Review – Two Old Women by Velma Wallis (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Folktale
Length: 160 pages
Publisher: Perennial
Release Date: July 13, 1994
ISBN-13: 978-0060975845
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Gift
Rating: 4/5 stars

“Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River area 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 two women have been known to complain more than contribute, they now must either survive on their own or die trying.”

I got this book from my mom (they are moving and wanted to get rid of some books). This was a surprisingly engaging novella/folk tale about two old women who are abandoned by their tribe during a particularly tough winter.

Both the tribe and the old women end up learning a lot about their limits and what is important to them as a result of this abandonment. It was a quick read and a good story. I found myself surprisingly sucked into the tale. I enjoyed the survival elements and hearing about people of that time and how they survived in such harsh conditions.

The writing style is very stark and simple (normally not my favorite style of writing to read) but it matched the style of the tale well.

Overall a well done folktale that I enjoyed reading. I would recommend if you are interested in tribal Alaska, survival, or the process of aging.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Goodreads Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge