When the Cranes Fly South
- Judith D Collins
- Aug 18
- 7 min read
By: Lisa Ridzén
Translator: Alice Menzies
Narrator: Ifan Huw Dafydd
Random House Audio
ISBN: 9798217006731
Publisher: Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Vintage
Publication Date: 08/19/2025
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER (Sweden)
A profoundly moving debut novel that follows an elderly man’s struggle to maintain autonomy over his own life: an emotional story of love, friendship, fatherhood, and atonement that is already an international sensation.
“A tender tale about aging, our own and others, and the quiet brutality of love. About what being a man is, and what being a human is, about fathers and sons and fathers and dogs. It’s a book for anyone who’s had to say goodbye.”—Fredrik Backman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove
“A powerful, sneakily emotional meditation on life and death, and the foundational relationships in our lives. This is a book that will echo in your soul.” —Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain
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.
My Review
In Lisa Ridzén’s poignant and heartfelt debut, WHEN CRANES FLY SOUTH (translated by Alice Menzies), readers are drawn into the tender journey and reflections of an elderly father, his faithful dog, his adult son, his wife with dementia, and his caretakers.
This beautifully crafted narrative captures the essence of love, longing, and the profound bonds that connect us.
As time slips away like sand through an hourglass, an aging father embarks on a desperate quest to mend his connection with his adult son, racing against the ticking clock of fate. The quiet urgency of his mission, intertwined with the unwavering companionship of his devoted dog, evokes a deep emotional resonance that touches the heart.
Inspiration...
The spark that ignited this moving story came from the poignant discovery of notes left by the care team for Lisa Ridzén's family as her grandfather faced the twilight of his life. These heartfelt messages served as a catalyst for a narrative that reflects the complexity of family ties and the universal struggle to find connection and understanding in their last days.
About..
Nestled in the enchanting, sprawling wilderness of northern Sweden, a remote area unfolds, graced with lush woods, shimmering lakes, and vibrant meadows—a perfect sanctuary for Bo and his loyal elkhound, Sixten. However, the tranquility of this idyllic setting is punctuated by concern from his grown son, Hans, who worries about the well-being of his elderly father living alone amidst nature's embrace.
The story unfolds through the poignant musings of Bo, age 89, a resilient former timber mill worker whose years have been richly textured with experience and love. Home alone, he finds solace in the presence of Sixten, his faithful canine companion, even as caregivers make their daily rounds, providing assistance and comfort.
Bo's heart is heavy with the absence of his beloved wife, Frederika, whose mind has become a labyrinth of confusion, leaving her unable to recognize the man she once cherished. She has been relocated to a dementia care home, and with her departure, Bo is engulfed in waves of longing and reminiscence.
Complicating matters is Hans, Bo’s son, whose rocky relationship with his father is rife with tension. Hans, recently divorced, is relentless in his belief that Bo is no longer capable of caring for Sixten and threatens to take the dog away.
This prospect ignites a firestorm of emotions within Bo, leading him to imagine cutting Hans out of his will, a bitter thought that reveals the depths of his despair. Their fragile bond hangs precariously, a reminder of how he endured a similar disconnect with his own father.
Amid this family turmoil, Bo's granddaughter, Ellinor, remains a bright spot, offering fleeting glimpses of warmth and connection. The mere thought of losing Sixten, his sole companion in this twilight of life, stirs profound reflections within him—contemplations on love, the fragility of relationships, and the expressions of affection he has shared throughout his long journey.
Among the challenges he faces, Bo finds camaraderie in Ture, a dear friend who, like him, receives care from devoted caregivers. Their conversations, conducted through geriatric phones, become a cherished ritual, a lifeline of shared stories and laughter amidst the complexities of aging.
From the gentle light of May to the crisp air of October, we embark on Bo’s journey, a profound exploration of the simple joys and overlooked moments that shape a life. This breathtaking debut will linger in your heart long after you close the book, inviting you to reflect on your own connections and the echoes of love that resonate through the years.
