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Lost in the Barrens
Awasin and Jamie, brothers in courage, meet a challenge many mountain men could not endure. When their canoe is destroyed by the fury of the rapids, they must face the wilderness with no food and no hope of rescue. To survive, they build an igloo, battle a towering grizzly bear, track several wolves, slaughter caribou for food and clothing. Two lost huskies they tame bring companionship--and maybe a way home from their dangerous adventure.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
About the author
Farley Mowat
99 books618 followersFarley McGill Mowat was a conservationist and one of Canada's most widely-read authors.
Many of his most popular works have been memoirs of his childhood, his war service, and his work as a naturalist. His works have been translated into 52 languages and he has sold more than 14 million books.
Mowat studied biology at the University of Toronto. During a field trip to the Arctic, Mowat became outraged at the plight of the Ihalmiut, a Caribou Inuit band, which he attributed to misunderstanding by whites. His outrage led him to publish his first novel, People of the Deer (1952). This book made Mowat into a literary celebrity and was largely responsible for the shift in the Canadian government's Inuit policy: the government began shipping meat and dry goods to a people they previously denied existed.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship RV Farley Mowat was named in honour of him, and he frequently visited it to assist its mission.
Many of his most popular works have been memoirs of his childhood, his war service, and his work as a naturalist. His works have been translated into 52 languages and he has sold more than 14 million books.
Mowat studied biology at the University of Toronto. During a field trip to the Arctic, Mowat became outraged at the plight of the Ihalmiut, a Caribou Inuit band, which he attributed to misunderstanding by whites. His outrage led him to publish his first novel, People of the Deer (1952). This book made Mowat into a literary celebrity and was largely responsible for the shift in the Canadian government's Inuit policy: the government began shipping meat and dry goods to a people they previously denied existed.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship RV Farley Mowat was named in honour of him, and he frequently visited it to assist its mission.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
October 23, 2011
not my favorite book in the world. :(
February 19, 2013
Being the first book in it's series, Lost in the Barrens sets such a high standard it seems like the other books in this set are doomed to fall short. Farley Mowat has done well in this book in capturing the hardships of survival in the arctic plains of Canada.
In this page turner, you will read about the trials that a pair of boys must go through after their canoe is wrecked on a river far north in Canada's tundra. Jamie MaCnair, a Canadian born in Toronto, lives with his uncle Angus on the shores of a lake far north of Manitoba after his parents tragic car accident. Awasin, Jamie's best friend, is a Cree boy who lives near the Macnairs in a village, where he is the Chiefs son. While their fathers are away, they are asked for help from another Indian band farther north then even them, who suffer from starvation after not being able to hunt enough deer to support themselves. The two teens head off to help with a hunt, but find themselves with their canoe wrecked and hundreds of miles from help, with winter fast-approaching.
Jamie and Awasin must feed, cloth, shelter and protect themselves during the brutal arctic winter with not much more than a rifle, axe, rope and frying pan. Farley Mowat has written a masterpiece in this exciting book. Anyone who likes to read about adventure, danger and risk will find this one hard to put down!
In this page turner, you will read about the trials that a pair of boys must go through after their canoe is wrecked on a river far north in Canada's tundra. Jamie MaCnair, a Canadian born in Toronto, lives with his uncle Angus on the shores of a lake far north of Manitoba after his parents tragic car accident. Awasin, Jamie's best friend, is a Cree boy who lives near the Macnairs in a village, where he is the Chiefs son. While their fathers are away, they are asked for help from another Indian band farther north then even them, who suffer from starvation after not being able to hunt enough deer to support themselves. The two teens head off to help with a hunt, but find themselves with their canoe wrecked and hundreds of miles from help, with winter fast-approaching.
Jamie and Awasin must feed, cloth, shelter and protect themselves during the brutal arctic winter with not much more than a rifle, axe, rope and frying pan. Farley Mowat has written a masterpiece in this exciting book. Anyone who likes to read about adventure, danger and risk will find this one hard to put down!
