“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” –Ernest Hemingway
Oh, Ernest, I understand well the emotional attachment a reader can feel for a gorgeous book. In my mind, there’s no question that books offer unconditional companionship and unchanging wisdom. They’re constant. They’re comfort. They’re loyal. Reading can provide “a moveable feast” of experiences for book lovers. Of course, the same can be said for my Golden named Ringo. He’s all of the above plus a soul full of unparalleled devotion. That said, I doubt my latest recommendation about an elderly man who has a deep affinity and need for his beloved elkhound will surprise.
Rachel’s the reason When the Cranes Fly South was in my tbr pile to begin with. (No surprise there either.) When we were in Parnassus Books, she pointed to Lisa Ridzen’s debut novel and said, “This was really good.” When she points at a cover, I take note. The story is about an 89-year-old Swede named Bo who’s perpetually lonely for his wife Fredrika—she’s gone into care because she can’t really remember anything or anyone, including him. Each day caregivers visit Bo at home. His son, Hans, regularly looks in on him too. But his best company by far is his dog Sixton. Bo’s hound becomes a point of contention between he and Hans who believes his father is much too frail for a dog. To be honest, there were times where I wanted to pummel Hans. He fails to see that Sixton is a fine cushion for his father’s old age.
There’s more to this thoughtful character-driven story. Charm, for one. A longing for autonomy is another. And the hope for future peace of mind because things will not be left unsaid. Reviewer Judith McKinnon summed it up well: “It’s a quiet little book, and sometimes I thought as I read it, that there wasn’t really a lot happening. And yet it kept me turning the pages.” When the Cranes Fly South is, by design, meant to be pondered more than consumed.
