The Silence of the North: The Incredible Story of a Woman's Fight For Survival in the Wilderness

by Olive A. Fredrickson, Ben East

The Silence of the The Incredible Story of a Woman's Fight For Survival in the Wilderness
(View amazon detail page)

B000J0D6RA

Genres: Memoir, History, Adventure

209 pages, Hardcover

Reviews

[Richard Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olive Fredrickson's story of her early life growing up in the Canadian wilderness is an exciting adventure suitable for both young and old, male and female as she deals with the death of her mother at an early age, grows up knowledgeable of the world of trapping and hunting in a part of the world almost completely unknown to the majority of North Americans. The knowledge she gained from her hardscrabble family upbringing in the wilderness carries her through to adulthood and marriage to her first husband, a trapper named Walter Reamer. Olive and Walter follow the trails of the Canadian North on trapping expeditions that place them and their young child in danger of drowning in the icy waters of Lake Athabasca and the Slave River as they treck into the wilderness for a winter's trapping and hunting. Fate steps in during the winter as the young couple makes one slight mistake after another in their choice of cabins, food supply, and preparation for living off the wilderness. On the doorstep of starvation and death by exposure to the elements, the couple set off in a desperate attempt in the subzero weather to reach another trapper's cabin. Lady luck peeps out for a moment as they stumble through a twenty mile ordeal. Returning to civilization, Olive remains in the safety of town with her children as her husband continues to trap each winter. When she is widowed, Olive moves briefly to the States and then returns to Canada, working hand to mouth for a number of years until she meets her second husband and they are able to make a living in a less hostile section of the wilderness up the Stuart river where they pan for gold, encounter grizzlies, and fabulous fishing. It's a memorable story with lessons for all of us about the realities of making choices in life and the consequences of making the wrong choice in the unforgiving climate and environment of the Canadian wilderness. An excellent read-aloud book!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and inspiring story of one woman's life in the northwest Canadian wilderness. Widowed at a young age Olive Fredrickson went on to live life amongst wolves, bears, moose and other wildlife, hunting, trapping and fishing for food, ranching, farming, and raising her children. She led a truly remarkable life, which she loved, and which she sums up in various ways including the following quote:

"I have eaten elaborate meals in some of the best restaurants in Vancouver and the other cities of western Canada, and I'll stack against the greatest of them trout form a cold mountain river, so fresh-caught that they curl when you drop them into the hot grease, served up with hot bread from a rusty little oven. Of course, the setting has to be right. There must be the smells of wood smoke and pine needles and sun-warmed earth drifting in through the open door of a low-roofed cabin as you eat, and snow peaks in the far distance are a help."

[Teressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars I received this antique book from a friend who also loves hiking the backcountry. While this book isn’t very well-written, and uses a humble, conversational, matter of fact style, the recounting of this woman’s incredible life experiences had me absolutely in thrall. It made me feel look a soft Easterner for sure, which I suppose, of course, I am. Haha. This is a must read for anyone who loves wild spaces, hunting big game, harrowing survival stories, and descriptions of natural landscapes and wild creatures. People interested in the settling of the West, Canada, and Alaska, will also enjoy it.

[Dennis McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

On my blog, Stories of Northern Canada and Alaska, https://www.chrisdennis111.com I posted a story about the special, tough people who survive in the subarctic wilderness—and love it. A lady who reads my blogs responded by telling me and my readers about Olive Fredrickson and her book.

I found it, and now I’ve read it. And I am utterly astounded. You will be too. Nobody lives a life like hers—nobody. But she did.

For those who ask, why are people willing to put up with the hardship and danger in that part of the world? Read this book, and you will know the answer.

[Anne Vandenbrink · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing account of living in Canada in the early 1900s. The hardships are unbelievable! First with her family when Olive was a child. Then with her husband and small child setting off on their own, hunting, trapping, fishing to stay alive. Dealing with harsh winters, bears, wolves, moose....and starvation. Then as a widow with 3 children, homesteading herself with some livestock and a garden, selling potatoes for flour, sugar, salt, etc., miles away from neighbors. It's difficult to imagine anyone living through this. This book will always stay with me.

[Arlene Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it. Very well written and such great detail

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing. If only I were that strong. True, my posh life in eastern USA does not require such of me. Loved reading about life up north.

[Gary Priesman · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was ok

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting story that is impossible to put down!

[Janette Smart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible journey of this woman’s life

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I really enjoyed reading this book.
It's December & I wear 3 -4 layers of clothes to walk my dog
& still the wind seems to blow right through me. It's hard
to understand how the author & others could survive the harsh
weather of the Canadian wilderness. Sometimes they wore
inadequate clothing, slept outside on pine boughs, fell into an
icy cold creek, or went without food, in danger of starvation.
Olive Fredrickson even had her infant daughter out there!
They were often harassed by bears and moose. Still, she
preferred the wilderness rather than city life.
If you like the outdoors, camping, survival stories, you will
enjoy reading "The Silence of the North".

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of a woman and family in northern wild Canada in first half of 1900's.

[Loay Al-khalaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!!