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A review by audrey_clm
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Following Bo, a heartwarming old man living alone with his beloved dog Sixten, When The Cranes Fly South is a tender and honest novel.
It starts when Bo's son Hans threatens to take away Sixten because Bo is starting to get too old to care for him properly. Bo is completely against the idea and it brings up a lot of emotions within him that he struggles to control. He starts reminiscing about old memories and imagining talking to his wife who is now living in a care home, stricken with dementia.
I thought it was a very touching novel. Bo is a lovable character and reading the story from his point of view made it even more real. I felt all of his emotions with him which gave me the opportunity to relate strongly to a character with whom I have nothing in common. It made me appreciate what it means to be human even more.
We rarely tend to imagine what life must be like for senior people who have to live alone, only seeing carers on a daily basis, with just a lifetime of memories to keep them company. It's uncomfortable to think about old age this way but it's the sad reality of it and this novel perfectly captured it. As much as it felt bittersweet and full of melancholy to go through Bo's memories with him, I also found it joyful. He has lived a very full life which is a beautiful thing. I can only aspire to be able to look back on my life with such fondness in my old age.
I also found the other characters memorable, especially Bo's best friend Ture who seems to be the wisest person ever. Their friendship was a beautiful thing to read about. I also loved Bo's wife, although we only get to see her through his memories and it's clear that he has been deeply in love with her his whole life so she might have been a bit idealised. However, in the little we see of her in present time, she doesn't recognise her own family and it was really heartbreaking and sad to read about.
Bo's relationship with his son was a central part of the novel as well. It highlighted how important it is for men to allow themselves to be vulnerable and open with their sons. It shows how generational trauma is passed on even without meaning to but also how it can be broken. Bo's idea of masculinity and fatherhood was instilled in him by his abusive father as well as society's expectations of men from his generation. It was interesting to see how he slowly realises his past mistakes and tries to correct them before it's too late.
Overall, it was a stunning debut novel that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. It honestly made me cry a lot, but not entirely of sadness. I do highly recommend it but be prepared to feel devastated.
It starts when Bo's son Hans threatens to take away Sixten because Bo is starting to get too old to care for him properly. Bo is completely against the idea and it brings up a lot of emotions within him that he struggles to control. He starts reminiscing about old memories and imagining talking to his wife who is now living in a care home, stricken with dementia.
I thought it was a very touching novel. Bo is a lovable character and reading the story from his point of view made it even more real. I felt all of his emotions with him which gave me the opportunity to relate strongly to a character with whom I have nothing in common. It made me appreciate what it means to be human even more.
We rarely tend to imagine what life must be like for senior people who have to live alone, only seeing carers on a daily basis, with just a lifetime of memories to keep them company. It's uncomfortable to think about old age this way but it's the sad reality of it and this novel perfectly captured it. As much as it felt bittersweet and full of melancholy to go through Bo's memories with him, I also found it joyful. He has lived a very full life which is a beautiful thing. I can only aspire to be able to look back on my life with such fondness in my old age.
I also found the other characters memorable, especially Bo's best friend Ture who seems to be the wisest person ever. Their friendship was a beautiful thing to read about. I also loved Bo's wife, although we only get to see her through his memories and it's clear that he has been deeply in love with her his whole life so she might have been a bit idealised. However, in the little we see of her in present time, she doesn't recognise her own family and it was really heartbreaking and sad to read about.
Bo's relationship with his son was a central part of the novel as well. It highlighted how important it is for men to allow themselves to be vulnerable and open with their sons. It shows how generational trauma is passed on even without meaning to but also how it can be broken. Bo's idea of masculinity and fatherhood was instilled in him by his abusive father as well as society's expectations of men from his generation. It was interesting to see how he slowly realises his past mistakes and tries to correct them before it's too late.
Overall, it was a stunning debut novel that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. It honestly made me cry a lot, but not entirely of sadness. I do highly recommend it but be prepared to feel devastated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Dementia, Grief
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gun violence, Pregnancy