Page 2 of 3
There are currently 20 member reviews
for When the Cranes Fly South
-
Katherine H. (Indianapolis, IN)
When the Cranes Fly South
I started reading this book with an attitude (and not a good one)I finished it in a little over a day with a good cry. I'm ready to read it again. If you have been a caretaker or on the receiving end, you need to read this book. Ms.Ridzen is so into the feelings of both sides of this issue. Taking care of the elderly. And loss of choice as you age. Make this your next book club read.
-
Susan B. (Fort Myers, FL)
A must read, heartfelt and true
This poignant and beautifully written novel is a true heart-wrencher—one that will stay with you long after the final page.
Bo, a 90-year-old man nearing the end of his life, reflects on a lifetime of memories while remaining at home with his loyal Elkhound by his side. His wife is now in memory care, and his relationship with his adult son, Hans, remains strained. Hans is a modern, ambitious man—grappling with burnout and preoccupied with the demands of contemporary life. He also has the responsibility of making sure Bo is cared for. Their inability to connect is both painful and authentic. Bo, once controlling, and Hans, long rebellious, now navigate the delicate terrain of aging, caregiving, and letting go.
Tension rises when Hans insists Bo must give up his beloved dog, his one remaining source of comfort and companionship. Bo's resistance to this idea becomes the emotional core of the novel, highlighting the dignity and small battles of those in their final chapter.
Risa Ridzen writes with sensitivity and deep insight into the complexities of aging, familial love, and the struggle to maintain independence. Her storytelling is quietly powerful, filled with subtle truths and emotional depth. It's no surprise the book was honored with the Swedish Book of the Year Award.
When the Cranes Fly South is unforgettable—a tender, realistic portrayal of life's closing moments and the lasting bonds that define us.
-
Nancy M. (Murrieta, CA)
Taking Stock in When the Cranes Fly South
The depth of this book began slowly for me. Bo, an 89-year-old man in declining health, is being cared for in his home by caregivers while his wife lives in an assisted living facility being treated for dementia. In the narration of this story, Bo is talking to his wife and trying to come to terms with their lives. His deeply personal thoughts of his love for her, the life they lived, their son who now has the role of primary care giver for both, even Bo's dog Sixten, draw you in chapter by chapter until you are so genuinely invested in Bo's life you can feel all his heartaches and joys.
This is a story of taking stock of your life with all the regrets, redemptions, love, forgiveness and healing that we all hope we can reconcile when the time comes. Lisa Ridzén tells this story in powerfully, purely written prose that will stay with you for a long time.
Many thanks to Book Browse and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book.
-
Shawn S. (Black mountain, NC)
When the Cranes Fly South
I was fortunate to receive an ARC copy of When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen from @BookBrowse.com. This book was without question a five star read for me. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I've read many books this year and this one is at the top of my list.
Mature autonomy, elder-care, family relationships, friendship, nature, and the struggle to decide what to forgive and what to fight all play a part in this beautifully crafted novel. We will all, if fortunate enough, reach an age when these concerns will be reckoned with. Read this book with these things in mind; you won't want to put it down and will no doubt want to share it.
-
Sonja W. (Rehoboth Beach, DE)
When the Cranes Fly South
From the first few pages, I was drawn in. The story is built around a deeply sympathetic character—Bo, a fiercely independent elderly man whose world is closing in. What remains are the few things he still holds dear: his beloved wife, now in memory care; his over worked and overwhelmed but devoted son; his granddaughter, away at school; his best friend, Ture, too ill to visit; and most of all, his beloved dog, Sixten. But Bo is no longer in charge of his life. Others care for and make decisions for him. Bo struggles to maintain his dignity and some modicum of control over his life as others intervene.
The central conflict revolves around Bo's dog, Sixten, his loyal, constant companion. But his son, believing Bo can no longer adequately care for the dog, wants to re-home Sixten. Bo cannot fully articulate what this loss would mean, but we feel the truth: losing Sixten would mean losing everything. This is a familiar story of the emotional tension between aging parents and adult children trying to help, as well as an analysis of the often difficult father-son dynamics and the pain of being misunderstood.
The novel is beautifully written, especially in its portrayal of Bo's reflections about his life, his parents, his family, and his present situation. Poignant and often heartbreaking, it offers a tender, nuanced glimpse into the end of life. We may not fully understand Bo's world until we reach a similar place ourselves, but this book takes us one step closer with grace, honesty, and empathy.
-
George M. (Antioch, CA)
The Inevitable
One day, we all have to arrive at that point in life when we take stock and reflect. And wonder…what if? This book is a love story. An introspection. A reflection on losing control of our independence as we inevitably reach the final days. On what happens when we can no longer be in charge of our own lives. But not in a sad, miserable way. It is a beautifully told story of love. Of the love a man has for life. His dearest friend, his wife of 6 decades ( who resides in a care home and is not physically present). And his beloved dog. It is about aging and gradually losing control of your life, with caretakers and a well meaning son making decisions for and about his life. This book is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, but it is truly worth reading.
-
Sylvia G. (Scottsdale, AZ)
Beautiful and moving
Bo is failing. His wife is in dementia care and he's being helped by a series of carers, and trying to keep his beloved dog from being given away. His son is in charge and their roles have reversed. He revisits the past with its joys and regrets and reflects on his life. This quiet novel is poignant, emotional and powerful.
Book Reviewed by:
