Given that I’ve only read two novels by Finnish authors in the lifetime of this blog up until now, I’ve managed to accumulate a nice TBR pile (above, with added Harry). There’s a good mix in it too – not all crime novels.
The pile on the left is all Tove Jansson as you can see. Four Moomin books plus some of her adult works. I have to apologise to Sort of Books hugely for the Moomins which they so kindly sent me when they started reissuing them a few years ago, and I put them on the shelf – to look at it seems. Now I’ve read The Summer Book and just adored it, so I can turn to the Moomins. Although the Moomin books were in the library when I was a kid, I managed to bypass them and never got to love them as a child in the 1960s. Now, Moomin merch is everywhere, they are so cute – I’ve bought greetings cards from Oxfam, and have a jigsaw from Flame Tree.
The Summer Book, which I’ve been meaning to read for years would doubtless have been my gateway book into Finnish literature, so I’ve read it now – review soon.
Of those in my pile, I intend to read Antti Tuomainen’s The Healer – his translation debut and a dystopia to boot; I loved his latest The Rabbit Factor. I shall also read Alto Paasilinna’s The Year of the Hare, which caught my eye. There may be time for one more novel this week – but which?
Can you recommend any other modern novels or NF by Finnish authors to me?
I grew up reading the Moomins but I remember they sort of creeped me out 😆 I’m not sure why but I never really warmed to them.
My record with Finnish writing is extremely poor. I have only reviewed one on my blog… “Ice Moon” by Jan Costin Wagner, a crime novel that is set in Finland but translated from the German 🤷🏻♀️ I think Periene Press have a few Finnish books on their list…
I have two of the Peirene Finnish ones in my TBR above, and read another last year.
I was so into Narnia, books like Garner’s Weirdstone of Brisingamen and Fairy Tales at that age that I bypassed the Moomins completely – they were so cute I thought the text would be too cute too, which it is a bit, but strange too!
The mother of one of my closest childhood friends was Finnish so we were introduced to the Moomins very early on but I love Tove Jansson’s books for grownups too. She can do no wrong in my eyes. I’m also very fond of Antti Tuomainen, so I hope you have a good time with his debut novel.
Turns out The Healer was his third novel, first English translation! VG – more serious than the Rabbit Factor, but I really enjoyed it as Cli-fi / Spec fic dystopian setting.
I loved Philip Teir’s The Winter War. Can’t go wrong with Tove Jansson, though!
I have that book on my shelves – didn’t realise he was Finnish!
I know – that name hardly screams Finnish at you! I’ve reviewed it if you want to take a look.
I remember yours and Victoria’s Shiny review, I bought it after those write-ups. 😀
Definitely read the Moomins! I missed them as a child but loved them as an adult!!
I will get to the Moomins!
So glad you’ve read ‘The Summer Book’ now, look forward to your review! I’ve got another Moomin book for the end of Nordic FINDS but am interested in what recommendations arise for Finnish writers.
Review coming later tonight I hope.
I’m not going to be of much help to you sorry. I tried The Midwife by Katja Kettu a couple of years ago but abandoned it pretty quickly as confusing. I see you have a Sofi Oksanen in the stack. I attempted When the Doves Disappeared by her. Another one I couldn’t finish.
I seem to have better success with the other Nordic countries!
Oh dear – but we can’t all gel with the same books. Susan liked the Oksanen, but I don’t think I’ll have time to fit it in this week.
It’s the variety of reactions that makes reading other people’s blog posts interesting
My first review for Finland week is here. Author is Finnish, raised in Sweden, now lives in Ireland and writes in English! https://lizzysiddal.wordpress.com/2022/01/24/the-iron-age-arja-kajermo-nordicfinds-finland/
I’ve added your review to my master list. Thank you!
Thank you for this overview. I always knew about the Moomins, or Mumintrollen, as we say in Swedish, seeing them on television, but I have actually not read any of the books. I am far behind even if I only read one book from each country. Even behind on the Swedish one. I will be reading The American Girl by Monika Fagerholm for the Finnish week, but not yet started. January turned out to be too many books for my challenges and book club reads. Will probably continue into February with my chosen books.
There is no need to join in by reading a book if you don’t have time, but thank you so much for engaging via the comments. The Fagerholm book seems to be mentioned often, so if you do have time to read it, I’ll be very interested to see what you think.
I’m alarmed by the Moomins, too! I’ve just had Finnish Lapland in my Magnetic North book by Sara Wheeler, I think that’s the only Finland I’ll get in but I have been working for my Finnish clients all week so far!
Tove Jansson is always a joy! Harry is a very handsome boy 🙂