Butter in the well: A Scandinavian woman's tale of life on the prairie

Butter in the Well #1

by Linda K. Hubalek

A Scandinavian Woman's Tale of Life on the Prairie, 1868-1888 br/Butter in the Well Series, Book 1br/br/Read the fictionalized account of Kajsa Svensson Runeberg, an emigrant wife who recounts, through her diary, how she and her family built up a farm on the unsettled Kansas prairie from 1868 to 1888. br/br/This historical fiction is based on the actual Swedish woman who homesteaded the author's childhood home and is the first of the four book Butter in the Well series.br/br/#x201c;Go back to a time when there are no streets, roads or cars. Imagine there are no buildings, homes, hospitals or grocery stores around the corner. All of our family#x2019;s belongings fit in a small wooden wagon. The year is 1868. There is nothing but tall, green waving grass as far as the eye can see. The scent of warm spring air after a morning rain surrounds you. Spring blows gently in your face. The snort of the horse and an occasional meadowlark, whistling its call, are the only sounds. You are along on the virgin land of the vast prairie.#x201d;- opening paragraph of Butter in the Well.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1992

About the author

Linda Hubalek had written over fifty books about strong women and honorable men, with a touch of humor, despair, and drama woven into the stories. The setting for all the series is the Kansas prairie which Linda enjoys daily, be it being outside or looking out her office window.
Her historical romance series include Brides with Grit, Grooms with Honor, Mismatched Mail-order Brides, Rancher's Word, and the Clear Creek Legacy. Linda's historical fiction series, based on her ancestors' pioneer lives include, Butter in the Well, Trail of Thread, and Planting Dreams.
When not writing, Linda is reading (usually with dark chocolate within reach), gardening (channeling her degree in Horticulture), or traveling with her husband to explore the world.
Linda loves to hear from her readers and loves to know what they'd like to see her write next. Visit her website at www.LindaHubalek.com to contact her or read about all her books.

www.Facebook.com/lindahubalekbooks

Reviews

[Diane Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The woman is real, her diary is not. It was written by a woman who was raised in her house. As an historical account of the life of a Swedish family who were homesteaders in Kansas, it's probably very true to how it actually was.

[Angieleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, yet poignant.

I am a sucker for a good historical fiction book set out West as people claimed their homestead.

...I firmly believe this is because of my love for Little House on the Prairie growing up.

The author did her ancestors justice and I love that she wrote this in a series of journal entries spanning over several decades. She didn't hold back on the hardness of life out west, nor did she romanticize.

Overall, I really enjoyed this fictionalized account of her family and can't wait to read the second.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to pick this up at the local library, and found it to be a thorough and fairly realistic accounting of pioneer life on the Kansas prairie. Not as romanticized or idealistic as the "Little House" books, but still a reminder of how far our nation has come over the past 150 years. "Butter in the Well" is an imagined diary of Kajsa Swanson, a young Swedish bride who helps her husband carve a life for their family out of the stubborn Kansas prairie sod. While her family is spared some of the tragedies many others realize, she nonetheless loses her spouse at a relatively young age to a natural accident, and loses one child. Still, the family was already established and on its way to farming success when her husband is lost, so she was able to stay on the land and continue to raise five children (until a new husband arrived on the scene!). Especially in the latter chapters, it was striking to read of the number of children's deaths so many families repeatedly weathered. Sad, but how far away they were from medical attention of any kind in that place and time. And how HARD they labored, each day, just to stay warm and cook (and grow) their food! We are absolutely spoiled by comparison. A nice, quick historical read.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual book, but very enjoyable. I want to put up preserves and bake bread. Laundry over an open fire I can do without though.

[Teri Pre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit like Little House on the Prairie, told from Ma's point of view. I really enjoyed it!

[Jrobertus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming book and a fast and engaging read.Kajsa Svensson, born 1844, immigrated to central Kansas with her husband Carl and their baby in 1868. They built a dugout house and broke the virgin soil without benefit of a horse. This book is a mix of fact and fiction. The author lives on the very land these folks tamed, and was friends with their daughter. She, and other neighbors, related the immigrant’s tales to the author who also consulted local government and church records and walked the graveyards. This skeleton of facts was then fleshed out in the form of a diary that might have been written by Kajsa. It is reminiscent of the Little House series, and also the much darker Giants in the Earth. I believe it does a faithful representation of the lives of these pioneers. Their work load is astonishing, the number of baby births and early deaths is saddening, and yet these tough and optimistic people built a solid socity with close friends, shared experiences, churches and schools, all from the sweat of their brows. It is quite a moving book and a wonderful window on the people who built America. I couldn’t have done what they did.

[Dayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairly well written book. It is in journal form, which is in my opinion the easiest to throw together ... and at time that is how this book feels. I found it more interesting when I thought that it was derived from a real journal by a real Kansas pioneer ... when in fact the journal is a complete fiction. While the people were real (and the places) the author was only inspired by the history of her house and the original settlers. The only reason I give it four stars instead of three is because the details and descriptions of everyday pioneer life are very interesting ... the author did an wonderful job of writing it in such way that you note a detail, but it does not stand out of place as if Anna (the woman journaling) is writing it for the benefit of 21st century minds that cannot comprehend fearing losing a toddler in prairie grass that is taller than a man ...

If you enjoy pioneer history, or want to know more about Kansas history this is a good and easy read.

[Carol Tilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wholesome history lesson

This is the story of a young woman and her life in America. Born in Sweden, she and her husband become homesteaders in the late 1860's. Written as a journal, the struggles and the good times are a great reminder of what are ancestors lived through. Also a quick read.

[Jobiska (Cindy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not quite as memorable as some of the other frontier/prairie women's diaries I have read. I'm passing it along to Goodwill.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book along with another one titled Planting Dreams were two books that we found in a free library rotation out in the country. As such, since I wasn't reading them first and due to the similarity of the cover, I thought the book was part of the same trilogy, especially as I was ordering the sequel for this book. Unfortunately, about two days ago, I found out that wasn't the case.

Both books follow in the same guideline that the author is using actual Swedish female homesteaders as characters in a fictionalized telling of what their experiences may have been with some inclusion of actual events or stories that have been passed down from the older generations. Both of these women also were from the same general homesteading area Kansas thus sharing in church fellowship at one point while the reader can find the protagonist from Planting Dreams and Cultivating Hope mentioned unfortunately in one of the entries from Butter In the Well.

Since the ethnic background of these women and the influence that it had on the land they settled, Linda Hubalek does loosely use actual Swedish words throughout the telling of these stories. As a result for those who are interested in learning more there is included in the back a Glossary that provides these words in Swedish and a definition of what is meant by them.

Furthermore sprinkled throughout the books the reader will find black-and-white photographs of various events or even maps so they have a general idea of what is occurring. One thing I do have to give credit for, though, is the fact that the Planting Dreams series does list down the family members and important dates so you can keep everyone pretty much well-organized while Butter In the Well doesn't although it does include a few recipes.

The differences between the two books is the narration style and the origination. In Planting Dreams, the reader is taken back to Sweden where the decision is being made to pack the whole family up, what it took to pack for a journey in which they may never come back and what it took to get from Sweden to Illinois and then eventually Kansas. Furthermore the reader is given a chance to follow the protagonist's journey as she first sets out on her homesteading journey thus making the book to cover only the years 1868-1869.

Meanwhile in Butter In the Well, readers are introduced to Kajsa Swenson Runneberg and basically her just starting out family. At the time of the start of the book, the Swensons have already left Sweden and Illinois thus there was a note that provided the basics of what readers will find in Planting Dreams on the reasons for them leaving the homeland. Unlike the other series, Butter In the Well explores the whole timeframe when Kajsa was homesteading, which is from 1868-1888 or two years more since the closing date for the sequel of Planting Dreams thus the one book covers two of the other series.

The writing of Planting Dreams is told in a story format while the sequel Cultivating Hope are a collection of brief yet vital episodes taken from various seasons and years while Butter In the Well is told in a diary-like format. Since these three books basically are on average anywhere from 90-something pages to 122 they are definitely not thorough on all the details but the reader still gets the gist of what life was life and all its emotional rollercoastering as these people lived it.

There was one point in the book where the protagonist's Americanized last name was spelled incorrectly from her husband's, which caused some confusion to me and as a result I was snooping on Findagrave to see if the information was actually a misspelling. Unfortunately that also gave away part of the shocker for the next year/chapter that I hadn't quite got to yet although it did encourage me to get back to reading just to see if that would be an included entry or not.

All in all if you are the type who likes the story of homesteaders, especially ones that are more local to your location, then you may definitely find yourself a fan of these books, especially if you are looking for quick reads.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read, told in sporadic diary entries by a young Swedish woman mostly of her time in Kansas. I’m interested in Swedish immigration into the US from this time period as well as Kansas history so this is right up my alley.

I understand that this is a fictional retelling of an actual family. The deprecations, the traumas, the disasters these pioneers faced were incredible. So many deaths, mostly of children, were so frequent as to be almost ordinary. About halfway through now death really took me by surprise, I was not expecting it.

