Caroline: Little House, Revisited

Written by Sarah Miller

Narrated by Elizabeth Marvel

In this novel authorized by the Little House estate, Sarah Miller vividly recreates the beauty, hardship, and joys of the frontier in a dazzling work of historical fiction, a captivating story that illuminates one courageous, resilient, and loving pioneer woman as never before—Caroline Ingalls, ""Ma"" in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved Little House books.

In the frigid days of February, 1870, Caroline Ingalls and her family leave the familiar comforts of the Big Woods of Wisconsin and the warm bosom of her family, for a new life in Kansas Indian Territory. Packing what they can carry in their wagon, Caroline, her husband Charles, and their little girls, Mary and Laura, head west to settle in a beautiful, unpredictable land full of promise and peril.

The pioneer life is a hard one, especially for a pregnant woman with no friends or kin to turn to for comfort or help. The burden of work must be shouldered alone, sickness tended without the aid of doctors, and babies birthed without the accustomed hands of mothers or sisters. But Caroline’s new world is also full of tender joys. In adapting to this strange new place and transforming a rough log house built by Charles’ hands into a home, Caroline must draw on untapped wells of strength she does not know she possesses.

For more than eighty years, generations of readers have been enchanted by the adventures of the American frontier’s most famous child, Laura Ingalls Wilder, in the Little House books. Now, that familiar story is retold in this captivating tale of family, fidelity, hardship, love, and survival that vividly reimagines our

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Sep 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9780062695789

Sarah Miller

Sarah Miller began writing her first novel at ten years old and has spent half her life working in libraries and bookstores. She is the author of Caroline: Little House, Revisited, and Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller, which was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and nominated for numerous state award lists. Sarah lives in Michigan. 

Reviews for Caroline

[Christie Anderson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book definitely has the soul of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, but I think it diverged a bit in order to seem like a more modern and adult perspective. I think in doing so, they took some of Caroline's voice from her and made her far more submissive than she was and softer in areas a woman of the time would not have been. Also, there was a tendency to wax poetic and drag a scene on far longer than it needed to be. I also count myself among those who didn't want to think of Caroline and Charles in a sexual manner. I don't mind sex scenes in books, when it is organic; here, it didn't feel so organic and was out of place. In all, I enjoyed the book, but there were moments I wanted to stop reading it or my mental eye was rolling.

[Laura Lane · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book, but not for kids. The intimate scenes between Caroline and Charles had to be fast forwarded through. Otherwise, it was a fascinating read.

[Becki Basley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Caroline Little House Revisited by Sarah Miller (Scribd audiobook loan)
Even though Since I read ghost in the little house A life of Rose Wilder Lane by William Holz, I’ve been more intrigued by her life than her mother;I have read about every book written And Laura Ingalls Wilder .

So I immediately read this book because Ma Ingalls has always been an illusive figure. Caroline changes that but telling their story from her point of view. How she fought at times to control her temper, how she felt about a lot of things but kept it to herself. It also showed her as a woman in love with her husband including some detailed bedroom scenes. But all in all the book does a good job of presenting her as Caroline and not as just her illusive role. I’d recommend it to anyone who interested in the little house series.

[Christie Regan Joehl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful story told from Ma Ingalls’ perspective. Note of caution: not all chapters are rated for young audiences. Not a family listen on the whole. Graphic sexual scenes depicted on occasion. Two or three times. Not frequent, but I had to turn it off when my kids were in the room a few times.

