Based loosely on, and is inspired by, real life events. With insights into dementia and how a malfunctioning brain affects a person and their caregiver, the story turns folklore on its head. Rick Ingalls has dementia. His wife, Janey is Rick’s caregiver. Their unique bond is the cornerstone that builds upon their love story. When caterpillars infest—no, wait—rewrite—when caterpillars totally take over their property attaching themselves to every shred of siding, every tree trunk, to window frames, the deck, the roofline and gutters, Janey is a little freaked out. But Rick, self-proclaimed expert lepidopterist, is ecstatic. In fact, he’s awestruck. His entire autodidactic life learning everything butterfly and moth, has come to fruition. Of course, with dementia destroying his brain, he can’t speak his joy he can only watch. Through the story, both Janey and Rick recount Rick’s many wild and sometimes heroic tales of youth. For instance, how he saved a fireman! And, in the end, with his life in the brink, it’s not a fireman who returns the favor and saves Rick, but the butterflies and moths that he has loved his whole life. When you spend a lifetime adoring something from afar, it's spectacular when, one day, that something shows up on your doorstep. If you enjoyed Big Fish by Daniel Wallace and the movie Up , you will love CATERPILLAR HOUSE.