This book gives a good sense of what some of the Kansas pioneers, particularly the women, faced and stood up to.

[MKF · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author chose to write this book in journal form which was a bad idea especially in a book so small. The entries aren't always daily so the story feels incomplete and makes life on the prairie feel unrealistic. Some of the well known prairie problems such fires, tornadoes, and floods are briefly mentioned and the details quickly passed over. The infamous grasshoppers that destroyed farms only get one appearance when history readers know it happened multiple times. At times it feels like the author wanted to portray pioneer life with less of the constant hardship that these pioneers actually experienced.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Scandinavian family shared their lives while homesteading in Kansas and building their dugout and later building a larger house. Kajas Sverson Runeberg, a Swedish immigrant fights to survive and take care of her family where the wind always blows.

Kajas kept a journal for many years of their everyday life. An interesting account of the history in Kansas as the towns are built, railroads and trains running near their home, neighbors move close by, babies are born and death occurs. I enjoyed this story and recommend it for all ages. Oh yes, and the butter fell in the well.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good historical read, however a bit different since it is written as a journal. I learned a lot about life as a immigrant family pioneering their way on the Kansas prairie. Oh, the hardships they endeared! Many of them were resilient enough to keep on pursuing their dream of carving out a life in America. I recently found out I have Scandinavian ancestors and wonder if they were among these pioneers. Knowing that the author used a lot of actual facts to write this book made it a very honest account of Kansas history.

[Michelle M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting story about a Swedish emigrant and her family settling in Kansas. Read just like a diary/journal. The story spoke of Kajsa Svensson Runeberg's family traditions and trying to make a new life in not only Kansas but in America. It told of the experience of living in a sod house and the excitement of finally building a house. There was happiness, sadness, loss of life, and new life. Very realistic.

[Patricia S Winchel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating to See Through the Eyes of American Pioneers

Having married into a Swedish family from Rockford, Illinois, I thoroughly enjoyed reading a history of how they settled the Midwest. I was familiar with some of the language and foods. I still make Swedish pepperkakor in the shape of gingerbread men for my grandchildren. My favorite Swedish recipes are sweet rye bread and krupkokkor.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is more of a record of daily life than an actual diary of the writer, so the reader doesn't really learn much about this woman personally. Also, there were so many people (many of them with similar or unusual--to me--Swedish names) mentioned (dying, having children, moving, etc.) that I gave up trying to keep track of most of them. I've already requested the second book, so I guess I'll see if that one is less impersonal.

[Ruth Ann Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice!

This was not historical fiction. This was the real thing! Plus it was written about my home state of Kansas. It was kind of cool to read about places that I have previously heard of. Need to visit them someday.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly wished this novel was longer but it gave an excellent insight into the life of Kansas pioneers in the form of a diary/journal format. The characters are well developed and believable to the point that the reader cares about them. I am eager to read more by this author.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I can't imagine be one of the first to settle in Kansas. They talk about grass being 5' tall. That would be scary to me since I am just 5'2".

If you are interested in how the prairie of Kansas was settled, this is an interesting book to read.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I just wished it was the actually diary & not one made up. Also it was hard to follow who was who as so many people moved into the area. Otherwise a great read. I want to read from this author.

[Leslie Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I found it slow, reading someone’s journal, you know? They had so much lost loved ones out there. She lost her first husband at least 1 child and a pet or two. She was able to remarry and have more kids. He provided well for her and became prosperous.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed. Reading a diary of one woman’s experiences. Has some really sad situations Certainly does a great job of explaining the life in that time on the prairie. You can tell the author put a lot of time in research for this book.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast read

This was a great book. It wasn’t too in-depth but just a really good,fast read. I think most of us have read the Little House on the Prairie books and this isn’t that detailed but it’s just as good. It’s still really enjoyable and you’ll love the people in the story.

[Kassy Neeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and sweet

In these days of CORONA virus, I thoroughly enjoy reading historical biographies of our past to be reminded of the blessings we still have from our ancestor’s hard, back breaking work they had put in to survive.

[Carrie Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

The early settlers were an amazingly strong and resilient group of people. This book tells of one woman's, and her families, struggles with building a home in early Kansas.

[Rhonda McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting journal of life on the Kansas prairie.

[Victoria Laskowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fictionalized journal about a real person. It is hard to believe how difficult life must have been for these early Swedish settlers in Kansas. The book is a fairly quick read, but it tells an evocative, sometimes gut-wrenching, story.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diary of a newlywed woman, coming from Sweden to America right after the Civil War and settling on the Prairie of Kansas in a sod home.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the history lesson about Saline County Ks. especially so since I live in Salina Ks