[vanderschloot · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a very beautifully written book. Miller did an excellent job of capturing some of the things readers love so much about the Little House books without writing a derivative novel. The novel beautifully describes the minutiae of the Ingalls' lives on the road and on the Kansas prairie, detailing the food, labor, and people that they encounter. This was always my favorite part of the Little House books, and as with those, I learned so much from reading this book, and felt like I could really see their lives. The details here are much earthier than in the Little House books, which suits the fact that it is written from the point of view of an adult, Caroline, Laura's mother. We get here a much stronger sense of the dirt and sweat and filth of their very difficult life out on the prairie. Caroline, again, as befits a woman in her position, works very hard to hold in her emotions, happy and sad and often angry feelings, and we therefore get a really sharp sense of the real woman behind Laura's stern Ma. Miller has made her a real woman with a very full inner life. At times I felt like we got to spend a little too much time in her head, and the novel felt a bit anachronistic in the way it described Caroline's at times intense navel-gazing. That's of course not to say that I don't think such a woman would have a rich inner life; rather, the way in which she so obsessively thinks about her various emotions and reactions felt very Baby Boomer and touchy-feely, and thus not really accurate to the time period and culture Miller delineates with such care otherwise. I admit, too, that it made me cringe a bit to read about Ma and Pa having sex! But obviously that's because I know these characters from Laura's point of view. Miller has done a great job bringing Caroline to life as a 3-dimensional woman coping with incredible hardship.

[Thea Kavanaugh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Delightful story. I appreciated the details surrounding the every day life of the family, their journey, thoughts, challenges and appreciations. I would recommend it for light reading.

[micareads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you grew up loving the Little House on the, Prairie series like I did then you will really enjoy this book. It's the story of the move from Wisconsin to Kansas as told through Ma's eyes.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book on CD performed by Elizabeth Marvel3.5*** Readers familiar with Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series, will find this very familiar. Miller chooses to retell Wilder’s stories for an adult audience, focusing on Laura’s mother, Caroline. I really enjoyed this work of historical fiction. Miller does not gloss over the very real challenges of pioneer life – the lack of supplies, or routine comforts we take for granted. There were many elements in this part of their lives to produce anxiety and fear, and I can understand Caroline’s perspective, given her limited knowledge, though I cringed at the her attitudes towards the Native American population. I think Miller does a reasonable job of balancing Caroline’s prejudice with Charles’s stead non-judgmental approach (and Laura’s excitement about a new experience).Caroline is a strong women, with a certain confidence and a practical approach. She is certain her husband will see them through, but sometimes fails to see her own strength – physically, mentally and emotionally. Also, she is fiercely protective of her young girls (when they set out, Mary is five and Laura only three years old). She reminds herself that she must protect and shield her children, refusing to show her own fear lest she further frighten them. Miller does not gloss over the very real challenges of pioneer life – the lack of supplies, or routine comforts we take for granted. Elizabeth Marvel does a fine job narrating the audiobook. I really felt as if I were listening to Caroline relate her own reminiscences of that time.

[marquis784-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Caroline: Little House, Revisited by Sarah Miller

September 2017

I received this hardcover book from William Morrow through GoodReads Giveaways in exchange for an unbiased review.

It has been many years since I had read the Laura Ingalls Wilder Books. I was pleased to be able to read Caroline’s view of life on the prairie. The author received permission from the Little House Heritage Trust to write this book which closely resembles what she discovered in her research. From a child’s perspective growing up in rural America can seem idyllic but for an adult the reality is literally cold and hard. I appreciated the author’s presentation of the stark monotonous journey from Wisconsin to Kansas by horse and carriage. Thoughts of living and traveling as a pioneer soon fade when the reality of their adventure is exposed. The cold wet weather made it impossible to cook any food which left little for them to eat except cheese, crackers and fruit.

Overall, the story seemed to lag especially as it details a rather bleak journey in terrible weather. The story is fascinating but the reading of it felt more like a task than enjoyment. It is very informative for the The Little House fan. It might prove dull reading for anyone not familiar with the story.

[joyceclark · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love the Little House books, and recently finished "Prairie Fires," a biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder. So I am solidly within the target audience for this book. Luckily, I thought it was pretty good. A little slow, perhaps, in spots, but I enjoyed getting Caroline's perspective of the events described in "Little House on the Prairie," particularly the nuts and bolts of traveling in a covered wagon with two young children, trying to feed everyone with very limited resources, etc. One of the attractions for me of the Little House books was imagining what it would have been like to live in the mid-1800s, so this additional perspective was really interesting.