My thoughts...
WHEN CRANES FLY SOUTH is a beautifully poignant story that delves into the life of an aging man who nostalgically reflects on a time when he held control over his destiny. Now, confined by the limitations of age, he grapples with the loss of his dignity, becoming increasingly dependent on his caregivers, yet he finds solace in the few he cherishes.
The writing is exquisite, interwoven with heartfelt notes and tender memories shared by his caretakers, adding depth to this tender narrative. It’s a touching exploration of his wife’s struggle with dementia—a heartbreaking reality highlighted by his bittersweet ritual of preserving her favorite scarf in a jar, an attempt to capture and maintain the delicate scent that evokes memories of love and warmth.
At the same time, he confronts the complexities of his strained relationship with his son, revealing layers of familial tension and longing for connection.
Through Bo’s first-person, present-tense narration, the story unfolds with vivid imagery and dreamlike digressions. As he navigates the twilight of his life, he is haunted by the specter of his father's rage, seeking to confront his past while yearning to make amends with his son.
Captivating! This unforgettable novel is rich with memorable characters and lush descriptions that bring time, place, food, and landscape to life. It paints a profound yet bittersweet picture of aging—a journey marked by sadness, heartbreak, but ultimately, a glimmer of hope. Prepare to have some Kleenex handy as the story tugs at your heartstrings.
Having cared for both my aging parents until the end, I found myself profoundly resonating with this book, reflecting on my experiences while navigating this current phase of my life. Such narratives are not only inspiring but also thought-provoking, making them ideal for sparking rich discussions in book clubs.
I eagerly anticipate reading more from this talented new voice in fiction, whose extensive background adds an intriguing layer to her storytelling.
Recs...
WHEN CRANES FLY SOUTH is a must-read for fans of authors like Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth Berg, Catherine Ryan Hyde, and Nicholas Sparks (all favorites). It appeals to anyone seeking fiction that offers a deeper understanding of the lives of the elderly and the intricate tapestry of their relationships.
Many thanks to Knopf Doubleday/Vintage for graciously providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. It was a joy to be introduced to this talented, fresh voice in fiction, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my honest thoughts. I look forward to listening to the audiobook narrated by Ifan Huw Dafydd.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 19, 2025
Praise
“Engaging. . . . Moving. . . . Readers will laugh and cry. In Bo, Ridzén has created a character who can evoke empathy in anyone.” —Library Journal (starred review)
“A powerful, sneakily emotional meditation on life and death, and the foundational relationships in our lives. This is a book that will echo in your soul.”
—Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain
“A tender tale about ageing, our own and others, and the quiet brutality of love. About what being a man is, and what being a human is, about fathers and sons and fathers and dogs. It’s really a book for anyone who’s had to say goodbye. The kind of book you give to someone when you’re really trying to say “I’ve been thinking about you” but don’t know how.”
—Fredrik Backman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove
“A simple yet effective meditation on mortality, love and care. . . . Anyone anywhere who has worried for a crumbling parent, or worried about the crumble in themselves, or simply worried that their dog understood them better than their family, will identify with Ridzén’s novel and take it to heart.”
—The Guardian (London)
About the Author
Photo credit: Gabriel Liljevall
Lisa Ridzén (b.1988) is a doctoral student in sociology, researching masculinity norms in the rural communities of the Swedish far north, where she herself was raised and now lives in a small village outside of Östersund. The idea for her heartrending debut When the Cranes Fly South came from the discovery of notes her Grandfather’s care team had left the family as he neared the end of his life. She began penning the novel whilst attending Långholmen Writer’s Academy.
About the Translator
Alice Menzies holds a master of arts in Translation Theory and Practice from University College London, specializing in the Scandinavian languages. Her translations include works by Jonas Hassen Khemiri, Fredrik Backman, Tove Alsterdal and Jens Liljestrand. She lives in London. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
