DRIFTING – Book Two in the Gathering SeriesBy Henrik Kruse
In
Drifting, the men from
Gathering return—older, wounded, stubbornly alive—and still determined to help others navigate the fear, grief, and wild hope that arrive when cancer uproots a life.
The story opens in the shadow of Cohen's death, where his final letter becomes a quiet spark for the Imam, pushing him toward a new, more daring phase of his own inner journey. As he and young Kim form an unlikely bond, their adventures—whether chasing sea eagles above a Danish lake or coaxing life out of a greenhouse full of cannabis plants—reveal the fragile, funny, painful ways men search for meaning when time suddenly feels limited.
Meanwhile, Monty and the Merchant stumble into a chaotic, comical flea-market world where rumors spread faster than truth. Their misadventures lead the team to a new patient: a sick sailor on Samsø, whose past and prognosis force the men to confront their own promises, loyalties, and ideas of courage.
Jobs, the team's unofficial leader, is pulled into a parallel mission—one about integration, identity, and the tension between fear and responsibility in modern Denmark. His conversations with an imam and two young men from the neighborhood become some of the novel's most emotionally piercing moments, revealing how easily good intentions collide with unspoken truths.
Across these intersecting threads, Drifting explores friendship, masculinity, vulnerability, and the deep human desire to matter—to someone, to something—before it is too late. Humor mixes with heartbreak; small moments become turning points; and even the most unlikely characters discover that drifting doesn't mean being lost. It can also mean being carried to exactly where one needs to be.
For readers who enjoy:- character-driven fiction with emotional depth
- stories about men's inner lives, bonding, and transformation
- novels that blend humor with existential themes
- ensemble casts with intertwined perspectives
- Scandinavian tone: grounded, honest, warm, and quietly philosophical
About the Author Henrik Kruse is a Danish novelist and author of
When Life Changes Men and
The Brotherhood trilogy. His writing blends psychological insight, humor, and emotional realism, often exploring how relationships, crises, and moments of unexpected clarity shape a person's life. After early retirement, he moved to Argentina, where he now writes full-time and cultivates avocado trees—two activities that continue to influence his storytelling in surprising ways.
