Reviews

Hudson Bay Bound: Two Women, One Dog, Two Thousand Miles to the Arctic by Natalie Warren

craftbuzz's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

3.25

jwcavins's review against another edition

4.0

I am a seriously un-outdoorsy person. A friend lent me this because it's our One Community, One Book read for the year. It's terrific. Two college grads decide to canoe up the Minnesota River to the Red River and into Canada to reach Hudson Bay (a 2000 mile trip).

While it didn't make me want to buy a canoe (I can't even swim), the story of their trip is engaging and beautifully shared.

madelinedda's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

4.75

justjacq's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

4.25

This book was exactly as I expected. It felt pretty quick paced, and it was just over 200 pages, so it maintained my attention for the whole time. I picked it because the synopsis reminded me of The Sun is a Compass, which was one of my favorite books. The writing comes off a little young, not quite polished, but it's fitting for the adventure and for where the girls were in their life - graduating college and figuring out their futures. There was a lot to learn about rivers, lakes, and waterways, mostly regarding access, power, and pollution. They were the first women to make the voyage, and they faced quite a few people who questioned their competence and who were skeptical about their skills. I saw another reviewer who said they were annoyed that the girls were bothered by this and that they often thought would men be questioned or doubted in the same way. I personally think it was fine to highlight this and that she did so sparingly and tastefully. It was a great story of adventure, travel, friendship, and perseverance, and I really enjoyed it!
4.25/5⭐️s

mindfullibrarian's review against another edition

5.0

This book is the perfect example of vacation reading sometimes hitting so much harder due to place and time. I purchased this book at one of my favorite indie bookstores (Apostle Island Booksellers in Bayfield, WI) on our way to camp at Madeline Island, and it ended up being the EXACT book I wanted to read while lying on the beach, sitting in the campsite and lounging around La Pointe after eating ice cream. This account of an epic canoe adventure by two young women takes readers from Minneapolis, MN up through Canada and to the Hudson Bay. It is not only an adventure story, though ~ it also details the ecological harms that are being committed to the region's rivers by cities and farms, as well as the crimes against Native Americans and their land over the centuries. I was deeply moved by the story and couldn't stop reading ~ this is a book I will be recommending for years to come.

ellehawk's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

 I like books like this: people going on real world adventures, and sharing their experiences. I didn't necessarily love how the author was using page after page to tell us why water pollution is bad, but I understand that she's an advocate for rivers and waterways remaining clean and this book was one platform for her to do so. Overall, a good and fun read. 

guiltlesspleasures's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

I am the most indoorsy of people, so it was brilliant to live vicariously through Natalie and Ann’s journey from Minnesota to Hudson Bay. Natalie tells a great tale filled with danger, reflection, anxieties, friendship, wildlife and, importantly, how industry, legislation and human activity are changing these once pristine landscapes. She also talks movingly about the indigenous plight in both the U.S. and Canada. There’s a lot here, some eye opening, some awe inspiring. Loved it and am so impressed by these women.

lilcassieg's review against another edition

adventurous informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this book (for the most part). It was a fast-paced read and kept me entertained. Be aware it gets a little "environmentally preachy" at times. But I am guessing that was a major part for writing it in the first place!

Natalie was an engaging narrator. However, I also found her (and Ann) not the most likable of people. It annoyed me that every time someone questioned them, offered advice, or tried to help, they would get an attitude and wonder "if we were men, would they be doing/asking the same?" 99% of the time I thought to myself "Yeah, Natalie, they probably would have!" I also didn't like a few times when people would give them gifts and they acted like they were a hassle. They both just came across...ungrateful at times, I guess.

That said, I enjoyed reading about the places and people that they met along their journey. Especially the Canadian leg and their visits to the First Nations. So, a bit of a mixed bag with this one. But overall it was an interesting read and gets a thumbs up from yours truly.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

rwilkinson's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

4.0