Eastern Sun, Winter Moon: An Autobiographical Odyssey

Gary Paulsen, famous for "Hatchet" and other young adult memoirs, was given a box of black and white photos taken in his early years, and along with his sister's encouragement, was inspired to write this memoir. The result was this book. It starts out with a bang in the first chapter, when, after sneaking out of the house from a nap with his mother, he is cornered by a homeless bum/pedophile whose attempt to abuse him is aborted by an attack from Paulsen's mother, and it appears that she also killed him. Further chapters decribe him witnessing his mother getting drunk numerous times, having sex with various men, traveling by car and boat to the Phillipines, witnessing shark attacks on passengers escaping from a plane that fell in the sea, watching a man get cut in half by a piece of corrugated iron during a typhoon in the Phillipines, among others. How this man survived such a traumatic childhood is beyond this reader's grasp. Does not slow down for one minute. Great book. Read it.

Biography...most people don't like to read these kinds of books. But, this is a very exciting biography that can't be put down.

Gary Paulsen is truly a rare talent. Your right there where ever he is, smelling the sea, the jungle, he draws you in and keeps you right along side him!

This is one of the most remarkable pieces of non-fiction I have ever read. It turned me into a real Gary Paulsen fan, despite the fact that most of his stuff is written for teenagers. If you are an adult, find his other non-fiction. It is all powerful and very worthwhile.

Eastern Sun, Winter Moon by Gary Paulsen is a well-written,detailed account of Paulsen's childhood. Set in post World War II times, Gary Paulsen delivers astonishing and often vividly dramatic stories from his life. From his early exposure to sex to biting his tongue off or witnessing a shark attack after a plane crash, Paulsen's early life is filled with plenty of experiences to keep any reader interested. This book has a great deal of adult material and would be suggested for mature readers.