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.

Nothing has been last in translation as far as I can tell.
The emotions, sense of loneliness , loss and desperation still bleeds from the pages.
I was unsure as to whether this book was for me, I was concerned it would be too dark, too grim or just not my style, but I did not need to worry. It took a few pages but then I was hooked.

What a wonderful, beautiful, magical read. Like most readers, I’m sure, I was in tears at the end. I will be 75 this year, and this book made me think really hard about the things I should have done that I didn’t, the things I would change if I could, and the untold stories that will be lost when I am no longer here. I can’t say more, just read this and you’ll know. It was a privilege to read and I thank NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to do so. It is one of those books that I will go back to time and time again. The author deserves a medal.

Bo reminded me so much of my Bamp, he is grumpy, doesn’t like to do what he is told, refuses to believe he is getting old and can’t look after himself like he used to. Things become rocky with his son Hans when he doesn’t think Sixten (Bo’s very loyal doggy companion) should stay with Bo anymore.

We hear from Bo as he talks to his wife - now living separately due to old ages and health issues. She is never named and is simply referred to as “you” and considering we only get the POV from Bo the relationships are well established and you can feel the love and strength between him and his wife. The memories they have shared and how much they enjoyed life together.

One thing I will take away from this book is to never let things go unsaid, to make sure those around you know how much they mean and to enjoy life while you can. It without doubt tugged on my heart strings for many different reasons.

A gorgeous read that I think everyone could see some joy in 🧡

Bo is an elderly man receiving round-the-clock care in his home he shares with his dog Sixten, in a small rural village in northern Sweden. His life is made up of others telling him what’s best for him, and of Bo trying to communicate how he’s really feeling, when often his inner world doesn’t match what others see. When Bo’s son Hans tells him it’s time to rehome Sixten, Bo is heartbroken and takes a long look over his life and relationships to figure out what his remaining time means.

Told from Bo’s perspective while talking to the memory of his wife, punctuated by logbook-style entries from his caregivers, When the Cranes Fly South is a quietly crushing novel. Bo’s memories take you through his childhood and into his decision to move away and start anew, the time spent with his beloved wife of many years, the deep bond he shared with his longtime friend Ture, and now his last days in a deteriorating body. As a husband, a father, and a man who used to command respect but has lost his independence and, in turn, his voice, you are given a full and often heartbreaking picture of growing older.

Having cared for and lost elderly family members, this was hard to read, but also cathartic; I could see the gaps in Bo’s memory and clarity, while also empathising with how difficult it must be to lose parts of yourself. Bo’s pain at the thought of losing Sixten—and what that means for the rest of his life—is raw and tender. His desire to mend his relationship with his son Hans is also moving, even as you recognize that too much time has passed to ever heal old wounds, and how people need to live the life they want, even if you don’t agree.

Bo’s love for his wife and the life they built together is a testament to their mutual work and devotion that had its unspoken battles and its deep core. And his friendship with Ture, a gay man living in a time when his sexuality wasn’t always accepted and was often kept private, shows just how life and love endure despite what others say. Bo’s generational language and beliefs color his world, but his relationship with Ture shows his love and compassion for others.

The writing is simple and direct and doesn’t shy away from the realities of dying, even if Bo’s narration is sometimes unreliable. The logs show what truly happened that day on a physical level, while Bo fleshes out the emotional aspect. It’s a clever framing device that reminds you of how fragile life is and how it’s not always pretty and sanitized. As the narrative slips in and out of memory and time, the writing seamlessly transports you, reminding you just how tangled our lives are made up of everything we’ve experienced.

When the Cranes Fly South is not a Hollywood story or a fairytale; it is a profound story of life in all its foibles and bonds, and how those small moments become big ones when looking back in the rearview. It’s not a happy read, but it’s also not a constant misery parade; it’s real, and it takes you on Bo’s journey with a gentle and empathetic hand. It’s a must-read for anyone with ageing loved ones or for those contemplating the realities of growing older. The dichotomy of what is best for someone and what is right is striking, and When the Cranes Fly South explores why we could all use a little more understanding, no matter what stage we’re at in life.

