What a beautiful, heartfelt book. Reminding the reader of the approach of old age and the loss of freedom that comes with that. The long hours to spend remembering the good times, and the bad. Wondering what might have been different. The reliance on other people as your strength fades, the resentment. And probably above all, friends. Who you realise you didn't know everything about - and your dog, who loves you without question or limit, who you love with all your heart. My heart broke as I read on - I'm sure others could hear it breaking.

My standout read of the year so far, I loved this book!

The story centres around Bo, in his late eighties, now frail and needing daily support from carers with personal care, meals and medication. Bo's wife has dementia and lives in residential care some miles away. So ravaged by the disease, she no longer recognizes her husband. Bo lives for his adored elkhound Sixten, however his son Hans wants to take Sixten away, saying Bo can no longer care for the animal. Bo feels he has lost control over everything and is determined to do all he can to keep his four-legged best friend. But how can he, when the only weapon left is his stubbornness?

This is an exquisitely written, powerful tale of relationships, unspoken words and the desire not to leave anything unsaid. It tells of the conflict between declining physical health and the mind, still thinking we are more capable than we actually are. How, as children, we make decisions for our parents, certain we are acting in their best interests when sometimes there is another way.

Bo's life, from childhood, his strained relationship with his own father, to meeting his beloved Frederika and becoming a father himself is cleverly told through a series of 'dreams' and reflections. Bo's limitations and his journey toward the end is sensitively detailed through a series of notes his carers leave in a log book, alongside his interactions with Hans and his granddaughter Ellinor.

Lisa Ridzen has crafted a beautiful, sad (yes I did shed a tear) but heartwarming story that will stay with me for a very long time.

With much appreciation to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

Thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley for an early Kindle copy of this book.

This was a good read, though it would be difficult to say it was enjoyable, covering such a heartfelt subject. It reminded me of Being Mortal, the magnificent non-fiction book by Atul Gawande. In Being Mortal he talks about ageing and how important it is for elderly people be given as much support and autonomy as possible when their health is starting to deteriorate; this novel is a story based on that, concentrating on Bo, an elderly gentleman, his wife is now in care so his dog is his main source of comfort and company. He narrates about a steady stream of care staff and occasional family visits, in between telling us of his life as a younger man and child. The historical bits interested me less, and I tended to skim them a little, but the current day parts of the book were riveting.
There are plenty of lessons here about appreciating life and those around you.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I would compare this book to Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, very similar melancholic (borderline depressing) tones with beautiful writing. Both are super easy to read in a day but for the most part enjoyable.

What I found the most interesting (despite this not being the main premise of the book) was the discussions around dementia. Bo clearly considers the essence of the person he married to be dead once she is sent to a care home. He grieves his very much alive wife by writing this book to her former self. The distinction between her two characters was really striking to read about.

This book did a really good job of writing from an elderly perspective, pointing out how we tend to antagonise and infantilise them because they seem vulnerable, despite the fact they have experienced so much more than us.

The flashbacks to different moments of Bo's life intertwined with him dozing off were seamless and really reminded me of Chaucer's dream visions, but that might just be because of the 9 hour exam I had on those 3 days ago.

The ending felt predictable, but also intentional. Whilst I felt the book became stagnant at points because Bo's age prevented him from doing much, this still had a decent emotional impact by the end. I could definitely see the being a new sad girl summer book this year.

A beautifully written debut novel written by an author who shows great understanding of someone who's life is about to end and the caring they receive. Add to that the patients great love for a dog and you have a very touching novel. I have read many Scandinavian translations and credit most go to the translator of this novel for opening up a much larger potential audience to enjoy a touching story. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Thanks to Lisa Ridzén and NetGalley for this ARC!

This one was a really topically difficult but beautiful read for me. Conversations about age, mortality and autonomy that really stopped me in my tracks. Gorgeously written.

It took me some time to get properly involved and invested in this book but once I did the words just flowed past.

Bo's wife is in a care home suffering with dementia. His son insists they visit even though she has no knowledge of who they are; and it brings Bo more pain into his life made bearable only by his dog, Sixten.dog

He relies on carers to meet his daily needs. From feeding, bathing and toileting. Strangers who work to a schedule. For an old man who was used to independence this is not how he saw his life reaching his end of days.

I am not altogether certain that Bo realises he is dying. His thoughts are full of his dog and was he a good husband and father. Or good enough.

Tears are inevitable.

This Swedish novel is a beautiful evocation of what it’s like to be very old and relying on paid careers and your family.
It’s also about Bo’s life and his past relationships with his son, his wife (now in care home) and his own parents.
It’s told partly in Bo’s voice and partly through the written notes his carers make when they visit him.
It’s sad and rings very true. Issues such as whether Bo is capable of looking after his beloved dog are dealt with in a very real way.
We are always aware that we are seeing life through the perspective of Bo rather than his family, and that’s not always a comfortable position to be in.
Recommended if you are prepared to have your heart broken!

And breathe!

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén was a book that just took my breath away and the ending......I just sat there and cried. . . . Well, I did cry lots through reading this book but the ending was just breathtaking.
This is the first book I read by this author and it was just beautifully written from start to finish.
It was so good I ended up ordering a copy for my growing bookshelf to read again.

Bo is the main character and he is running out of time. Yet, time is one of the few things he’s got left. These days, his quiet existence is broken up only by daily visits from his home care team. Fortunately, he still has his beloved elkhound Sixten to keep him company. . . . . I just loved this dog. . . . I wanted to give him a big hug!
Bo has a son, and he has had a rocky relationship, insists upon taking the dog away, claiming that Bo has grown too old to properly care for him. Noooooooooo
But, the threat of losing Sixten stirs up a whirlwind of emotion, which lead Bo to take stock of his life, his relationships, and the imperfect way he’s expressed his love over the years.

You will need a quiet spot to read this and have tissues handy.

I can not recommend this book enough. It was a wonderful read I ended up reading it in one sitting and my plans for that day went out the window.

Bo, an elderly man, lives in northern Sweden with his dog. His life revolves around his dog, his phone calls with his friend Ture and the visits from his carers, and his memories. The notes left by the carers intersperse the story. Hans, Bo’s son thinks that the dog should be reformed; this is not to Bo’s liking at all.
A beautiful story, wonderfully told; very moving.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

An impressive and beautiful debut about a ageing old man who reflects on his life and all the people (and a dog) he has loved. Unforgettable and heartbreaking. I can’t imagine anyone not loving this.
Thank you Penguin Random House UK and Netgalley UK for the ARC.

What a wonderful book this is. This is the story about the end of life of Bo. Bo’s wife has gone into a care home suffering with some form of dementia and Bo is now becoming frail and needs to have care four time a day.

The book is written from Bo’s point of view and explores his past and present life. It explores his relationship with his parents, his wife, his best friend, his son and granddaughter and his beloved dog Sixten.

The book is written so beautifully and the author has managed to write a humorous, poignant, reflective and heartbreaking book without it being overdone. Definitely makes you think about life and death and particularly, for me, to make sure you say everything you want to those you love whilst you still can

What a beautiful but heartbreaking story of unsaid things. This book made me cry at parts. Beautifully written with sensitive topics.

"When the Cranes Fly South" is a poignant exploration of love and hope. The writing is so accomplished that it's hard to believe this is Liza Ridzen's debut novel. It's no surprise that it won the Swedish Book of the Year Award in 2024.
This elegantly simple narrative follows the final months of Bo’s life. Residing in a small rural village in northern Sweden, Bo, an elderly man, spends his days with visits from his care team and his son, Hans, with whom he hopes to mend their strained relationship. Bo finds solace in his cherished memories, phone calls with his best friend Ture, and the companionship of his beloved dog, Sixten.
However, Hans insists that Sixten needs to be rehomed, as Bo can no longer adequately care for him. Bo's refusal to part with Sixten threatens the fragile bond between father and son.
The novel's inspiration came from Ridzen's discovery of notes left by her grandfather’s care team as he approached the end of his life. Using this perspective allows readers to gain insight into Bo’s present circumstances while contrasting them with his past memories.
Although Bo’s beloved wife Fredrika is in a care home, we learn more of his life through his imagined conversations with her, reflecting on his past and contemplating his remaining time. Bo, who has led a simple life, now desires nothing more than to be left alone with his memories and Sixten. Hans' attempts to rehome Sixten feel like a betrayal, jeopardising Bo's hopes of reconciling with his son.
While the story is straightforward, it delves into complex themes. Readers can empathise with Bo’s deep love for Sixten and his despair at the thought of losing him. Simultaneously, Hans' desire to ease his father's burdens is understandable, especially given Bo's inability to care for a large dog.
The novel captures Bo’s frustration with his declining health and his reliance on others. Once strong and independent, Bo now grapples with his vulnerability, which both frightens and frustrates him. He is not afraid of death; he simply wishes to maintain his dignity in his final days.
This touching book will linger in readers' minds long after the last page. Be prepared for an emotional journey and consider reading it in private.

When The Cranes Fly South
By Lisa Ridzén

It's so obvious from the beginning how this is going to end, and I knew I was going to be able to hold it together, but then I couldn't.

The author is a doctoral student in sociology researching masculinity norms in the rural communities of Northern Sweden, where this novel is set. She got the idea for this novel from the carer notes that her grandfather's care team left during his end of life care.

Whispers of "A Man Called Ove" in Bo's character. She writes with such tenderness about the most universal of human of experiences. Beautiful, searing, profound.

Publication Date: 15th May 2025

Thanks to #Netgalley and #RandomHouseUK for providing an ARC for review purposes.

