Small Game: A Novel

For anyone who has watched Naked and Afraid or Alone, or anyone who has gone backpacking, camping, hunting, or enjoyed wilderness, this "what if" story is so well told, I'm so impressed. I read it in one sitting. The characters were complex and real, their situation made sense, and I can't believe I didn't know about this fantastic book before now. It's a great read! Enjoy!

I wasn't sure I'd like this book. I find the whole concept of survivalism ridiculous, so wasn't sure I'd appreciate the central theme. But, Braverman is a genuinely good writer – the narrative has momentum and high stakes. Something is always happening in this story, and the characters are believable and interesting enough that you get invested in their survival. My only complaint is that we never find out why the central twist happened. There are lots of possibilities, but it feels like the author could have wrapped that up better. When I finished the book, I felt a bit dissatisfied that the central mystery wasn't clarified. The author was essentially interested in the psyches of the characters, and I was invested in what the hell happened. But, I recommend the book. It's a very engaging read.

I was really loving this book. It has a simple style that seems appropriate to the stark plot of a small group of people in a survival reality show who find themselves in a situation that doesn't seem to be part of the show. It was fun to read and hard to put down. I was hoping the author could keep it up to a conclusion. And then the book ends. To call what happens a "conclusion" is overstating it. There is probably a real ending that the author wrote that, for some reason, was cut and rewritten. Perhaps the original ending was too long, or too dark, or didn't provide an explanation, or was felt to be too ludicrous to publish. Whatever it was, the actual explanation is in conflict with specific events in the book and makes no sense. And it feels like about a third of the book is missing -- it's not just that the explanation itself is inadequate. It's a real pity. If the author could have brought this home, it would be a really unique and interesting novel. I get it, though -- endings are hard.

Small Game by Blair Braverman Kindle Edition read This spectacular book begins as a thriller, with people in a wilderness survival TV show. They’re treated with deceit, leading to mistrust. Having been taken deep into a wilderness, blindfolded, they’re forced to jump into a lake from a helicopter, and left to the connivance of the small crew, led by an unscrupulous producer. When they’re abandoned, literally forgotten, they’re forced to confront their own limits and the vast forest of threats. Small Game becomes a novel of more serious themes at this juncture, written beautifully by a writer who knows her survival skills. Blair Braverman trained as a dogsled musher, having lived on the frozen Scandinavian tundra and, later, in the woods of northern-tier USA. She writes for OUTSIDE Magazine, among others. Her background informs this novel on all levels, and elevates it effortlessly. Brilliant work, concise and true, it’s a story of survival, for some, against the odds in an unforgiving north woods climate. The reader gradually learns about the people involved, seeing their flaws, failures, and small triumphs. Strongly recommended for Jon Krakauer fans, Jack London fans, and anyone who enjoys tales of facing down inner challenges while outside, alone. / Gene Stewart

Well written and not formulaic, but felt unsatisfied by the ending and can’t stand that all the questions weren’t answered. Just tell us!