The River Audiobook By Gary Paulsen cover art

The River

Preview
This Season's Biggest Deal

$0.99/mo for 3 months + $20 Audible bonus

Audible Standard auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Get this deal
Offer ends on December 28, 2026.
More purchase options

The River

By: Gary Paulsen
Narrated by: Peter Coyote
Get this deal

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends December 28, 2026. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $8.06

Buy for $8.06

This Season's Biggest Deal | $0.99/mo for 3 months + $20 Audible bonus

$8.99/mo thereafter—terms apply.
Summary
The government sends Brian back to the Canadian wilderness in this beloved follow-up to the award-winning classic Hatchet from three-time Newbery Honor-winning author Gary Paulsen!

Two years after Brian Robeson survived fifty-four days alone in the Canadian wilderness, the government wants him to head back so they can learn what he did to stay alive. This time Derek Holtzer, a government psychologist, will accompany him. But a freak storm leaves Derek unconscious. Brian's only hope is to transport Derek a hundred miles down the river to a trading post. He's survived with only a hatchet before--now can Brian build a raft and navigate an unknown river?

For the first time it's not only Brian's survival that's at stake. . .


An IRA-CBC Children’s Choice
A Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year


“Vividly written, a book that will, as intended, please the readers who hoped that Paulsen, like Brian, would ‘do it again.’” —Kirkus Reviews

Read all the Hatchet Adventures!
Brian's Winter
The River
Brian's Return
Brian's Hunt
Action & Adventure Depression & Mental Health Difficult Situations Literature & Fiction Self Esteem & Self Image Survival Inspiring Wilderness
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
Thrilling Adventure • Engaging Survival Story • Excellent Narration • Dogged Determination • Compelling Wilderness Setting

Highly rated for:

All stars
Most relevant
Such a refreshing continuation of the characters journey post Hatchet. Truly a fun read.

wonderful follow up to the Hatchet

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

what an amazing sequel, doesn't suffer sexualities, feels like a continuation of hatchet. Love this story on so many levels, and how Gary writes it, amazing a good nail biter at times.

Epic story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The river has a great story, I really enjoyed it, reader was also good. Great book.

Great story, good reader

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Music was distracting and sometimes made the words difficult to hear but story and narrator were great! Recommend the series!

Good sequel

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

awesome book to listen to. very descriptive . you can close your eyes and be there.

awesome and book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews