanti li vicissitudini della vita e quanto ti aiutano a sviluppare le tue risorse per affrontare o abbracciare la vita.

Italy on Nov 25, 2022

yongwan kimyongwan kim: The quality of the book was so bad and it was like it was used before, can I get a new one? I would usually give stars for Amazon delivery but this one was too bad that I could not even give one star.

India on May 18, 2022

JKP: Needed book for school, arrived way too late, had to buy another, stuck with this one as return is to UK and worth more than book. Buyer beware- I bought in a rush and didn’t realize.

Canada on Jan 10, 2022

Hobbs: It's digital, so it's no good as a door stop.

Canada on Jul 31, 2021

Addison Dewitt: The first half of Mr. Paulsen's book was interesting, adventuresome and seemed like a book filled with promise of things to come. His boyhood figure ends up in an idyllic childhood-on-the-farm scenario and was a treat to read. Then he is uprooted and ends up first in the Philippines and then back to the U.S. where his drunken parents neglect him and leave him to his own devices. This portion of the book reads as if written by a totally different author. Different style, syntax, mannerisms, everything. It's a jarring comparison to the beginning. Perhaps this is a device for the author to show us the stark contrast, and while dialogue mannerisms may have changed for the boy, the writing style should not. It left me wanting. And the book ends abruptly, a sort of harsh, cold end to the story.

I am having trouble seeing this as a positive book for young readers (maybe late teens?) but overall it was a good story. There doesn't seem to be a positive outcome, at least on the page. It should have at least brought us up to his success as a writer so that we can see some positivity and the true outcome. I was left somewhat disappointed.

United States on May 23, 2021

Bookworm: This was a real life story if survival against all odds. The fact that he survived and became a prolific writer is a tribute to the family (a compassionate Aunt and Uncle) and a civil servant (the librarian) had a profound and lasting impact on his life. I have read all the books written by Mr. Paulson. Thank you for giving me the courage to problem solve and face and challenges in my own life. You are an inspiration as well remarkable writer. Against all odds you overcame so much in your young life. You gave thanks to those special people who helped you grow, learn and write. You are a remarkable person of character and strength. I encourage all to read his books.

United States on Mar 04, 2021