When his estranged wife is diagnosed with cancer, artist Wolf comes back to the family home to care for her and their daughter Ruth. Miriam's dying wish is to be cremated and her ashes scattered in the Hudson River as she is originally from New York. So Wolf and Ruth travel to New York to reconnect with Miriam's conservative Jewish family but Wolf also has another agenda.
This book is so cleverly put together that the reader is drawn in to the wildly disparate characters. As realisation slowly dawns the mood slips into a form of pathos so when the 'truth' is revealed it is not a surprise but is eminently sad. The whole set-up of Wolf's increasing dementia is portrayed in an incredibly sympathetic manner and the redemptive love of family comes through it all. A short but very poignant read. ( )

When his wife Miriam days from cancer, Wolf has to take care of their 16-year-old daughter Ruth whom he hardly knows since the couple has been separated for quite some time. Miriam had one last wish: to have her ashes scattered in the Hudson River. Thus, Wolf and Ruth leave London for New York where he also hopes his daughter can find a new home with his former wife’s Jewish family. They arrive at the holy season between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; Wolf has never really been religious and also their daughter has not been raised to follow religious traditions. Yet, with Miriam’s believing relatives, conflicts lie at hand. They only seem to have one mission, yet, there is something else the father has to announce to his daughter.

Austin Duffy’s novel “Ten Days” tells the story of people who have to cope with the loss of a beloved mother and wife. Even though they have not been living as a couple anymore, Wolf’s memories come back when he shows Ruth where they met, where their first kiss took place and where everything began. It seems to be quite difficult for him to deal with his intelligent and at times rebellious teenage daughter, however, the more the narration advances the more questions arise about Wolf’s behaviour which becomes not only quarrelsome but strange.

I totally enjoyed the novel since the characters are lively drawn and really appear to be authentic in the way they try to make sense of Miriam’s death. Ruth is quite independent and strong-willed, when Wolf’s secret is revealed, however, we also get to know another side of her character.

Not a totally emotional read, much more a slow novel which makes you ponder. ( )