Nils Vik wakes up on November the 18th and knows it will be the day he dies. He follows his morning routine as voices from his past echo in his mind, and looks around the empty house one last time, before stepping onto his beloved boat.
His dog, dead these many years, leaps aboard with him, and then the other dead begin to emerge – from the woods along the fjord, from each of the ferry stops along the route, from his logbook full of memories and quotations and jotted-down notes about the weather conditions. The people from the past accompany him now, prodding him, showing him what he might have missed before, as he waits for his Marta, his late, remarkable wife, to finally join him on the boat again.
Winner of the prestigious Brage Prize, and considered to be Grytten’s long-awaited masterpiece, The Ferryman and His Wife is the story of a quiet, yet utterly profound, life told in reverse. Timeless and absorbing, this is a novel about what we take with us – those moments that might seem insignificant as they happen but prove to be the most meaningful, in the end.
The Ferryman and His Wife is a contemplative literary novel about life, memories, death, and family with elements of magical realism. Even though the book has an overall storyline, it’s not linearly structured as you read it—instead it meditates on any ordinary ferryman’s life, memories, relationships (and love of his life), and mortality as he spends his final day ferrying people across a fjord.
The story follows Nils Vik, an older ferry driver, who wakes up on a crisp November morning, knowing it will be his last day. He walks through his home one last time, then boards his faithful boat on the fjord. As he steers across the water, passengers he has ferried over the years begin to board—not the living, but the dead. On his mind is his beloved late wife, Marta, whom he plans to meet at the end of the journey.
Nils Vik is a compelling, introspective protagonist. His entire life has been spent ferrying people across the fjord—and the story focuses on his reflections of his various passengers and relationships in nearby communities over the decades. Knowing it’s his last day of life, he has a calm acceptance of his fate and longs to reconnect with his beloved Marta. His relationship with Marta, though in the past, is the emotional heart of the story—her last days with him, the pain of her absence, and his need to reunite with her are all beautifully illustrated in the book. The ghosts of his past, both good and evil, accompany him on his journey in the fjord, and in their company, Nils is forced to contemplate what his life has been. Don’t expect any dramatic transformation or emotional arcs—instead be prepared for a compelling, thought-provoking narrative that will have readers mirroring Nils’s mindset and reflecting on their own lives.
The pacing is slow and thoughtful throughout. Readers will immediately be drawn in with Nil’s saying farewell to his longtime home that’s filled with memories and will feel the atmospheric hush of the fjord and the slow movement of the boat as he begins his journey. The majority of the plot sees Nils pick up passengers and recollect small stories and brief encounters in a drawn-out, mesmerizing manner. Some readers may feel the pacing is too slow, but it really suits the contemplative vibe of the story and Nil’s charming character. After such a journey, the ending feels a bit rushed, but it’s still poignant, lyrically written, and will stay with readers!
Overall, this is a beautifully written literary meditation on life and death that feels somewhat like a Nordic fable. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories, poetic prose, and existential reflection. If all this sounds intriguing and you’ve enjoyed books by authors like Fredrik Backman and Sarah Winman, be sure to add this one to your list!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of The Ferryman And His Wife is an atmospheric, reflective listen narrated by Colin Mace, a British actor and audiobook narrator renowned for his ability to convey emotional nuance & compelling character portrayals.
Mace gives protagonist Nils Vik a calm, reflective, and slightly weathered voice that perfectly conveys the character’s wisdom and melancholy. When narrating all of Nil’s memories and recollections throughout the decades, Mace subtly shifts tone and pacing, allowing nostalgic moments (especially those involving Nil’s beloved wife Marta) to linger. The pacing and varied expression create a clear distinction between Nil’s past and what’s unfolding on his final day of life, making it easy for listeners to follow along!
There are a lot of characters for such a short novel, and Mace provides distinct voices and personalities for each—whether they be former passengers, ghostly figures, or Nils’s immediate family, making for a very engaging, satisfying listening experience! Even Nil’s deceased dog, Luna, who appears in spirit and travels with him, comes to life and adds warmth to the story. Mace’s slower pacing perfectly matches both Nil’s personality and the contemplative, quiet reflection and impending ending and makes it more immersive.
In summary, Colin Mace elevates this beautifully written story with his calm, dynamic pacing and authentic character portrayals. This audiobook is a great option for listeners who love contemplative literary fiction, emotionally layered narratives, and calm narrator performances where every scene and character experience is vividly illustrated!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of The Ferryman And His Wife is an atmospheric, reflective listen narrated by Colin Mace, a British actor and audiobook narrator renowned for his ability to convey emotional nuance & compelling character portrayals.
Mace gives protagonist Nils Vik a calm, reflective, and slightly weathered voice that perfectly conveys the character’s wisdom and melancholy. When narrating all of Nil’s memories and recollections throughout the decades, Mace subtly shifts tone and pacing, allowing nostalgic moments (especially those involving Nil’s beloved wife Marta) to linger. The pacing and varied expression create a clear distinction between Nil’s past and what’s unfolding on his final day of life, making it easy for listeners to follow along!
There are a lot of characters for such a short novel, and Mace provides distinct voices and personalities for each—whether they be former passengers, ghostly figures, or Nils’s immediate family, making for a very engaging, satisfying listening experience! Even Nil’s deceased dog, Luna, who appears in spirit and travels with him, comes to life and adds warmth to the story. Mace’s slower pacing perfectly matches both Nil’s personality and the contemplative, quiet reflection and impending ending and makes it more immersive.
In summary, Colin Mace elevates this beautifully written story with his calm, dynamic pacing and authentic character portrayals. This audiobook is a great option for listeners who love contemplative literary fiction, emotionally layered narratives, and calm narrator performances where every scene and character experience is vividly illustrated!
The audiobook of The Ferryman And His Wife is an atmospheric, reflective listen narrated by Colin Mace, a British actor and audiobook narrator renowned for his ability to convey emotional nuance & compelling character portrayals.
Mace gives protagonist Nils Vik a calm, reflective, and slightly weathered voice that perfectly conveys the character’s wisdom and melancholy. When narrating all of Nil’s memories and recollections throughout the decades, Mace subtly shifts tone and pacing, allowing nostalgic moments (especially those involving Nil’s beloved wife Marta) to linger. The pacing and varied expression create a clear distinction between Nil’s past and what’s unfolding on his final day of life, making it easy for listeners to follow along!
There are a lot of characters for such a short novel, and Mace provides distinct voices and personalities for each—whether they be former passengers, ghostly figures, or Nils’s immediate family, making for a very engaging, satisfying listening experience! Even Nil’s deceased dog, Luna, who appears in spirit and travels with him, comes to life and adds warmth to the story. Mace’s slower pacing perfectly matches both Nil’s personality and the contemplative, quiet reflection and impending ending and makes it more immersive.
In summary, Colin Mace elevates this beautifully written story with his calm, dynamic pacing and authentic character portrayals. This audiobook is a great option for listeners who love contemplative literary fiction, emotionally layered narratives, and calm narrator performances where every scene and character experience is vividly illustrated!
