The Ripper
10-04-2010, 07:49 AM
I wanted to create this thread in order to enlighten the good people of TA of the rich and abundant Finnish literary tradition (:p)! Not to mention to make it more accessible to an international audience.
I will start with the obvious:
Under the North Star, translated into English by Richard Impola. It is in my opinion the definite classic on Finland and the Finns of our times. Väinö Linna captures so much of the very essence of Finnish mentality, custom and history. Not to mention that it is a very entertaining read, and it is very easy to relate with the characters.
Here is what Wikipedia has to say:
Under the North Star (Finnish: Täällä Pohjantähden alla) is a novel trilogy by Finnish author Väinö Linna published 1959–1962. It follows the life of a Finnish family from 1880 to about 1950 while simultaneously describing the effects of the important ideals and events of that period (Language strife, Nationalism, Socialism, First World War, Finnish independence, Civil War and Second World War) have on ordinary people. Väinö Linna 1920-1992
The novel shares a few events and one main character, Vilho Koskela, with another novel by Väinö Linna, The Unknown Soldier.
Plot Summary
The story opens with Jussi, a farm hand from Häme, clearing marshland to create a croft, which will later be called Koskela. In the first part of the book tension mounts between crofters and land owners. Jussi's son Akseli becomes an active socialist. At the same time the upper classes are concerned with language strife and Finland's relationship with Russia.
In the second part the Finnish Civil War breaks out. The book describes the atrocities committed on both sides, as well as the tensions which lead up to them. The war hits Koskela harshly, for the family loses two sons.
In the third part the community is dominated by the whites, the victors of the Civil War. In Koskela, however, matters improve as crofters are liberated and Koskela becomes an independent farm. Things turn for the worst at the outbreak of the Second World War. Again Koskela pays a heavy price, losing three sons. The last chapters of the book concentrate on the reconciliatory atmosphere created by the joint hardships endured during the war.
Impact
The book is considered a classic in Finland with print runs into hundreds of thousands. Even most of those who have not read the book recognise the opening words "In the beginning there were the marsh, the hoe - and Jussi".
The second book in the trilogy, The Uprising, generated considerable controversy over its portrayal of the Finnish Civil War because, for the first time, a novel was published that was sympathetic (on human terms, not politically) towards the Reds. Up until then, all history on the Finnish Civil War had been written by the Whites. Under the North Star played a crucial role in starting a discussion in Finland over what really happened in 1918 and in healing decades-old wounds between the two factions.
The translations can be ordered on Amazon (or, if you live in Finland, you can get them from the library :))
http://www.amazon.com/Under-North-Star-V%C3%83%C2%A4in%C3%83%C2%B6-Linna/dp/0968588166
http://www.amazon.com/Uprising-Aspasia-Classics-Finnish-Literature/dp/0968588174/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
http://www.amazon.com/Reconciliation-Aspasia-Classics-Finnish-Literature/dp/0968588182/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c
I might add that I own the first part in English. When I happened to stumble upon it in a bookstore, I was overcome with curiosity over how the translation would read. And to Impola's credit, it is fairly good, although I could find many instances where I would have used a different translation, but I digress.
I also found a couple of Helsingin Sanomat articles in English about this translation project:
First part of Finnish epic novel finally translated into English (http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20011106IE15)
Finland decorates veteran translator Richard Impola (http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20030610IE5)
I will start with the obvious:
Under the North Star, translated into English by Richard Impola. It is in my opinion the definite classic on Finland and the Finns of our times. Väinö Linna captures so much of the very essence of Finnish mentality, custom and history. Not to mention that it is a very entertaining read, and it is very easy to relate with the characters.
Here is what Wikipedia has to say:
Under the North Star (Finnish: Täällä Pohjantähden alla) is a novel trilogy by Finnish author Väinö Linna published 1959–1962. It follows the life of a Finnish family from 1880 to about 1950 while simultaneously describing the effects of the important ideals and events of that period (Language strife, Nationalism, Socialism, First World War, Finnish independence, Civil War and Second World War) have on ordinary people. Väinö Linna 1920-1992
The novel shares a few events and one main character, Vilho Koskela, with another novel by Väinö Linna, The Unknown Soldier.
Plot Summary
The story opens with Jussi, a farm hand from Häme, clearing marshland to create a croft, which will later be called Koskela. In the first part of the book tension mounts between crofters and land owners. Jussi's son Akseli becomes an active socialist. At the same time the upper classes are concerned with language strife and Finland's relationship with Russia.
In the second part the Finnish Civil War breaks out. The book describes the atrocities committed on both sides, as well as the tensions which lead up to them. The war hits Koskela harshly, for the family loses two sons.
In the third part the community is dominated by the whites, the victors of the Civil War. In Koskela, however, matters improve as crofters are liberated and Koskela becomes an independent farm. Things turn for the worst at the outbreak of the Second World War. Again Koskela pays a heavy price, losing three sons. The last chapters of the book concentrate on the reconciliatory atmosphere created by the joint hardships endured during the war.
Impact
The book is considered a classic in Finland with print runs into hundreds of thousands. Even most of those who have not read the book recognise the opening words "In the beginning there were the marsh, the hoe - and Jussi".
The second book in the trilogy, The Uprising, generated considerable controversy over its portrayal of the Finnish Civil War because, for the first time, a novel was published that was sympathetic (on human terms, not politically) towards the Reds. Up until then, all history on the Finnish Civil War had been written by the Whites. Under the North Star played a crucial role in starting a discussion in Finland over what really happened in 1918 and in healing decades-old wounds between the two factions.
The translations can be ordered on Amazon (or, if you live in Finland, you can get them from the library :))
http://www.amazon.com/Under-North-Star-V%C3%83%C2%A4in%C3%83%C2%B6-Linna/dp/0968588166
http://www.amazon.com/Uprising-Aspasia-Classics-Finnish-Literature/dp/0968588174/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
http://www.amazon.com/Reconciliation-Aspasia-Classics-Finnish-Literature/dp/0968588182/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c
I might add that I own the first part in English. When I happened to stumble upon it in a bookstore, I was overcome with curiosity over how the translation would read. And to Impola's credit, it is fairly good, although I could find many instances where I would have used a different translation, but I digress.
I also found a couple of Helsingin Sanomat articles in English about this translation project:
First part of Finnish epic novel finally translated into English (http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20011106IE15)
Finland decorates veteran translator Richard Impola (http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20030610IE5)