A Right Smart Reflection on the Ravages of Time, Swedish Style
When the Cranes Fly South (Tranerna flyger söderut) by Lisa Ridzén is a Swedish novel reflection on the ravages on time. She’s a researcher, they say, and a doctor-to-be, which means she probably knows a thing or two about the inner workings of a body and a mind – and it surely shows in this, her first book. And let me tell you, it’s a mighty fine debut.
My rating for When the Cranes Fly South – 5
Buy When the Cranes Fly South from Amazon.com*
More Books by Lisa Ridzén*
More Books Translated by Alice Menzies*
My Two Cents
This here book is a genuine peach, written with a hand as steady as a as a Swedish fisherman making fishcakes. It’s readable, pulls at the heartstrings , and leaves you pondering deeper than a philosopher with a head full of highfalutin ideas. From the get-go, you just know you’re in for a sad little journey, but it’s a gentle kind of sorrow, like a quiet sunset after a long day. And hats off to that Alice Menzies, the translator; she’s done a bang-up job making these Swedish words sing in English.
Our main fellow, a chap named Bo, he knows his time is about up. And he’s facing all the undignified stuff that comes with getting old – the body rebelling, memories slipping away like sand through your fingers, friends moving on to the great beyond, and that pesky independence just plain vanishing. But even with all that, he’s still got a dignity about him, stubborn as a mule sometimes, but we’re just standing by and watching. We’re right there in his head, feeling every bit as vulnerable as he does.
Now, as an American, one thing that struck me harder than a hickory stick was the way those Swedes treat their old folks. Over here, unless you’re richer than a king, you’re pretty much on your own, depending on kinfolk. But in Sweden? Why, the elderly get folks coming by three, four times a day – making their vittles, washing them up, sitting a spell for company, and all sorts of things. Makes a man wonder if we ain’t missing a trick or two on this side of the pond.
Old Bo, he looks back on a long life, seems like it just flew by like a startled bird. He ponders his father, his boy, and his missus. His grand-daughter, bless her heart, and his old pals. And, of course, that faithful dog of his, Sixten, his one steady companion, who they’re trying to take away from him.
And that just isn’t right!
Sad and emotional as this book is, it’s harder to put down than a good hand of poker. If you’ve ever had to bid farewell to someone you cared for, this book’s gonna grab hold of your heart and not let go. Those characters, they’ll stick with you for weeks, setting up shop in your mind and making you think on all your own loved ones.
The Gist of It
So, our hero, Bo, he’s eighty-nine years old, and he knows the Grim Reaper is just around the bend. He misses his wife, Frederika, who’s got that memory-stealing sickness, Alzheimer’s, and the only comfort he gets is sniffing a scarf that still carries her scent.
Bo’s madder than a wet hen at his son and those caretakers, because they’re trying to snatch away his only buddy, that elkhound, Sixten. And all through the book, Bo just thinks back on his life, on all the folks he’s known and loved, and on the aggravating trials of a body that’s just plain wearing out.
Buy When the Cranes Fly South from Amazon.com*
More Books by Lisa Ridzén*
More Books Translated by Alice Menzies*
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account, the money is usually spent on books
