With the publication of "Two Old Women, " Velma Wallis firmly
established herself as one of the most important voices in Native
American writing. A national bestseller, her empowering fable won the
Western State Book Award in 1993 and the Pacific Northwest Booksellers
Association Book Award in 1994. Translated into 16 languages, it went on
to international success, quickly reaching bestseller status in Germany.
To date, more than 350,000 copies have been sold worldwide.
"Bird Girl and the Man Who Followed the Sun" follows in this bestselling
tradition. Rooted in the ancient legends of Alaska's Athabaskan Indians,
it tells the stories of two adventurers who decide to leave the safety
of their respective tribes. Bird Girl is a headstrong young woman who
learned early on the skills of a hunter. When told that she must end her
forays and take up the traditional role of wife and mother, she defies
her family's expectations and confidently takes off to brave life on her
own. Daagoo is a dreamer, curious about the world beyond. Longing to
know what happens to the sun in winter, he sets out on a quest to find
the legendary "Land of the Sun." Their stories interweave and intersect
as they each face the many dangers and challenges of life alone in the
wilderness. In the end, both learn that the search for individualism
often comes at a high price, but that it is a price well worth paying,
for through this quest comes the beginning of true wisdom."A wonderful
read. Wallis's writing is simple yet rich...The story delivers a message
of overcoming hardship, of being true to yourself even when it is the
most difficult thing to do." "--West Coast Review of Books"
