Cabin Fever: Life & Times on the Missouri River
A memoir about life in Rocheport brings another era to life.
Missouri Life’s book reviews are seldom negative, not because we avoid honest critique, but because we simply don’t include books that we wouldn’t recommend. My perspective has always been, what’s the point? There are few enough books published every year, either pertaining to Missouri or written by Missouri authors. My aim is to illuminate the ones that are truly worthy of your attention.
That being said, every book I covered this year could be nominated in this category. I enjoyed them and recommend each one. With that disclaimer out of the way, there is one title that has stuck with me several months after reading and reviewing it: Kristen Heitkamp’s Cabin Fever, a memoir about a young writer’s time spent living in the tiny river town of Rocheport.
I’ll admit, I am somewhat biased in my decision, because I spend several days a week in Rocheport at the Missouri Life offices. However, Kristen’s portrait of the town and its characters, taking place during another era, has provided a window into the town’s past that I’ve long sought.
Kristen is particularly adept at relaying dialogue from a wide selection of speakers. This memoir transports readers into its world; it feels extremely immersive, prob- ably because the author lets its characters speak for themselves a majority of the time.
The book presents events ranging from tragic to joyous with a sense of steadiness. The author explores a particular period of time in her life without over- or under-playing its significance. It’s to Kristen’s credit as a writer that you finish this book with a sense of wistfulness. Unlike a lot of memoirs I have read, I never got the sense that this one was setting out to tug on my heartstrings—but it did so all the same.
Beyond that, Kristen’s straightforward, descriptive style has remained on my mind since reading it. The way the small river town is described as a haven for both eccentric locals and artists provides new insights into the kinds of environments that make Missouri unique. Cabin Fever presents an alternative take on the preconditions for a productive and creative life.
This book review was originally printed in the January 2026 issue of Missouri Life.