[clue_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This fictional account of Caroline Ingalls, the mother of Laura Ingalls Wilder, was authorized by the Little House Heritage Trust. It begins shortly before Caroline and her husband Charles leave family and friends in Wisconsin to settle in Kansas, Indian Territory in 1870. it was during this time that the Territory was being reclaimed by the United States and the Indians were being relocated in Oklahoma IT.It's unlikely I would have read this had it not been my book club's selection for this month. In general I think the experiences of pioneer women in fiction are rarely realistic. I was pleased the author included the lack of female companionship as a hardship for Caroline and that Caroline acknowledges, though only to herself, that she has sacrificed and put both herself and her children in harms way so that her husband can follow a dream she doesn't share. The book could have been more concise but overall was interesting enough to keep me reading.

[foggidawn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Caroline, her husband Charles, and her daughters Mary and Laura travel from Pepin, Wisconsin, to Indian Territory in Kansas. Caroline is pregnant during the journey, and gives birth to baby Carrie in their snug little cabin on the Kansas prairie.This story stays close to the events of Little House on the Prairie, with a few notable digressions to accommodate the historical record of the Ingalls family's travels, which Wilder had streamlined a bit for her stories. This book is as firmly rooted in Caroline's perspective as the Little House books are in Laura's. There's a lot about the mystical power of womanhood (not couched in those terms, of course, but Caroline does wax eloquent about it in the privacy of her own mind) -- pregnancy, giving birth, nursing -- and, of course, a lot about all of the hard work a woman's life typically comprised in that period, particularly when traveling by wagon or setting up a homestead. There's relatively little about the girls, which is disconcerting. And, in an attempt to stay close to the source material (I think), Laura does not make a very convincing 3-year-old (because Wilder fudged the timeline, Laura seems slightly older in the Little House books, so it's less surprising for her to be as articulate and self-aware as she is). I had some trouble relating to Caroline, who comes across as rigid and stoic, seeing tears as shameful (I see no shame in crying when you are leaving all of your relations behind, possibly never to see them again -- or, for that matter, in crying when you've just dropped a log on your ankle). But this book does give readers a window into her internal life. I think readers who loved the Little House books are most likely to enjoy this one, though it will also appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction from a female perspective. Notably, the problematic attitudes towards Native Americans that exist in the original book are present here, as well, though softened and mitigated a bit. The author's note admits that the Ingalls' opinions and attitudes were unjustified, based on their own prejudices -- but if that's an aspect of the original that bothered you, you may want to be aware that it exists here, as well.

[bemislibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a fascinating fictional historic account of Caroline Lake Ingalls, mother of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House Books. Caroline story recounts the trials and tribulations they faced during a move from Wisconsin to Kansas. Unlike the Little House books, author Miller focuses on adult perspectives and includes adult behavior. This is not the feel good carefree story you find in the original books or television series. The settings, descriptions, and character actions are appropriate to the period. In this fictional account, Caroline is not perfect. There are sexual desires, self-doubts, and a different perspective to her husband, Charles that will be disconcerting and even upsetting to readers enamored with Wilder’s portrayal of Caroline.I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[bucketofrhymes · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Thank you to Goodreads and the publisher for a free copy of Caroline!

Hoo boy. I was a huge fan of the Little House series. Let’s start with that. I had entire parts of the books memorized, I read them so much. I was obsessed with the TV show. I dressed like a pioneer for several years for Halloween (and also just, you know, in my normal life). When my mom would read me the novels before bed, I’d — half-asleep and super into the story — start to answer as if I was Laura.

Which is all to say that when I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. And simultaneously, I was a bit afraid to read it.

