The Ferryman And His Wife – Frode Grytten

This is a beautifully written introspective story. On a grey November day, Nils Vik takes his last journey on his ferry boat on a Norwegian fjord. On the way, some dead passengers join him; other former passengers who have died observe as witnesses. His last day alive is not sad, but often transcendent with memories of relationships with his late wife Marta, his two daughters, and many others (including a dead dog who can talk). There is a spareness to his life that is meaningful. Finally, the writing (translated by Alison McCullough) is often breathtaking: “two brothers were like magnets with the same polarity – they approached each other, pushed against each other, and were flung apart again”. Overall, a masterful story about an ordinary yet utterly profound life – highly recommended.