Half memoir, half how-to manual, Possum Living is a quirky, fun book, detailing how Dolly Freed and her father manage to do more than survive after her mother leaves the family with no money, and no source of income. With little more than their home, they have no choice but to adapt to their new circumstances and demonstrate that it’s not only possible to live on very little, but to enjoy doing it.

Although the book was written in the early 1970s, when Freed was just 18 years old, and some of the ideas are a bit outdated (which Freed now admits), it’s still a pleasant journey. The narration, done by the author herself, is spot-on, and fits perfectly with the writing. Her tone is conversational and friendly — Freed is personally telling a great story, rather than reading words from a page. Her emotions, generally positive, flow freely, and give the listener a true sense of Dolly.

Freed and her father quickly accept their new frugal lives because they have to, although she makes it clear on numerous occasions that they prefer “possum living”; it’s simpler and there’s no stress. Although she’s upfront about her mother abandoning them, thus forcing them into this lifestyle, she’s never bitter or angry. It may not have been addressed in her writing, but the glowing style and happiness she uses to describe everything from gutting fish to making moonshine is hard to fake.

The afterword is an important part of the book, giving the listener a peek into Dolly’s life post-possum living. Refreshingly, although she speaks fondly of those times, Freed now professes a love for air conditioning and has no plans to live without it. She admits to being idealistic at a young age, and is not afraid to admit that she disagrees with some of the writings and opinions she expressed when she was younger. —Lesley Grossman