March 3, 2013
As an environmental outdoor education teacher I am always looking for great novels for my students to read that will help teach a variety of concepts. After reading this book I have selected this as my choice for grade eight
January 30, 2015
Lost in the Barrens is a book of two teenagers go on a hunting trip and get lost in to the enemy territory and winter was coming and this book is about. they had knife shard and a musket with 100 bullets. Before winter came they had a short period of time making a cabin and get food and half way through the winter there was a blizzard that made them home sick and after it ended they decided to go to the others camp witch was weeks away right when they were about to turn around they found a Eskimo that helped them get home. the reasons why i like this book is because it teaches you how to survive in the wilderness and build a cabin.
April 28, 2019
I know Farley Mowat more from his nonfiction books, particularly Never Cry Wolf, but this is a fictional novel, essentially a young adult novel. Two boys, a white boy and a Native American who are fast friends are lost in the barren northlands of Canada and must prepare for winter on their own. There are a lot of interesting details about how the boys survive, and nice touches of mystery like the discovery of Viking ruins. A really enjoyable tale.
July 8, 2012
I read this as a youngster in Junior High School. It had been recommended to me by my older brother, strange as it was that I would read a book he had read.
It's a wonderful "Coming of Age" tale full of danger, adventure, and friendship, set in the wilds of North East Canada and Western Alaska.
For me, it was everything Call of the Wild by Jack London turned out to be, and better, since I was the same age as the characters in the book.
Farley Mowat has a wonderful sense of touch and there are messages in this book about getting along, racism and how to handle it, and how to be someone's friend. I haven't bumped into the same feelings this book inspired until last year when I read Allen Steele's Coyote.
I'd rank it with "The Last of the Mowhicans."
Great story for Young Adults and anyone who with a sense of adventure.
It's a wonderful "Coming of Age" tale full of danger, adventure, and friendship, set in the wilds of North East Canada and Western Alaska.
For me, it was everything Call of the Wild by Jack London turned out to be, and better, since I was the same age as the characters in the book.
Farley Mowat has a wonderful sense of touch and there are messages in this book about getting along, racism and how to handle it, and how to be someone's friend. I haven't bumped into the same feelings this book inspired until last year when I read Allen Steele's Coyote.
I'd rank it with "The Last of the Mowhicans."
Great story for Young Adults and anyone who with a sense of adventure.
June 6, 2018
The character strength for the main character is that he is courageous. The reason for that is because his friend and himself had to spend a winter in Eskimo territory.
October 6, 2022
99% of wilderness survival narratives are just people putting things together. The other 1% is made up of an insane amount of luck and/or coincidence without which the tale would end in tragedy. This one is no different, but it's still an enjoyable read.
Moreso, at least, than the horrendous made-for-TV movie adaptation that for some reason decided Jamie should be a whiny brat instead of a naive and therefore slightly reckless boy, among other major flaws that I won't get into here. Suffice it to say, the book is worth the time investment over that piece of melodrama.
Moreso, at least, than the horrendous made-for-TV movie adaptation that for some reason decided Jamie should be a whiny brat instead of a naive and therefore slightly reckless boy, among other major flaws that I won't get into here. Suffice it to say, the book is worth the time investment over that piece of melodrama.
August 23, 2016
As I read this book I updated my sister constantly with what was befalling the boys on their travels, much to her disdain. She also didn't understand why I was reading this novel on a beach in the summer. When I saw this book in the library I believed I was in the sci-fi section and I thought it was post-apocalyptic. Then I read it was about two teenager boys who get lost in the wilderness and have to survive. "Like Hatchet?" My husband asked. "Like Hatchet?" My (aforementioned) sister asked. Yes, it's like freakin' Hatchet! But what's different about this novel is the boys are lost far far up North in the winter and start out with more survival skills. And yes, unlike Hatchet, I realize the characters don't really have depth - the novel is not a metaphor, it's not meant to show you the psychological harm being lost does to you, it's not even technically for adults. But why was it awesome? Because it's two guys surviving against all odds in the wilderness. "Holy Shit Moment" is one of my tags because crazy shit happens to them all the time. Every ten minutes I was saying, "Kait! Guess what's happening now..." and she'd roll her eyes. Despite the pain and boredom and strife the boys went through, this book makes me want to go up North. But maybe I'm just batshit crazy.
I'm going to buy this book and give it to my future kids. I would have loved it as a child.
I'm going to buy this book and give it to my future kids. I would have loved it as a child.
April 24, 2024
A story of survival in the far North. I read it aloud every other year to third and fourth graders and they love it every time.