The thing is, so much of what I loved as a kid about Little House now sounds terrible to me as an adult. Honestly, I don’t know how Ma put up with being snowed in all winter, with all of Charles’ big ideas and bad luck, with the sheer loneliness and isolation she must have felt. Looking at this series through adult eyes would be a heck of a trip, and probably uncomfortable at times.

Except I don’t think this book did that. This book stayed true to Laura Ingalls and the tone she used throughout her books. On the one hand, I commend the author for how perfeclty she captured the voice. No wonder this book was authorized by the Little House Estate. It feels like a book in the series, all practicality and resourcefulness.

That also turned out to be what I didn’t want to read. Firstly, because it didn’t feel like a new perspective exactly, so why didn’t I just reread some of the series and imagine? And secondly, because of the sex scenes.

I’m not a prude in terms of what I read, and I’m not naive. Obviously Caroline and Charles had sex, and there’s no reason why those scenes shouldn’t be included in a book about her. Except for the part where the book is written like a Little House book, where it FEELS so much like literature from my childhood that it makes for uncomfortable reading.

So, I’m really impressed with how Sarah Miller has written this. She’s captured so much of what I love about Little House. Having said that, this also wasn’t the book that I wanted to read — I guess I was looking for a take that was further removed from the series I loved as a child, maybe one that was more adult in voice.

[tjblue · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One segment of the Little House story retold. It is told through Caroline's voice, showing the pioneer life through the eyes of a young wife and mother. I love all things Little House and think this is a great book! !! I really didn't want it to end! !

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Straight up a must read for any grown up Little House fan. This book did not disappoint! Caroline is told through the perspective of Ma and it starts right where Little House in the Big Woods ends. We saw Laura's carefree nature, Pa's strong unwavering love, Caroline's fears about giving birth in the plains with no other females around to assist her. This goes into more detail about the little things that readers always wondered but never knew, how the family went to the bathroom on the road, how childbirth went on the prairie, how the house was built, what was really going on with the Indians. It beautifully ties in with the series and lends an adult viewpoint to the stories we love so well. I would love to see more books that feature Caroline as an adult narrator, this was lovely!

[twink_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've just turned the last page of Caroline by Sarah Miller - and I'm truly sad that it's ended, as I find myself wanting more. I had hesitated when I was offered the opportunity to read Caroline, as The Little House books are childhood favourites of mine. I imagined myself as Laura in many a book (and the television series as well) and didn't want to sully my perception of 'Ma.'Well, I needn't have worried - Sarah Miller's portrayal of Ma has only added to my love of this series and given it more depth. The Little House books are of course told through Laura Ingalls Wilder's eyes. Caroline is told through Ma's eyes, thoughts, heart and actions. It's the perfect accompaniment for adult readers who grew up reading the Wilder books.Miller does a wonderful job of portraying Caroline - the love between her and Charles, both intellectual and physical. And of course the love for her children and her desire to raise them 'right'. Her inner dialogue is often in turmoil, but she presents a calm, measured countenance to the world.Just as well depicted are the details of the physical and mental strength needed, moving, settling in a raw land, raising children in this time and the details of daily life. But, along with those hardships are the moments of joy. Simple things - good weather, a kind neighbour, music, family and many more 'small' things. We all need to take a step back from our consumerism and enjoy the simple pleasures that life has to offer.As adults, we can view the prejudice and disturbing historical actions of moving the First Nations peoples to reserves with the contrition it deserves.Miller's author notes at the end explained a few departures from Wilder's memoirs. Miller had the permission of the Little House Heritage Trust. Caroline has found a place beside the Little House books on my bookshelf.

