Rating: 
Summary: "Oprah's Book Club" overlooked a fantastic book!
Review: "Two Old Women" has a strong, timeless message for young and old--never give up, no matter what the odds seem. I have read the book twice (thus far) and loaned it to at least a dozen people. Each person said it was "one of the best books" they had ever read and thanked me profusely for recommending it.
Rating:
Summary: A spare and moving story
Review: A friend gave me this book and Isabelle Allende's "Daughter of Fortune" at the same time. What a contrast between these two books! While "Daughter" was widely publicized, self-consciously overwritten, formulaic, and boring, "Women" was lean, full of very human characters, and ultimately very moving and enriching. This is a book I plan to reread every few years.Though some other reviewers have portrayed this book as a story of survival and the strength of older people, it is much more than that. It also speaks to personal worth, individuals' contributions to society, and the values of a community. I marvel at how the author packed so much into one thin volume.
Rating: 
Summary: Look Out Baby Boomers
Review: A great story and a must read for your children. Hand this book to the youngsters before they send you off to a care home.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent piece of Americana!
Review: A very dear friend gave me "Two Old Women" to read and I have since recommended it to countless other people. This book is not a story of the past -- it is an ongoing tale of our circle of life -- one which belongs to all of us. For anyone who has known an older person or who will be one some day, this is a must read book. I congratulate Ms. Wallis on her work and encourage her to make it available in every museum gift shop for it is truly a work of art.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent piece of Americana!
Review: A very dear friend gave me "Two Old Women" to read and I have since recommended it to countless other people. This book is not a story of the past -- it is an ongoing tale of our circle of life -- one which belongs to all of us. For anyone who has known an older person or who will be one some day, this is a must read book. I congratulate Ms. Wallis on her work and encourage her to make it available in every museum gift shop for it is truly a work of art.
Rating:
Summary: A moving, subtle, story - wonderful!
Review: A very good book! Written in an unusually straightforward language, it offers insight not only into the life and culture of northern Native Americans, but into our own life as well. Encourages us to think about the meaning of life, our expectations, and hopes for it. Subtly explores the strength of family ties and friendship, the simplicity of language serving to enhance the atmosphere of the book. It posesses the suprising feel of a story told, not read -
a story of strength, and love rediscovered.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking
Review: As you begin to read the book you are confronted with your own views of aging and survival. The two old women rediscover that they were able to do far more than they thought they could when it became a matter of survival. Do we as a society condemn our elderly to the same fate? Do we gradually take away their self-worth and dignity by trying to make them more dependant on us? Yes, there are some out there that do need special care, I do not refer to those. My grandmother sits around watching TV all day. The most she does for activity is go grocery shopping. I believe, given a challenge, she could do a lot more. Does this mean I want to leave her out in the snow to die , NO! There in lies the dilemma for us, how do we respectfully allow our elderly generation to maintain their once useful skills without putting them in a position of harm? Or is it only in such a position that humans "arise" to their inner strength?
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Summary: I want my grandmother to read this book.
Review: How many elderly feel useless? Feel like shadows of their former selves?
This is a story of what two elderly women can do. They can save the day. This is a story of true courage, heroism and the fight for survival.
I want my future children to read this book. How many young people don't respect their elders as they should? Wonder why they should bother? Resent having to talk to their grandparents on the phone?
This is a story of two fascinating women who are just as analytical and emotional, kind and vengeful as anyone else. They have cliffhanger choices to make, that would keep any young person in suspense.
And the choices they do make are lessons to us all.
I want North Americans to read this book.
How many Americans are familiar with Native American culture? Traditions, history, diversity, literature? If we are going to LIVE in North America, we have an OBLIGATION to learn about the native people. AND ACCORD THEM SOME RESPECT.
Thank you, Velma Wallis, for this treasure that you share with us.
Rating:
Summary: A real tale of courage and the strength of the human spirit
Review: I actually read this book through class, it is a simple, strong book
Rating:
Summary: Thank you Velma for sharing this legend
Review: I bought this book because of my interest in and friendships with Gwich'in Indians I have met. I have heard a few stories spoken and still want to learn others. I realize that it may not have been a supported idea to bring this story to print to share with the outside world, but I am very happy she did. She has a talent for writing and the story itself is a beautiful testament to friendship, perserverance, dignity, love, resourcefulness and many other qualities that any of us would be proud to possess. I will recommend this book to people of all ages and backgrounds, and especially to those facing hardships.
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