June 8, 2013
Well, that one sent me back to fourth and fifth grade. Of course, I grew up hearing bits of The Dog Who Wouldn't Be as family favorites, but this was the first Arctic book of Farley Mowat's that I'd read, and I'm going to have to read more. I am fascinated by the far North, and by living off the land; this book has sparked a desire in me to reread Julie of the Wolves and other Jean Craighead George, including my favorite book from when I was 10-13 (My Side of the Mountain). Also, I've put Wilderness Inquiry on my list for next summer, as I have no vacation time I can use for it this year.
I don't think I can actually review the book because it just sparked so many other feelings of nostalgia and desire for wilderness that I can't judge it as a work on its own.
I don't think I can actually review the book because it just sparked so many other feelings of nostalgia and desire for wilderness that I can't judge it as a work on its own.
July 15, 2023
This was decent; the descriptions of the wilderness and the methods used to survive in it were very interesting. I do wish there had been some better character development, however. The boys become stranded due to stubbornness, arrogance, and foolishness on Jamie’s part; but the end of the novel, after all they were forced to endure, they almost die due to a stubborn, arrogant, and foolish decision, only surviving due to some lucky intervention by a third party. So ya, not exactly the growth I was looking for. Still an enjoyable read, however.
November 9, 2015
This book was enjoyable and was able to keep my interest throughout.
It is about two young boys...a white boy named Jamie and a Cree Indian boy named Awasin. They are both adventurous and good-hearted youngsters who are full of spirit and courage. The boys go on a trip North with a group of Chippewas whose village is in danger of starving if they don't travel further North in search of caribou to hunt. The boys travel further North with the hunters of the Chippewa tribe but eventually decide to go off on their own adventure. This lands them in deep trouble and they are forced to spend many months in the desolate lands of the far North on their own. They use their ingenuity and experience to survive and do an impressive job of carving out their own little piece of home while they are stuck in this unforgiving land. I was extremely impressed by their hard work and by how they could come up with solutions by working and planning together when a problem would arise. This was a fun read and I even learned quite a bit about how people live their lives and survive when living in the far North of Alaska.
It is about two young boys...a white boy named Jamie and a Cree Indian boy named Awasin. They are both adventurous and good-hearted youngsters who are full of spirit and courage. The boys go on a trip North with a group of Chippewas whose village is in danger of starving if they don't travel further North in search of caribou to hunt. The boys travel further North with the hunters of the Chippewa tribe but eventually decide to go off on their own adventure. This lands them in deep trouble and they are forced to spend many months in the desolate lands of the far North on their own. They use their ingenuity and experience to survive and do an impressive job of carving out their own little piece of home while they are stuck in this unforgiving land. I was extremely impressed by their hard work and by how they could come up with solutions by working and planning together when a problem would arise. This was a fun read and I even learned quite a bit about how people live their lives and survive when living in the far North of Alaska.
October 23, 2012
This was okay. I never read it as a kid and probably would have enjoyed it more at that time. I found Jamie to be kind of an annoying character, pushing his wiser friend to break the rules and do stupid things. Some of the hunting scenes were needlessly emotional (e.g. drawing the action out, describing the reactions of the prey etc.). I just read The Hunger Games and though there was a lot of hunting in that one too, the author tells rather than shows. I liked all the inventiveness and survival description. Of course, there was some sexism (things described as "women's work" etc) and it utterly failed the Bechdel test. But what can one expect with a typical Boys' Own Adventure type story from 1956?
May 25, 2012
A book that presents the far north as it really is
Again, Farley Mowat demonstrates that which makes him clearly on of Canada's greatest treasures.
A fictional book, it nevertheless portrays the beautiful tundra of the north. Anyone reading it will be carried by the story but will learn of the beauty of the Barrens, despite its unforgiving brutality.
A book I have read many times and never cease to be impressed by the true beauty of the North!
Again, Farley Mowat demonstrates that which makes him clearly on of Canada's greatest treasures.
A fictional book, it nevertheless portrays the beautiful tundra of the north. Anyone reading it will be carried by the story but will learn of the beauty of the Barrens, despite its unforgiving brutality.
A book I have read many times and never cease to be impressed by the true beauty of the North!
July 23, 2008
Still my favorite book!
November 22, 2018
A bit mythical in plot; interesting facts of the area weaved into the storyline nonetheless.
