Tomorrow Is a River

by Barbara Fitz Vroman, Peggy H. Dopp

Caroline Quimby, deserted by her husband, Reverend Quimby, is befriended by Kemink Tartone, a Menominee Indian woman and together they struggle to survive a bitter Wisconsin winter

Genres: Historical Fiction

390 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1977

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Caroline, a woman whose husband blames her, then leaves her for giving birth to what he sees as a less than perfect child, is one of hardship, the strength of women, and the power of unconditional love. I find some of the accounts of the Civil War are a bit too lengthy, but even so, they are a very small part of the story.

This book holds a special place in my heart, as my great-grandmother Peggy Hanson Dopp co-wrote it. She enlisted the help of an experienced writer, but it truly is her story. I know I'm biased, but this book is definitely worth reading!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out with a young couple, Adam and Caroline, going to the wilderness of WI. He is a 'holier that thou' circuit preacher. They build a cabin near Tomorrow river. Through more than one abandonment of Caroline and her young son, finally Caroline tells him to go and never come back. You will learn about faith, wilderness living, Chicago as a young city coming of age, the Civil War, and finally the Peshdigo Wisconsin fire that burns millions of acres. We do not hear about the Michigan and Wisconsin fires because the Chicago fire happened at the same time but the death tolls were higher in the MI an WI fires. I wonder how accurate the writing of the Civil War is. Two friends write back and forth describing the war battles and what happens in Chicago's Fort Douglas.

[Gerianne Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline is a very courageous woman, and the heroine of the story. I love a good book where there is a strong female character. Awesome book! Great for early Wis. and Ill. history.would love to know what happened to the children in the story. What happened to Firefly as she grew up, and the others in the home? Wish there was a sequel!!

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother-in-law gave me a copy of this book. It's about about at woman who lives by the Tomorrow River in Wisconsin in the mid-late 1800's. Great historical detail about life in the wilderness, faith, love, forgiveness, friendship, family, over coming hard times. So, so good.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

150 pages into it since this morning and regretting I have plans for the afternoon. Anyone familiar with Wisconsin and interested in history and a good story should give this a try.

[Jackie Bethke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh... this book. While it has some rushed feeling and hasty plot points , I feel that the characters are so rich and grounded and have made me feel such a range of emotion (nearly applauding, to resisting the urge to hurl the book across the room) that it deserves an almost perfect rating.
I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of rural Wisconsin, and the history included, even if it felt a bit clumsy at times.

[Karen Terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book about forty years ago. I found it again on my "favorite books" shelf and reread it this month. It is a beautiful book, and was as inspiring for me this month as it was forty years ago. The author masterfully weaves historical fact with complex and interesting characters. The dialogue is natural, the pacing is perfect, the plot is compelling, and the messages of love and courage are important.

[Lfoster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a Wisconsin girl, I had to give this book a 5. My family farmed near the Tomorrow River, so it was a wonderful historical view of both the natives and the first white settlers in the area. There was so much more to the book, too, including a woman's perspective of survival in a distant, undeveloped land, an inside look at missionary fanaticism, life in Chicago pre-Civil War, and community life in rural Wisconsin post-war. A beautifully spun tale from the homeland.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was published in 1977 and written by a local author. The story takes place in the area of Wisconsin that we live and had many familiar names and locations. The book is historical fiction with believable characters who are brave, strong and loyal. Family relationships and loyalty is a theme that is woven throughout the book.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaac's grandmother wrote this book! It is well written and kept me on edge of what will happen next (some predictable, some not so much) which lead to a satisfying read. It takes place in Wisconsin for the most part, which is also fun to imagine familiar places in a different era. Would highly recommend.

[Naberius]

WANT

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a little long, but had some very interesting stories ...

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which takes place in the mid 1800’s. It begins in northern Wisconsin near the Tomorrow River, switches to Chicago and then returns to Wisconsin. The main character is a faith filled, strong, loving woman married to a proud, righteous preacher who is domineering and narrow minded. Their lives change when their daughter is born with a deformed arm. The middle section of the novel revolves around the Cicvil War. Readers learn of casualties and conditions via letters.
This is a book about faith, love and patience. The characters are definitely categorized as flawed or good. But despite their predictability the book is an easy good read.