If you are a fan of thrillers, then you might have come across The Revenant by Michael Punke and Burn by Lars Emmerich. Both novels are intense, fast-paced, and packed with action. In this article, we will compare and contrast these two novels in terms of their plot, characters, themes, writing style, setting, and more. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of which thriller novel stands out in terms of its entertainment value and literary merit.
Overview of The Revenant and Burn
The Revenant is a historical fiction novel that takes place during the 1820s in the American wilderness. The protagonist, Hugh Glass, is a fur trapper who is left for dead by his comrades after being mauled by a bear. The novel follows his journey of survival and revenge against those who betrayed him. The novel was adapted into a movie in 2015, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Burn, on the other hand, is a contemporary thriller novel that takes place in an urban city. The protagonist, Daniel Byrne, is a Catholic priest who possesses supernatural powers that enable him to exorcise demons. The novel follows his struggle to protect his sister and the world from a powerful demon that possesses people and turns them into killers. Burn was adapted into a TV series in 2021, starring Bradley Whitford.
Plot Summary of The Revenant
The Revenant opens with a fur trapping expedition led by Captain Andrew Henry and his men, including Hugh Glass. While scouting for game, Glass is attacked by a grizzly bear and left for dead by his comrades, John Fitzgerald and Jim Bridger, who steal his belongings and abandon him. However, Glass survives his injuries and begins a long and arduous journey back to civilization, driven by his desire for revenge against Fitzgerald and Bridger.
Along the way, Glass encounters various challenges and dangers, including hostile Native Americans, freezing temperatures, hunger, and physical exhaustion. He also forms a bond with a Pawnee woman who helps him on his journey. Eventually, Glass catches up with Fitzgerald and Bridger and confronts them. The novel ends with Glass choosing not to kill them and instead letting them live with their guilt and shame.
Plot Summary of Burn
Burn opens with Daniel Byrne, a Catholic priest, performing an exorcism on a possessed boy. Daniel has supernatural powers that enable him to expel demons from people’s bodies. He is also the head of a secret organization called the Ordo Militum Vindicis Intactae (OMVI), which fights demons and supernatural threats. Daniel learns that his sister is possessed by a powerful demon called the Burned Man, who possesses people and turns them into killers.
Daniel’s mission is to save his sister and stop the Burned Man from unleashing chaos on the world. He also has to deal with OMVI’s bureaucracy and internal conflicts, as well as the Burned Man’s minions, who also possess supernatural powers. The novel ends with Daniel defeating the Burned Man and saving his sister, but at a great personal cost.
Analysis of Characters in The Revenant
The Revenant’s main character, Hugh Glass, is a complex and compelling protagonist. He is driven by his desire for revenge but also has a deep respect for nature and Native American culture. He is also haunted by the loss of his son and his relationship with his wife, who was a Pawnee woman. John Fitzgerald and Jim Bridger, the men who betray Glass, are also well-developed characters with their own motivations and flaws. The Pawnee woman who helps Glass is a minor character, but she represents a different perspective on the conflict between white settlers and Native Americans.
Analysis of Characters in Burn
Burn’s main character, Daniel Byrne, is a conflicted and flawed hero. He struggles with his faith, his responsibilities as a priest and an OMVI leader, and his personal demons. His sister, Trisha, is also a well-developed character who has a troubled past and a difficult relationship with Daniel. The Burned Man, the main antagonist, is a terrifying and mysterious figure with a twisted sense of morality. The other characters, including OMVI’s members and the Burned Man’s minions, are less fleshed-out but still serve their purpose in the plot.
Themes in The Revenant
The Revenant explores various themes, including survival, revenge, nature, and identity. The novel portrays the harsh realities of life in the wilderness and the struggle for survival against all odds. It also highlights the destructive effects of greed, betrayal, and violence. The novel’s portrayal of Native Americans challenges the stereotypical portrayal of them as savages and instead depicts them as complex and diverse cultures with their own customs and beliefs. The novel also raises questions about identity and the role of individual choice in shaping one’s destiny.