April 23, 2023
I really wish 10 year old me had found this book, I would have loved to daydream in class about starving to death in the tundra.
May 8, 2020
I read this several times as a kid, because my grandma owned a copy. I read it again as an adult, and now I read it to my students. The boys liked this one; the girls seemed a trifle bored. The only part I really like is the mystery of the Viking house.
April 15, 2024
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would! It definitely reminded me of the book My Side of the Mountain.
February 24, 2008
Farley Mowat has written several books. This one dates as far back 1956, which must have been good for its publishing. And I remember having this book to read in school. And many teachers are willing to influence the students, apart from, that this story manly opens with a small amount of background of the life of Jamie. Who intends to join his uncle. The field of Canada’s explorations for once open up for a high adventure brought by the eyes of quite young boys who happen alert and strong enough to endure such.
Right off Mowat delineates shades and separates distinction of Jamie’s provisional trial in the wilderness of Canada. Jamie and Awasin in a wooded land of rare animals, and rarer more are the people, especially Jamie being white, are among Indian people who Jamie should have been accustomed to. He lives rough and with those Indians living in the land at hand.
After all Mowat depicts around his main character Jamie, Jamie’s uncle as Angus Macnair and perhaps as the influence of Jamie. Jamie left Toronto to live by supervision. But as Jamie’s uncle is a forest’s man, Jamie is expected to follow him in everyway. This is obviously Jamie’s belief too, as Mowat surprises the reader suddenly in the life style of living farther north of Canada.
The adventure and Barrenlands is making its introduction in the mind of young Jamie. From hearing about the Indians who hunt dear in the Barrenlands.
The two boys Awasin and Jamie are convince to visit neighboring tepees of Chipeweyan, and given the probabilities, Mowat does a good attempt to stagger one’s very own imagination creating something out of the situation of this original meeting of a Chipeweyan family.
Right off Mowat delineates shades and separates distinction of Jamie’s provisional trial in the wilderness of Canada. Jamie and Awasin in a wooded land of rare animals, and rarer more are the people, especially Jamie being white, are among Indian people who Jamie should have been accustomed to. He lives rough and with those Indians living in the land at hand.
After all Mowat depicts around his main character Jamie, Jamie’s uncle as Angus Macnair and perhaps as the influence of Jamie. Jamie left Toronto to live by supervision. But as Jamie’s uncle is a forest’s man, Jamie is expected to follow him in everyway. This is obviously Jamie’s belief too, as Mowat surprises the reader suddenly in the life style of living farther north of Canada.
The adventure and Barrenlands is making its introduction in the mind of young Jamie. From hearing about the Indians who hunt dear in the Barrenlands.
The two boys Awasin and Jamie are convince to visit neighboring tepees of Chipeweyan, and given the probabilities, Mowat does a good attempt to stagger one’s very own imagination creating something out of the situation of this original meeting of a Chipeweyan family.
November 13, 2020
This is the kind of book that's great to read when you're in the mood for an adventure story, but one that is relatively light reading, and not too long. This is a story about sixteen-year-old Jamie and his Cree friend Awasin struggling to survive in the Canadian North after being separated from a hunting party. They have to work together, and use their ingenuity to keep themselves from dying of cold and hunger. This is a good survival story with interesting details about how the boys eked out a living, but it's also a story with a lot of warmth and hope, especially at the end. The detailed writing reflects Farley Mowat's love of animals and nature, especially in the scenes where the boys must balance their guilt over killing so many caribou with their need to survive in the harsh Northern ecosystem.
For most of the book, the two boys are the only human characters, but this works because they are both well-developed characters. Jamie's impulsiveness and adventurous nature are effective foils to Awasin's more cautious and sensitive personality. The friends' contrasting personalities play well off each other, whether they happen to be working together or arguing. The action for most of the book is fairly subdued(and sometimes a bit dull), as the boys spend much of it hunting and trying to make clothes and shelter. But towards the end, the suspense and danger build up very quickly, making for an exciting finish.
All of that, plus the beautiful and dramatic illustrations, made this book a believable and very enjoyable adventure story.
