Review of When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén

Ridzén's beautiful, poignant novel centers around Bo, an elderly Swedish man living out his last days in his woodland cabin as the past becomes more vivid to him than his present. This is lovely, heartbreaking, and practical while offering hope.

Bo is an elderly Swedish man living in the woodland cabin where he grew up.

He exists in somewhat of a haze between naps, frequent carer visits, calls and check-ins from his son Hans, short walks with his beloved elkhound Sixten, and vivid memories of his life--which sometimes feel more real than his reality.

His wife, who suffers from dementia, is in a care center, and his memories of her pop up in painful, poignant vibrancy.

Bo yearns for a deeper connection with his son. But when Hans determines that rehoming Sixten is best for all involved, Bo is devastated, angry, and unsure whether his shaky relationship with his son can be repaired.

When the Cranes Fly South is a beautiful, poignant, tragic, hopeful examination of end-of-life issues for an aging person as well as the loved ones who are trying their best to support their elderly person, keep them safe, and promote autonomy within a framework of care. In Ridzén's novel, while the past and Bo's many memories begin to become more vivid and realistic to Bo than the present-day or near-past, we watch Bo letting go, and from a distance we witness his son, grandson, best friend, dog, and carers as they see him slipping away.

The Swedish setting means that Bo has around-the-clock care and check-ins; this standard of care allows for dignity, continuity, and valuable connections.

The Sixten-related issues seemed to me potentially quite easily solvable by securing someone for daily dog walks, and as with many pet-centered storylines, I became outrageously emotionally invested in this one.

I loved this poignant, lovely novel and the hope and practicality that overcomes heartbreak. Ridzén places us deeply in Bo's point of view, which was valuable to understanding his perspective on matters related to his own body and his pending death.

I read When the Cranes Fly South for my book club.

This is the author's debut novel.

More Books about Mortality

For more Bossy reviews of books about mortality, please check out this link. And for novels centered around aging, please click here.