''Soul Catcher'' is a 1972 novel by

Frank Herbert Franklin Patrick Herbert Jr. (October 8, 1920February 11, 1986) was an American science fiction author best known for the 1965 novel '' Dune'' and its five sequels. Though he became famous for his novels, he also wrote short stories and worked a ...

about a Native American who kidnaps a young white boy, and their journey together. In 2014 producer Dimitri Villard acquired the film rights to the novel.

Plot

After his young sister is brutally raped by white loggers, Native American student Charles Hobuhet abducts the 13-year-old son of a high-level US politician. As Katsuk, "the avenger", Charles plans to use young David as a sacrifice in an ancient ritual of vengeance. A complicated bond begins to form as they journey across the Pacific Northwest, pursued by hunters.

Critical reception

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

'' writes that the bond between Katsuk and David "sounds almost plausible, but the novel's serious fantasy fiction — the characters are symbols and Katsuk's tranced sense of mission will remind some of ''

Dune A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, f ...

Paul Atreides Paul Atreides (; later known as Paul Muad'Dib, and later still as The Preacher) is a fictional character in the ''Dune'' universe created by Frank Herbert. Paul is the primary protagonist in the first two novels in the series, ''Dune'' (1965) ...

. At times excessively lyrical and portentous; nonetheless, deeply felt and magical, and an eloquent evocation of the old earth-life religion contrasted to the walking death of whites." The novel was partially inspired by Herbert's relationship with Quileute Howard Hansen, who disapproved of the book's ending, saying it was culturally contrary to how a Native American would behave in that context. Film producer Dimitri Villard noted in 2014 that the novel's "not cinematically acceptable" ending was likely one of the reasons the novel had never been adapted into a film.

Film adaptation

In August 2014, producer Dimitri Villard acquired the film rights to the novel. He said: Villard later hired Quileute elder Howard Hansen, a friend of Herbert's, as a consultant to help rework the ending (Hansen died in 2018). He also enlisted casting director Rene Haynes, known for her work with Native American performers.

References

{{Frank Herbert 1972 American novels Novels by Frank Herbert Books about Native Americans Novels about child abduction Novels about revenge