I am trying to recall the name of a book I read in the 80's. It was a true story of an American woman and her young daughter who were befriended by a man who spent much of his life travelling/ living in the jungles of South America. Together they lived for some time in a jungle region growing their own food, building their own shelter etc. What makes this story special is that the woman, whose eyesight is failing goes completely blind. Her daughter dies from an illness and the man dies as well (can't remember how). She is left on her own in this jungle and finds a way to survive dispite her blindness. She is eventually rescued.
I think her last name is Smart.
I lent the darn book to so many people and in the process I never got it back. Does anyone recall such a book? This is driving me nuts!!!!!

Does the name Edith Nesbit ring any bells? Os is it far off?

Yes! I also read that book in the 80s. No! I can't remember the title. I seem to remember that the woman was ill-treated by her friend, but that could be another book entirely. It was a very interesting book...I would like to read it again.

Found it!

'The Survival of Jan Little' by Jon Man

Becky wasen't it an amazing book? Not only was she blind but she was deaf. Yes the man (who was her husband) was a terrible brut who treated her badly for years. I've heard that she lives in Seattle now. I want to find a copy and read this again.

Thanks Helg : )

Of course! I will go out and look for it this weekend. I enjoy re-reading books that I read years ago....sometimes I find that time has changed my opinion or view of things. I think it's called "growing up". LOL. Whatever, I'm really looking forward to this book again. Thanks.