"A moving portrait of growing old , holding, and letting go"
Told in the first person from the perspective of Bo, an elderly man increasingly dependent on others, and interspersed with entries from his carers’ log, When the Cranes Fly South explores what happens when ageing begins to take away not only independence, but also choice.
Bo’s adult son is pushing him towards some life-changing decisions, convinced that his father is no longer capable of managing certain aspects of his own life, including looking after his beloved dog. At first, the relationship can appear simple: a curmudgeonly old man resisting change and an interfering, seemingly heartless son determined to take control. But as the story unfolds, it becomes something far more nuanced, revealing the fears, frustrations and good intentions of everyone involved.
Tender, perceptive and deeply moving, this is a thoughtful exploration of growing old, losing friends and faculties, and the difficult balance between protecting someone you love and allowing them to retain their dignity and independence. Perfect for readers who loved Elizabeth Is Missing.
Bo is running out of time. Yet time is one of the few things he's got left; his body is failing him and his quiet existence is only broken up by the daily visits from his home care team. His hands soon too weak to open the precious jar housing the scarf of his Alzheimer-stricken wife Frederika, which still bears her scent. Fortunately he still has his beloved elkhound Sixten for company, only now his son insists upon taking the dog away. The very same son that Bo is wanting to mend his relationship with before his time is up. The threat of losing Sixten stirs up a whirlwind of emotions that make him look back at his life, his fatherhood and the way he expresses his love.When the Cranes Fly South is a profoundly moving debut about an ageing man's fight to keep the power over his own life.
Bo is running out of time. Yet time is one of the few things he's got left; his body is failing him and his quiet existence is only broken up by the daily visits from his home care team.
When the Cranes Fly South features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: Interior life, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Fiction in translation, Family Drama
Paperback. Not Available.
When the Cranes Fly South was written by Lisa Ridzén and published by Doubleday an imprint of Transworld
When the Cranes Fly South has 320 pages