Paulsen’s most well-known work of fiction is Hatchet (1986). This novel documents the survival of 13-year-old Brian, stranded after a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet.

In The Transall Saga, Paulsen integrates features of survivalist literature into the context of a fantasy/sci-fi novel: Mark must draw on his survival skills to navigate the strange and otherworldly Transall. Similar to Brian’s journey in Hatchet, Mark grows in confidence as he survives challenging circumstances. Both of these coming-of-age stories require their protagonists to hone their survival skills and resilience in order to survive, and in doing so, they develop confidence, courage, and emotional growth.

The fate of Earth in The Transall Saga is shaped by contemporary concerns: In the 1990s, many people harbored fears about the threat of nuclear war, as well as Ebola’s potential to kill millions. Ebola, which is thought to have originated from bats before transferring to humans, was becoming increasingly prevalent in West Africa during the 1990s. The mortality rate of those who contract the virus is high, particularly for those who aren’t vaccinated (furthermore, some strains do not have vaccines developed). This prompted global concerns that the virus might spread, and continue to mutate into more dangerous strains for which vaccines did not exist.