Are you okay, Dad? she asked.
Yes, he said. Will there be someone there to meet you?
Yes, Dad, there will.
Do you have money on you?
Yes, Dad.
Got your passport?
Yes, Dad.
Umbrella?
Yes, Dad.
Contraception?
Yes, Dad.
Do you love me? Yes, Dad.
— Frode Grytten, The Ferryman and His Wife. Translated from Norwegian to English by Alison McCullough. (Algonquin Books, November 18, 2025)
Notes:
- Recommended.
- Book Review by Eileen Garvin: Read This: The Ferryman and His Wife by Frode Grytten
- Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.
Trying to make me cry on my Thursday? #1 Son only a month away from his biggest journey yet. Is he ready? 💯. Is his mom? Not.at.ALL.
Awww
❤️
It sounds interesting, but I am too wimpy for it!
Oh I’m certain you are not!
Oh my…. damn you, David. It has been added to my list.
😀
😏
After reading Eileen Garvin’s summary, it seems to me that I’ve read more than one book with a similar content; I loved all of it/them, but couldn’t recall the titles now.
On the other hand, I’m reading another precious novel, very slowly, a few pages each night before sleeping, so that it will last me a bit longer yet. I was even thinking a few times: I should send the title to Dave – I wonder would he like it….
It’s a SLOW but never boring read for ppl who love contemplating… their own life, the life of OTTO, happenings in other ppl’s life, ppl you love(d) – the title is The Restoration of Otto Laird, by Nigel Packer.
It was published in 2014 and I have absolutely no idea why I came across it now. What I love is the description of this complex man, with whom I have literally nothing in common, as he’s a retired architect of then iconic concrete buildings, tall, slightly befuddled, leaving his Swiss retreat (maybe that was the link?), re-visiting one last time his most momentous building, a then revolutionary ‘sky-scraper’ for a mixture of all social standings, offering affordable housing… I love the choice of words, the description of feelings, sentiments, and I ache with the old man over all that was so wonderful and new, but is now doomed to be demolished, walls covered in graffiti, rubbish everywhere.
Kiki STOP IT NOW…. this is not your ‘bookclub review’. Anyway, I would truly love to read the ferryman’s last trip too, so THANK YOU Dave.
Thank you for sharing Kiki. This books seems like it’s right up my alley. Appreciate you!
I like the contraception part. What a dad.
Laughing. It did pop out!
I love the concept of this. and the story happens on my birthday, so now I am all in.
Well isn’t that an amazing coincidence!
Minus the contraception part, this resembles my dad.
Dad worked a lot. He was not a workaholic. He just worked a lot. The little time I had with him, he was tender and attentive to me. I never caught him looking, but he was always paying attention to me.
He once offered me a ride to school, when I was in college. College was downtown Montréal, and we lived in the suburbs. I rarely got a ride by car. I ran to get ready. He looked at me as we were about to walk out the door and noticed a few wrinkles on the collar of my Forrest green silky shirt. He very calmly said that a girl like me can’t go out like this. He ironed my shirt for me, and I still got a ride.
Yeah, he’s like that.
Thank you for sharing, dk.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing Sawsan.
Beautiful story about the green shirt collar Sawsan… and always wonderful to hear from you!