Warning: this book WILL make you cry. But in a good way. When the Cranes Fly South follows the last few months in the life of Bo, an elderly man living in rural Sweden with just his pet dog, Sixten, for company. As his world becomes ever more circumscribed, Bo spends ever more time immersed in his memories — taking stock of his life, particularly his relationships with his family. Meanwhile, his days are interspersed with visits from caregivers, whose notes on Bo’s daily care form part of the novel, and visits from well-meaning family and friends. Profound, poignant, and achingly sad, When the Cranes Fly South is perfect reading for anyone who has ever loved and lost someone. In other words, all of us.
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén, (List Price: $18, Vintage, 9798217006731, August 2025)
Reviewed by Jude Burke-Lewis, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi