"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.
THE PHENOMENAL SUNDAY TIMES WORD-OF-MOUTH BESTSELLER. A profoundly moving and life-affirming novel about the multitude of stories contained within a life, and the big things for which we have no words.'So heartbreaking and funny and beautiful and wise… an extraordinary book' RICHARD OSMAN
THE PHENOMENAL SUNDAY TIMES WORD-OF-MOUTH BESTSELLER. A profoundly moving and life-affirming novel about the multitude of stories contained within a life, and the big things for which we have no words.'So heartbreaking and funny and beautiful and wise… an extraordinary book' RICHARD OSMAN'You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to buy twenty copies and give them to everyone you love' FREDRIK BACKMAN'The most moving book I've ever read.' JACQUELINE WILSONShortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize & Waterstones Book of the MonthFinalist in the Nota Bene Prize, voted for by readers, 2026______Bo is determined to live his own life in his own way.
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. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
When the Cranes Fly South was written by Lisa Ridzén and published by Penguin Books an imprint of Transworld
When the Cranes Fly South has 308 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.