“When the Cranes Fly South” is about a man and his dog and a son and his father, but it is so, so much more.
Definite trigger warnings here: If you have a loved one in a memory care facility, have deep, deep emotional connections to your pets and/or have any kind of dysfunctional family relationship, you either need to sit on this for a while, or keep a box of tissue next to you at all times during this, Lisa Ridzen’s amazing debut novel.
Translated from its original Swedish, readers are introduced to an elderly husband and father, Bo, living on his own in the rural countryside with a circle of professional caregivers that visit him routinely. ( All props to Ingrid, she is the BOSS.) His wife, Fredrika, has been living in a memory care facility for some time now, having lost all recognition of Bo and their son, Hans.
As readers, we are provided context to Bo’s own frailties through interspersed notes from his caregivers, but really, this is just Bo, telling his story, as he navigates his remaining days with his faithful dog, Sixten, by his side. We are provided glimpses into his childhood and early days with Fredrika and Hans through his dreams which help to explain his reticence in his current relationship with Hans, now 57 and divorced, and father to Bo’s only grandchild, Ellinor.
This is a gut punch of a read — intensely emotional and beautifully written. And it’s brutally realistic. When confronted with the loss of personal autonomy, Ridzen does not sugarcoat the experience for Bo or for her audience. Ridzen’s exploration of what it means to reconcile with family, friends, feelings and faith as the sun sets on our journey is a lesson in grace, acceptance and understanding.
It’s a fairly quick read in between crying jags, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Easily one of my favorites of the year and a reminder that once in a while an Instagram-algorithm-generated suggestion is actually spot on. Don’t pass on this.
LitzyDitz 