Two old women, left to starve by their Alaskan tribe, discover strengths they never knew they had.
This is the first “midlife” book review I’ll be posting in this space. Some of you already know that my carefully curated collection on Facebook was recently obliterated, so I’m trying to recreate it here. I put midlife in quotes because really, it’s any book I loved (fiction or memoir) where the main characters are over, say, 45. But ideally, much older than that. In this case, the younger woman is seventy-five. It’s a story of survival and resilience. Here’s my review, and if you want to see it on Amazon, click on the book above.
Two Old Women is based on an Athabascan Indian legend. A starving tribe of Alaskan natives leaves two old women alone in the freezing cold to die, because every mouthful of food is precious, and these two are unhelpful. They don’t contribute to the tribe; they take from it. People have to help them. They complain constantly.
Once the tribe leaves them, though, they must decide whether to accept the death sentence or not. The younger woman says we might die anyway, but if that is so, let’s at least die trying to live. So they adopt that motto. At least let’s die trying. They manage to avert death by recalling long-unused knowledge of survival skills. In spite of their old, achy bodies, they thrive and bond with each other, but they are lonely and sad.
Eventually, there’s a happy ending, which I’ll let you discover for yourself. If you’re like me, you’ll reread it, crying with joy each time.
But the message of this book is multi-faceted. Elders can and should continue to contribute until the end. Youth should respect the elders for their valuable knowledge. All people benefit from this synergy.
Two Old Women is a short book. I read it in one evening. I heartily recommend it, particularly to those who are older and feeling ignored, useless, or confused. This book will get you up and moving, and it will make you happy.
I love hearing from you, Lynne. I loved this book and need to get myself a new copy as I gave mine away (to someone who really really needed to read it). Keep on blogging!
Thanks, Jan! Right back atcha.
I loved this book and have read it more than once. It’s inspirational. I’m glad you enjoyed it, too.
It really is inspirational. My favorite scene is when (spoiler alert for anybody who hasn’t read it!)…
Okay, to continue: when the hunting party is invited to share their tent, toward the end, and the two old women finally are able to relax. Oh, I love that.
Hi Lynn; it is so nice to see your blog again. In 2013 when I originally began my blog, you were my guiding light. You are such a prolific writer and your books are all such good reads.
be well.xok
I remember you, too, Kate! Good to hear from you again. I had gotten away from blogging with everything else going on, but now just doing book reviews and the occasional “howdy” post.
Well, Lynne, you say your “carefully curated collection on Facebook was recently obliterated.” That’s awful, but you are recreating here. That’s what we authors do because he have to, and because we are not quitters.
Thanks for the review here. If you say this book is one you’d re-read, that’s high praise. I just finished Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds. Maybe you have heard of it since it’s a best seller and deserves to be. Elsa is under 45, but she has an indomitable spirit, living through the Dust Bowl, the Depression, and more.
Thanks for the recommendation for Velma Wallis’ book. I am definitely older; I don’t feel useless but sometimes feel ignored and confused. Make me happy? I’m IN!
Thanks, Marian! I DID read The Four Winds. I liked it very much, because I’m a Kristin Hannah fan. She’s a really good writer. Goes deep on relationships. I review a lot of books because (a) I enjoy it, and (b) otherwise I can’t remember reading them! So here is my review of The Four Winds. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3847279305