Caterpillar House is a beautifully uplifting novel by Aja Mie, marking the beginning of a tender love story that delicately explores themes of transformation, memory, and belief. Infused with the enchanting world of butterflies and moths—the study of which is called Lepidopterology—this tale promises a journey of hope and resilience.
At its heart are Janey Ingalls and her husband, Rick, who share a delightful "fairytale life" in a charming countryside home. However, their story takes a poignant turn as Rick, a devoted lover of all things Lepidoptera, faces the challenges of dementia and requires in-home hospice care.
As Janey takes on the role of caregiver, she finds herself navigating the complexities of love and loss. The attic bedroom transforms into a cozy sanctuary, even as the weight of their situation sometimes feels heavy. Just three weeks after Rick’s diagnosis, their idyllic property becomes the surprising home of a vibrant caterpillar swarm, turning their yard into a living tapestry of nature. Janey, believing in the magic of transformation, lovingly decides to preserve the cocoons, feeling that to destroy them would mean losing a part of Rick.
As night, moths flutter into their home through tiny window cracks, gently brushing against Janey's skin, which she affectionately refers to as "butterfly kisses." The playful sounds of animals below create a warm ambiance, and she whimsically calls it their “basement apartment.”
Amid the main story, Janey shares delightful accounts of Rick’s remarkable adventures, as she documents his past in search of "inklings of truth" hidden among the tales. Rick was a true lover of the skies, known for his daring spirit and a rooftop adorned with a ship's tiller. He found joy in high places, moths, and the magic of meteors.
Each story Janey reveals is a glimpse of the extraordinary man Rick once was. There's the thrilling tale of how he saved a fireman dangling from a cliff, and the time he disarmed a robber, later giving the man a second chance with a job. And whimsical adventures, like the time he supposedly tamed a cougar on Mount Rainier with delicious roast beef sandwiches or nurtured a cocoon that revealed a stunning purple hyacinth butterfly "as big as a salad dish" right in his hands.
These anecdotes beautifully capture the essence of Rick, reminding Janey of the vibrant, adventurous spirit he embodied before dementia began to cloud his remarkable mind. Each memory is a celebration of love, and the wonder of his colorful past.
Continuing the enchanting tale of Rick's life, the climax unfolds in a moment filled with both challenge and wonder. As Rick’s health takes a sudden downturn, the structure of their beloved home begins to mirror his struggle. After a serious fall, he finds himself in the hospital, and Janey’s heart aches with worry when he starts to hemorrhage.
When Rick gets to return home, a remarkable transformation echoes the magic of nature surrounding them. Janey looks outside to see the caterpillars have metamorphosed into millions of vibrant moths and butterflies, their wings creating a gentle symphony as they tap joyfully against the windows. The world outside is alive with color, mirroring the beating of her hopeful heart.
The creatures beneath the house also stir. The very foundation seems to groan and shake, whispering of change as the old structure feels like it’s bursting with new life. Then, in a breathtaking moment of clarity, Rick rises from his bed, a spark of old strength igniting within him. “He was new again,” Janey thinks with a smile.
With determination in his eyes, Rick climbs to the roof, firmly grasping the ship’s tiller that once defined his adventurous spirit. As he embraces the sky, he declares the house his ship, ready for launch. From below, Janey watches in awe as a magnificent swarm of butterflies and moths synchronizes in a dazzling display, converging on the house with a gentle power and then an unbelievable event occurs. It’s would be a moment of sheer magic—an emblem of love, hope, and transformation.
In this uplifting journey of resilience, Janey and Rick remind us that love can truly elevate even the most challenging circumstances, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Reviewed by: James B.
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