When a book is translated into English and it's beautifully written, who should get the credit? The author or the translator? Because it seems it isn't just a matter of throwing the words into Google Translate - there is so much more to it. This book was originally written in Swedish.
This is a wonderful book. It is sad, touching, emotional, lovely. It must be that I'm on a roll with books about elderly gentlemen, and I know few will agree with me, but I prefer this novel to Theo in Golden... although the books differ greatly.
Bo lives alone since his wife has had to move into a memory care facility. He is struggling with normal age issues like balance and muscle weakness, and so his son, Hans, has hired caregivers to come in throughout the day and help him. Most of the book is told in Bo's mind as if he is speaking to his wife. He often brings up old memories or thoughts of her and their life together, and these are constantly interrupted by the present. He keeps one of her scarfs in a jar and opens it whenever he wants to smell her scent. And he finds comfort in caring for his dog. However, Hans feels that he can no longer handle the dog and plans to move it to a family nearby which makes Bo furious.
This book is all about aging and the frustration of having to give up control to children and others to make decisions for us. It's also about regrets and ultimately wanting to make things right with our family and friends before it's too late.
A nice little touch throughout the novel is there are notes left by the caregivers documenting Bo's activity for the next person who will visit.
This is one that will stick with me for a while. Highly recommend - June
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