For most of the book, the two boys are the only human characters, but this works because they are both well-developed characters. Jamie's impulsiveness and adventurous nature are effective foils to Awasin's more cautious and sensitive personality. The friends' contrasting personalities play well off each other, whether they happen to be working together or arguing. The action for most of the book is fairly subdued(and sometimes a bit dull), as the boys spend much of it hunting and trying to make clothes and shelter. But towards the end, the suspense and danger build up very quickly, making for an exciting finish.
All of that, plus the beautiful and dramatic illustrations, made this book a believable and very enjoyable adventure story.
November 20, 2008
This is the first book that I ever owned, and I still have the original copy from 1976. I believe I was in 4th grade, and our teacher had us purchase this book (with our own money, if we could) and keep it.
This teacher inspired me to own many books, and now I hardly know of any books that I have read but do not own. I love my now extensive personal library, and attribute it to this one teacher, and this one book.
Lost in the Barrens was a great story about determination, and about two boys learning to survive together when they were separated from their parents. They eventually realized that they would have to make it through the cold, hard winter in the Northern Barrens, and they did.
It's a great story full of interesting information about lands where Farley Mowat has personally spent many, many years.
I recently read this book to my children, and they loved it as much as I did.
This teacher inspired me to own many books, and now I hardly know of any books that I have read but do not own. I love my now extensive personal library, and attribute it to this one teacher, and this one book.
Lost in the Barrens was a great story about determination, and about two boys learning to survive together when they were separated from their parents. They eventually realized that they would have to make it through the cold, hard winter in the Northern Barrens, and they did.
It's a great story full of interesting information about lands where Farley Mowat has personally spent many, many years.
I recently read this book to my children, and they loved it as much as I did.
April 5, 2017
A classic that I really got into a child. Likely I will re-read this one now that I am an adult.
My initial rating and review were based on memories of having read the book in childhood. In re-reading the book now, I had given some thought to changing my remembered impressions. But no, if you accept the book for what it is, a book first-published in 1956 by a man who had lived in the arctic and loved the land and its peoples. And, if you add to it that the book is a solid adventure story for young adults. Then, I must agree with my initial impressions and keep the five star rating and my strong appreciation for the story that Mowat told, including that he re-ignited in my a love for a land I have not yet seen and peoples that I might have on occasion met when they came to the southern latitudes.
R.I.P. Farley Mowat. We Canadians loved you and still do.
My initial rating and review were based on memories of having read the book in childhood. In re-reading the book now, I had given some thought to changing my remembered impressions. But no, if you accept the book for what it is, a book first-published in 1956 by a man who had lived in the arctic and loved the land and its peoples. And, if you add to it that the book is a solid adventure story for young adults. Then, I must agree with my initial impressions and keep the five star rating and my strong appreciation for the story that Mowat told, including that he re-ignited in my a love for a land I have not yet seen and peoples that I might have on occasion met when they came to the southern latitudes.
R.I.P. Farley Mowat. We Canadians loved you and still do.
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June 10, 2012I really liked this book because it was really easy to relate to the characters. There were two boys who were similar to my age. They also liked the wilderness which is one of my interests as well. They also grew up in canada which is very similar to the United States. I also liked this book because it was very action packed and scary at some points, it really kept me interested and amused. It was really fun reading this book and i recomend it to anybody who has an interest in action packed dangerous stories!
August 29, 2016
This book is amazing. I read this book years ago in elementary school. I "accidentally" kept it. Fast forward 15 years later. I decided to reread it. I remember why I love this book so much. This book takes place in my home province and deals with how utterly cold and desolate it can be in the winter time. Mowat really draws you into the story and makes you feel for these 2 boys and marvel at how ingenious they are. While the ending was good, my only critique is that I wish it was longer. This is a great read and one that I will definitely go back to in years to come.
March 28, 2009
Yes, another young adult book, but what can I say? I like them. Fun read. Learned that the only fur that doesn't collect breath moisture was the wolverine and the wolf. Liked this book. Our boys will like it one day.
January 13, 2010
I read this along with my 4th grader when it was assigned to him. It's a great adventure story for boys. I would recommend it for at least 4th grade or higher, as it was a good challenge for my son who is a good reader.
May 10, 2014
I enjoyed this just as much this time around as I did when I first read it as a child. Farley will be greatly missed, but his wonderful stories will live on forever!
December 5, 2017
This is a good book if you like Hatchet and other stories about being lost in the wilderness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews