Soul Catcher

by Frank Herbert

Book Overview

Katsuk, a militant Native American student, kidnaps 13-year-old David Marshall-the son of the US Undersecretary of State. The two flee into the deepest wilds of the Pacific Northwest, where they must... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425042502
• ISBN13: 9780425042502
• Release Date: July 1979
• Publisher: Berkley
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.0" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Soul Catcher: Herbert at his best

HOQUAT - something that floated out far out on the water, something unfamiliar and mysterious.They came from across the sea, fell in love with the land and took it by all means necessary. From the People, and yet they called themselves people too.Now in a hoquat state and hoquat society, where but a few of the People remain true to the old ways, a man raises. Charles Hobuhet, imitation white man. But the spirit world knew him as Katsuk, the avenger, balancer of heaven and earth, the center of the universe. He had set out to teach the world a lesson, a one that wouldn't soon be forgotten. All he needed was an Innocent, one David Marshall, his 13 year old hoquat captive.Deep, masterfully portrayed characters with the ease only the great ones possess. Intriguing, well paced, immersing a reader in a dark, eery, eye opening glimpses of human soul, spirit and character. Enthralling read, leaving you without the need to understand it all, as you feel it, giving you a chance to surpass the hoquat flaw, of thinking about it with words.Not a sci-fi book as such, but never the less a great one that reminds if not teaches that: " Science doesn't liberate from the terror of gods."

Haunting

This is one of those books that will stay with you a long time. When I finished it I just lay there in bed thinking about it. I loved it..... I hated it.... I loved it... it's just one of those books. It was easy to see why the copy I loaned from the library still had a big sticker across the front labeling it a "BANNED BOOK".The narrative deals with Charles Hobuhet, a hurt, sensitive and vindictive young native american man and his kidnapping of a young white boy that he intends to sacrifice in reparation for all of the wrongs done against his people. It's also a dark look into the human spirit, and the bond that forms between captor and captive. The ending of this novel will stay with me until the end of my days, and I reccomend it for anyone in search of challenging and meaningful literature.

A Book I Won't Lend to Anyone

I don't lend this book, because I don't want to take a chance on losing it.In all his writings, Frank Herbert had a way of getting to the core of ideas of the spirit. In "Soul Catcher" he managed to convey the meaning underlying the actions of Charles Hobuhet in such a way that I was able to set aside my cultural preconceptions. Even though I wanted Hobuhet to free the captured boy, I began to accept where his spirit world was leading him. I've read very few authors who could accomplish what Herbert did in this small novel. A mark of a good book is when it haunts you for years with flashes of memory. This one does.

Wow! Look at all the Bees!

I know what you're saying after reading this book. I mean, I've had the same thought. Who wouldn't? Who couldn't help but ask, "Can I have some of what Mr. Herbert was smoking when he wrote this?" Far out! The story revolves around the kidnapping of a young boy who happens to be the son of a prominent politician. He is kidnapped by a Native American living in the California coastal mountains because the 'Indian' has been given a vision by Bee, his spirit creature. He has to find out whether this boy is worthy of what destiny says the 'Indian' must do. And what is that I hear you asking? Well we can't tell you everything now, can we. But rest assured the ending is well worth the length of the novel itself. I notice that this book is currently unavailable (out of print). Sad. Such a good story. I've also heard rumor that they might be bringing it back into print...but don't tell anyone. It'll be our little secret, okay?

Frank Herbert's best book!

A fascinating book full of strange magic and human drama. Thebest part about it is that - despite the frequent magical, orapparently magical - acts of a modern-day "crazy Indian" shaman, nothing in the book couldn't happen. Every manifestation of the supernatural is powerful and convincing precisely because it could be merely coincidence that it occurs just at the moment it's needed.This is a terrific blend of anthropological research (I can't vouch for whether or not the Native American mythology is completely accurate: just very convincing), a powerful statement, and just great storytelling. If you can get it, well worth the trouble!