Does anyone know the title of this book?  About 15 years ago, I read a
personal account of how two people built their own house in a
hard-to-reach area in the U.S.  It was an account of how they actually
built it and the construction problems, but the real theme was their
goal to live simply and live close to the land.  I think they were
women but I'm not certain. What is the title?

Hello doctor122442,


I believe the book you have in mind is The Earth House by Jeanne Duprau.

Hardcover edition (1992) from New Chapter Press
Paperback edition (1993) from Ballantine Books

Book Description

?They hadn't pictured themselves as the sort of people to take up
Eastern spiritual practice. But on their first visit to a Zen center, 
two women discover something that speaks to them on a level deeper
than their everyday experience, and they begin to make a new plan for
their lives. What if they were to give up their suburban comforts and
build a house beside a monastery in the mountains??

?As the walls of the house go up, the two women make and re-make
plans, wrestle with a chainsaw, learn to make windows, and set up a
computer powered by the sun. Their spiritual practice transforms their
vision of the house, and the building of it transforms them both. But
their endeavor leads to an ending, not a beginning -- at least not the
kind of beginning they'd had in mind . . .?

(?)

?The Earth House is Jeanne Duprau's account of her mid-life search for
meaning, her attempt to build a house in the Sierra foothills, and the
loss of her lover. It is simple, moving and uplifting, full of truth.
The Earth House is a wonderful book.?

Neofill
http://www.neofill.com/nf_0449908143.html


?A nonfiction book, "The Earth House," is a memoir of building a
rustic home, her experiences with Zen philosophy and the unfortunate
death of a close friend.?
Suite 101
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/childrens_writing/105648

About the author Jeanne DuPrau: 

?Several years ago, she published a memoir, "The Earth House," about
building a house in the foothills with her partner, who later died of
cancer.?
Almanac News 
http://www.almanacnews.com/morgue/2003/2003_06_04.duprau.html


This book is available at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0449908143/103-8989118-0440621?v=glance&n=283155&SubscriptionId=1ZZY9ATAZCVM1HJ6QP02


Search terms used: 
novel OR book "about two women" "construct OR build a house


Best regards,
Bobbie7

This is perfect.  Thank you so much!!!!!