[whitreidtan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't remember reading Little House on the Prairie as a child, which is probably pretty strange for a little girl reader of a certain age. I do remember reading other books from around the time I would have been the perfect age and reading level for it so if I'd read it, I can only assume I would have remembered it. I only remember coming across it much later, in college when I took a Children's Literature class. And this is going to be blasphemy for many, I didn't love it then. In fact, I'm not even sure I offered it to my daughter when she was of an age and ability to read it (but I must have, right?). So why on earth would a novel from Caroline Ingalls' perspective of those events interest me? I really can't say other than to say that the human brain, and mine in particular, works in mysterious ways. Because from the minute I head about Sarah Miller's novel Caroline: Little House, Revisited, I have wanted to read it. What can I say?As the novel opens, the Ingalls family, Caroline (Ma), Charles (Pa), Mary, and Laura, is packing up their covered wagon to make the long trek from Wisconsin to Kansas, leaving behind their extended family, furniture, and everything that is usual for them. Charles is excited about the journey, eager to leave the known and to make a claim on the wide open prairie in Kansas. Caroline is more reticent about going, knowing that she is early in a pregnancy with their third child, fearful of moving to Indian territory, and reluctant to leave her loved ones, perhaps forever, but she is willing to follow her beloved Charles wherever he thinks they'll find the most opportunity. The months of travel in the tiny wagon, facing the reality of the hardships, both imagined and surprising, mothering two young and impressionable children, and suppressing her own thoughts and feelings to spare Charles or the girls takes a toll but Caroline rarely, if ever, complains aloud. While raising a house on a distant claim and turning it into a home, bringing a child into the world with only a stranger to assist her, and attending to her daily domestic sphere, Caroline's life is full of both overwhelming difficulty and ethereally beautiful moments.Caroline is very much the main character of the novel. There are glimpses of Mary and Laura as portrayed in the Little House series, but they are not the main focus at all. Although written in the third person, the novel is very much internal to Caroline. As she goes about her daily chores, the reader is privy to her thoughts and feelings about parenting, the prairie, being a wife, and the Indians who sometimes come uninvited into her very cabin. Her fears and sadness, as well as joys and delights, are pretty equally balanced in the portrayal and she is definitely a woman of her time. The plot flows placidly most of the time through the long journey and the domestic chores but it is occasionally interrupted by peaks of action as when they cross the swollen creek, the Indians arrive in the cabin, baby Carrie is born, or the fire sweeps towards them. With each of these incidents, it is clear that Miller has done extensive research, not just reconciling her story to the original Little House tale but also to what is historically accurate. Miller has drawn Caroline's feelings beautifully. Her love and frustration towards her children will resonate with any parent. The reality of love and marriage with children always within sight and hearing is carefully handled, much of it no more than musings and wishing on Caroline's part although there are a few more visceral moments as well. Readers who know Little House on the Prairie will know the entire story told here but it is interesting and different to see all the events through an adult's eyes instead of a child's. Miller has captured the sturdy loneliness of women settlers of the time in a nuanced and lovely way and those who are fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books as well as those interested in the women who helped their husbands push against the frontier will find this chronicle of life on the prairie to be a worthwhile and thoughtful read.

[standhenry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book, Caroline, is an in-depth look at one year in the life of Caroline Quiner Ingalls as she moves from Wisconsin to Kansas. Right from the start, I couldn't help but picture Ma from the Little House on the Prairie television series (Karen Grassle). Caroline keeps her thoughts to herself most of the time. She is a bundle of suppressed emotions. suppressed. When she does speak, she often regrets her words/actions. Charles is upbeat & humorous but also a bit clueless. It didn't occur to him that they might have broken thru the ice even though they made a late season crossing. Caroline did though but did not question his decision. This was usual for the time, but reading it now is astounding. While the day to day focused on chores and duties, the unknown of exciting and usually dangerous events pepper their lives throughout the year to include a sprained ankle, wolves, Indians, birth, fevers, and a fire. The unpredictability of life on the prairie was not for the weak of heart. She learns the difference between Enough and Plenty. Caroline is about Family, Friends, and Faith. Reading this book will make you grateful for everything we have today.