This is beautifully written and very poignant. Bo is nearing the end of his life and the story is told in an emotional way as he remembers his past life and his wife. A powerful reflection of life, family and love. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

When I read the blurb, not going to lie, I expected to encounter the by now familiar Swedish expert product, rivalled only by Nordic noir - the grumpy old man story, somewhat whimsical and wholesome, but also with a tiny bit of social bite to it. I will admit, I was a bit prejudiced, as this is definitely not my go to genre. I confess, the book won me over. The protagonist of When the Cranes Fly South is an old man, Liza Ridzen is Swedish, and there is some sentimental wholesomeness to the story, but there is also so much more to it.

The story is based on the author's family history and her academic research into the psychology of masculinity in rural Sweden in the 20th century. We follow Bo, an elderly man in his 80s with an onset dementia, whose wife of 60 years was institutionalised with late stage dementia. The chapters, written from Bo's perspective, are mixed in with short carers' reports providing an external view of his situation. The plot nominally revolves around the determination of Bo's son, Hans, to remove Bo's dog from his care, as the elderly man is no longer capable of providing a healthy environment for the pooch. However, it is one of those meandering books where the plot does not matter much. Bo's mind wanders, and the scenes of his daily life and interactions with his family and carers' are intermixed with his memories of his childhood and the early years of his marriage. Bo's narrative is an imaginary monologue that always directly addresses his wife, who no longer recognises him in real life. The text does not shy away from showing the ugly truth of ageing with dementia, so the book might be triggering (or cathartic) to anyone who went through losing a loved one to their own fraying mind in real life.

Everything in this book is a bit on the nose, it is as if the author decided that this, this and this point about masculinity needs to be covered, and included musings about it in the story. And yet nothing in this book feels didactic, or reminiscent of a social media gender studies awareness post. Ideas about breaking the cycle of domestic violence, complex relationships of fathers and sons and the dynamics between straight and closeted gay friends are seamlessly woven into the narrative. It was refreshing to see the major political conflict between Bo and his young son back in the day hinging on Hans' conservativism, which his father saw as a betrayal of their working class values. Bo relationship with his best friend, Ture, is written with care and nuance, leaving so much unsaid between the creases of their long silences.

My only criticism of this book is that although I really appreciated the considerable craft it is written with, I did not react to it very strongly emotionally, and I have a feeling that I ought to have done. It is not difficult to write a book about a dying old man to squeeze at least a couple of tears from the reader, and I did not quite get there.

Nevertheless, if you like grumpy old man stories, this is a must, and if you don't care for them, it is still an interesting book to appreciate.

Beautifully written and empathetic. Elderly Bo lives alone, apart for his old dog Sixten. He relies on carers visiting three times a day and spends his days reminiscing about his life with his beloved wife. She’s in a nursing home now and no longer recognises him. His son Hans visits frequently and thinks Bo tries to do too much eg fetching wood from the woodshed. Bo’s narration is interspersed with carers’ notes, showing us the rhythm of his days. A moving account of getting old, remembering sad and happy times, acceptance of things lost and resignation to one’s lot.

🦮 REVIEW 🦮

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén (translated by Alice Menzies)
Release Date: 15th May

Thanks @doubledayukbooks and @netgalley for the e-arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

📝 - Bo is running out of time. Yet time is one of the few things he’s got left. These days, his quiet existence is broken up only by daily visits from his home care team. Fortunately, he still has his beloved elkhound Sixten to keep him company … though now his son, with whom Bo has had a rocky relationship, insists upon taking the dog away, claiming that Bo has grown too old to properly care for him. The threat of losing Sixten stirs up a whirlwind of emotion, leading Bo to take stock of his life, his relationships, and the imperfect way he’s expressed his love over the years

💭 - A mixture of hopefulness and sadness I’d say. I find that few novels are written from the perspective of elderly people, and Ridzén’s inspiration from her own father’s latter part of life makes the story entirely realistic. Bo is not a man without flaws; he is stubborn and set in his ways, but reading from his perspective gives you that understanding of how suddenly things are moving too fast for him, he feels unable to make his own decisions, and ultimately that no one is listening to him. It is a sad read, especially as Bo reflects on his own childhood, and then on the raising of his son, but one that I did enjoy, though I didn’t love the writing style itself.

#whenthecranesflysouth #lisaridzén #translatedfiction #swedishfiction #contemporaryfiction #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreviewer #bookreview

every time i come back to looking at this cover i want to cry all over again. it filled me with so much from the book. and its sweetness, that hand on the dogs head has me in bits all over again.
this book was everything. it was raw and exposing. it had all the bits we hide from with others and in ourselves. to do with love,life and death.
the relationships were so relatable. and yes i mean love and pure bond between man and dog too! Bo was just so good at telling his tale, lol. i could feel his thoughts and see his feelings and everything in between. all the things he wanted to say i ached for him and all the fears he had made my heart shake.
that too of his son. the same applies. i could just feel his emotions ripple from the page. and i could relate so much.
this book made me want to hug the characters. it made me want to have a hug and hug all those i love. and kind of want to hug Lisa a little too. for this kind of talent, this treasure of a book truly deserves a great big thankyou of a hug.
this book is just a gem of a read. its swoops into one of my faves.