Review: The Ferryman and His Wife

The Ferryman and His Wife is a love letter to life itself. That is not to say it shies away from its darker aspects. Frode Grytten gives equal attention to life’s sweet moments as he does to the mundane—and at times profane—parts of human existence.

Nils Vik wakes up on November 18th knowing it will be the day he dies. He goes about his routine as if it were any other day. He's joined by his long-deceased dog before setting off across a familiar fjord on his beloved ferryboat. Along the route, he encounters several former passengers—each now passed on.

Each passenger carries a story. As Vik recalls his memories of them—some pleasant, others melancholic or confusing—he consults his logbook, noting what he once wrote about each person and moment. The log reflects not only events but the version of himself that lived through them.

For joyful encounters, he may have written a personal note or two. For others, he’s surprised to find he recorded nothing more than the weather. What resonates most is a familiar realization: life’s moments are fleeting, and it’s often the mundane ones that shape us most.

What makes The Ferryman and His Wife remarkable is that Vik is the only living character the reader encounters. Yet the pages overflow with emotion and reflection. Every other character is a memory—some drawn from Vik’s lived experience, others imagined as he wishes they had been. Each passenger becomes a projection, a chance to say what he never could—whether from hesitation or because the moment was taken too soon.

But not all is melancholic. Many memories are warm; the conversations, loving. Grytten crafts a tender and thought-provoking meditation on the transience of life.

As each passenger boards, Vik awaits reunion with his wife, Marta. As the title suggests, many of Vik’s most powerful memories revolve around his one true love. From their first meeting to their marriage and eventual parting, Grytten centers the narrative on love. Their relationship, though not without hardship, paints a portrait of enduring devotion.

In short, Norwegian author Frode Grytten has crafted a poignant and beautiful reflection on the human experience. The Ferryman and His Wife will leave readers quietly moved, prompting reflection on their own lives. It is a book to be savored—and remembered.

Pre-order now, coming November 2025