Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

Gary Paulsen was an American writer who specialized in fiction for children and young adults, including many stories set in the wilderness. He entered his first Iditarod race in 1983, just over a decade before he documented the experience in Winterdance. In the book, he portrays himself as a persistent, but sometimes clueless, novice who repeatedly admits his lack of knowledge about sled-dog running and the Iditarod race. In fact, Paulsen’s humbleness sometimes verges on lack of self-confidence. However, he always pushes himself forward and continues to pursue his dangerous and difficult venture.

The protagonist frequently resorts to self-deprecating, gallows humor in describing dangerous mishaps. This sense of humor allows Paulsen not to take his many stumbles too seriously, so they never overwhelm him to the point of making him quit. For example, when he makes a wrong move in approaching his most aggressive dog, Devil, Paulsen writes, “Devil popped me as I reached for him, drew a little blood, but it was less than usual and I thought we might be getting on friendlier terms” (76).

By casting himself as an underdog, Paulsen entices readers to root for him in what he has depicted as a nearly impossible undertaking.