Themes in Burn
Burn also explores various themes, including possession, faith, family, and sacrifice. The novel portrays possession as a metaphor for the destructive influence of evil and the struggle for control over one’s own body and mind. It also raises questions about the role of faith in facing supernatural threats and the limitations of religion in dealing with modern problems. The novel’s portrayal of family highlights the importance of human connection and the sacrifices one is willing to make for the people they love. The novel’s ending also raises questions about the moral implications of victory and the cost of doing what is right.
Writing Style Comparison: Punke vs Emmerich
Punke’s writing style in The Revenant is descriptive, immersive, and lyrical. He uses vivid language to portray the beauty and brutality of the wilderness and the characters’ emotions and thoughts. His prose is also infused with the themes of the novel, creating a cohesive and impactful narrative. Emmerich’s writing style in Burn is fast-paced, intense, and cinematic. He uses short chapters, cliffhangers, and action sequences to create a sense of urgency and suspense. His prose is also straightforward and accessible, making the novel an easy and engaging read.
Setting Comparison: The Wilderness vs Urban City
The Revenant’s setting in the American wilderness is a character in itself. Punke’s vivid descriptions of the landscape, flora, and fauna create a sense of place and atmosphere that is both immersive and awe-inspiring. The wilderness also poses various challenges and dangers for the characters, creating a suspenseful and unpredictable story. Burn’s setting in an urban city is less prominent, but still serves the plot. Emmerich’s portrayal of the city’s dark alleys, abandoned buildings, and crowded streets creates a gloomy and claustrophobic atmosphere that matches the novel’s theme of corruption and decay.
Psychological Thriller Elements in The Revenant
The Revenant contains various psychological thriller elements, especially in Hugh Glass’s journey of survival and revenge. Punke explores the protagonist’s psyche and the effects of trauma, loss, and betrayal on his mental state. He also uses hallucinations, dreams, and flashback techniques to create a sense of disorientation and tension. The novel’s action sequences are also driven by the characters’ motivations, creating a sense of internal conflict and psychological depth.
Action-Packed Thriller Elements in Burn
Burn contains various action-packed thriller elements, especially in Daniel Byrne’s mission to save his sister and fight the Burned Man. Emmerich uses gunfights, car chases, explosions, and supernatural battles to create a sense of adrenaline-fueled excitement and spectacle. He also uses the novel’s supernatural elements imaginatively, creating unique and creative ways to depict possession and exorcism. The novel’s pacing is also relentless, with the plot rarely slowing down.
Cinematic Adaptation: The Revenant Movie vs Burn TV Series
Both The Revenant movie and Burn TV series adapt their source materials faithfully, but also make certain changes and additions to fit their respective formats. The Revenant movie expands on some of the minor characters and themes, and also creates a visual spectacle that captures the novel’s beauty and brutality. The performances of DiCaprio and Tom Hardy also add nuance and complexity to their characters. Burn TV series expands on the novel’s world-building and mythology, introducing new characters, organizations, and supernatural elements. The performances of Whitford and Leslie Bibb also add depth and humanity to their roles.
Reception and Criticism of The Revenant and Burn
The Revenant and Burn have received both positive and negative reviews from critics and readers. The Revenant has been praised for its immersive setting, complex characters, and lyrical prose, but also criticized for its slow pacing and certain historical inaccuracies. Burn has been praised for its fast-paced plot, engaging characters, and imaginative supernatural elements, but also criticized for its reliance on genre tropes and clichés.
Conclusion: Which Thriller Novel Stands Out?
Both The Revenant and Burn are excellent thriller novels that offer different but equally satisfying reading experiences. The Revenant is a literary historical fiction with vivid description, complex characters, and deeper themes. Burn is a contemporary supernatural thriller with fast pacing, imaginative action, and exciting supernatural elements. Which one stands out depends on your personal preferences and tastes. If you prefer a more grounded and historical thriller with a focus on character and theme, then The Revenant is for you. If you prefer a more fantastical and inventive thriller with a focus on action and spectacle, then Burn is for you. Either way, you are in for a thrilling ride.