“No one should miss this beautiful legend.” — Tony HillermanBased on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska, this is the suspenseful, shocking, ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine.Though these women have been known to complain more than … these women have been known to complain more than contribute, they now must either survive on their own or die trying. In simple but vivid detail, Velma Wallis depicts a landscape and way of life that are at once merciless and starkly beautiful. In her old women, she has created two heroines of steely determination whose story of betrayal, friendship, community, and forgiveness “speaks straight to the heart with clarity, sweetness, and wisdom” (Ursula K. Le Guin).
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I loved this book. An Native American fable that teaches about human value.
Small (only about 160 pages) but great book. It has something for everyone regardless of gender or age even though it centers around two old women. There are teaching moments for living a good life, surviving when you don’t see a way, compassion, and forgiveness. It shows how when our lives take a departure from what we may have lapsed into …
This book is a wonderful character study of two older women who are thrown together in difficult circumstances. In order to survive, they must draw from their inner strength and learn to rely on each other. It is a study in tenacity and forgiveness. Highly recommend.
These two old women were amazing and almost didn’t realize their strength and ability until it was too late. I loved this short little story with the inspirational message
The elderly are human beings, too, and may indeed have societal contributions to make if only younger leaders would take the time to listed to voices of experience.
Simply well done and worth your time to read!
Folk lore is always inspirational! Wonderful learning story about what people have to give no matter what their age.
More a story than a book. Mans inhumanity to man never ceases to shock.
Loved it.
An improbable tale of two women cast out of an Alaskan tribe and left to die who persevere through a harsh winter and end up helping the tribe the next winter. This story was passed down through several generations and has the ring of truth. Drama and suspense, with an uplifting ending.
Two Old Women was an amazing book. It was very well written and gripped me emotionally. I could not put it down. The plot was really thought-provoking and It is still on my mind.
Inspirational, made me feel like if they could do I it, so could i. Realistic, interesting
I liked this story. As an older woman, it gave me hope!
This is a fascinating tale told simply. I loved it and sent a copy to a friend.
A very poignant story. A story of the courage and resoucefullness of two women deemed no longer worth being included in their tribe.
Enjoyed it
Lovely retelling of the legend.
Reminded us that we can all do so much more than we think we can.
I absolutely love this book. I have reread it twice and will read it again. I am approaching the ages of the two protagonists and found this a wonderful reminder that many of the limitations of age are in our minds
This beautiful old Alaskan legend could easily double for a modern day parable. Two old women are left behind when the starving tribe moves on in search of food one winter. This is the tale of their decision to “die trying” and their self-discovery as they realize they are better equipped than they thought to fend for themselves despite their …