Oh my goodness, what a privilege it was to read an ARC of ‘When the cranes fly south’, Lisa Ridzén’s incredible debut. I’ve just read the last few pages and I can’t recall another novel to result in my tears pouring quite so fast, I could barely read the final tender words.

This is a truly beautiful read, accounting Bo’s last experiences of life, being dutifully but lovingly cared for by his son, granddaughter and private carers, along with the companionship of his dear friend Ture and his faithful hound dog, Sixsten. It’s a story told entirely from Bo’s perspective and it’s an incredibly intimate portrait of his life, interspersed with memories of his family that read like they are in the present. He ‘talks’ to his dear wife whom is a nursing home with dementia, but Fredrika/‘you’ is intricately interwoven into all of his daily thoughts and memories.

This is going to be HUGE hit, and Bo will stay with me for some time. Big thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

This book left me feeling deeply exposed—reminded of just how fragile we are as human beings. It stirred thoughts I usually push aside: my parents aging, the person I might become in old age. Would I end up in adult diapers, needing help to bathe, waiting to see if my children would still come around? It confronted me with how much we rely on tenderness, on being cared for when we’re at our most vulnerable.

It also awakened a quiet urgency—the need to say the things that matter while I still can. To tell my parents, and my children, just how much they mean to me. Because one day, the chance to say those words will be gone.

The story itself was both tender and heartbreaking. I felt Bo’s decline so viscerally—how powerless he was in the face of aging, how he watched his world slowly dissolve. Yet the way he spoke about his wife—with such unwavering love, always addressing her as “you”—was devastatingly intimate. It felt like he was still speaking directly to her, even as everything else slipped away. That kind of devotion shattered me.

And then there was Hans. His perspective was painfully relatable. As children, we carry that quiet fear of watching our parents grow old, wanting to protect them, do right by them—while knowing we can’t hold back time. His experience rang so true, so unfiltered, it felt less like fiction and more like someone whispering their truth straight onto the page

This is such a tender, heartrending book, full of raw reflections on ageing, relationships, life and loss. It’s astute, empathetic, beautifully written, with gentle humour and clear-eyed observations, as it depicts the last few months in the life of 89 year old Bo.

His days are punctuated by a rotation of carers. Some are friendly, understanding and kind, others are brusque, allowing him little agency or dignity. Their brief daily notes add a fresh dimension to the storyline and a growing perspective on Bo’s gradual decline.

Bo’s beloved wife, Frederika, has dementia and lives in a care home. She doesn’t recognise him, or their son Hans, and is agitated by their visits. As he reflects on the past, he sniffs his wife’s scarf. It brings him comforting memories of their happy life together as he holds conversations with her in his head.

His major source of solace is the companionship of his dearly loved elkhound Sixten and the regular phone calls he has with his best friend. Visits from his granddaughter are welcome but he has a trickier relationship with his son. They clash when Hans decides that Sixten needs to be rehomed because neither Bo nor the carers can adequately look after him.

This news sends Bo into a spiral of anxiety and resentment as he seeks to hold onto Sixten for as long as possible. Hans has Bo and Sixten’s best welfare at heart, but Bo thinks Hans is oblivious to the hurt and pain it’s causing him to even think of letting Sixten go.

Bo goes through a lot of heart searching, remembering the past with his distant, curmudgeonly father and how he hates the thought of becoming like him with Hans.

Both father and son recall better times of relating to one another which suggest reconciliation might be achievable before it’s too late. A poignant, thoughtful, tear-jerking, superb debut novel I highly recommend. Grateful thanks to Lisa Ridzén, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the eARC.

When the Cranes Fly South is a thought provoking book written through the eyes of Bo, a nonagenarian and his carers, as he struggles with life in his 90's and his hopes of hanging onto his dog Sixten who he is having trouble looking after.
It is a beautiful, very well written, compelling read that will make you laugh and make you cry, but most of all it will stay with you for a long time after you turn the last page.
Highly recommended!
5 stars *****