Deathwatch (book)
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Deathwatch is a book authored by Robb White and published in 1972. The book was awarded the 1973 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery from the Mystery Writers of America.
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[edit] Plot summary
It features a skilled, successful hunter and business man, Madec, who goes to the desert after receiving a rare permit to shoot bighorn in the desert. He hires a 22-year-old college student named Ben, who is to help show Madec where the bighorn are.
After the third day of the venture, Madec accidentally shot an old prospector, and he wanted Ben to keep it a secret, as he was a man of importance who did not have time to sit in jail. Ben said that the honest thing to do was for the two of them to report the accidental shot, but Madec had other ideas. Ben was stubborn and refused to comply with Madec. As a result, Madec gave Ben two choices. Madec could shoot Ben on the spot, or Ben could make an attempt to escape the desert by walking 45 miles to the nearest highway without clothes, food, or water. And worst of all was that Madec would make sure Ben wouldn't make it and that he would be watching him the whole way.
By the end of the book, Ben escapes the desert, and Madec is put to justice. Ben discredits Madec by explaining how Madec lied about several things. One included the clothing of Les, the game warden. Madec claimed that Les was wearing the game warden uniform. However, according to Ben, Les wore a purple shirt, yellow shorts, and white shoes, which was different from the game warden uniform. After that no one in the hearing believed what Madec said. The doctor that examined Ben and Madec proved that Madec shot the old man.
[edit] Critical response
In addition to the Edgar Award, Deathwatch has been widely acclaimed as a good book for young readers. Other awards and mentions are:
- ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults
- New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year
- New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
[edit] Other adaptations
The book was also the basis for the 1974 TV movie Savages starring Andy Griffith (as Madec) and Sam Bottoms (as Ben).
[edit] References
- Amazon.com product description page
