One of the most unique works of fiction I've ever read. I guess this author is more known for her children series about the Moomin characters, but I haven't read those, so this was my first introduction to Finnish author Tove Jansson. It was dark in topic and imagery but also light, in structure and words, with simple but descriptive text that draws you in to the Scandinavian northern winter landscape and the lives of the odd characters that interact in it - a reclusive children's book artist and a young woman and her brother who become intricately involved in the author's world. It was the first New York Review of Books publication I've read, and I quite appreciated the design and quality. That alone is enough to make me want to read more NYRB books. Difficult and almost hard-to-believe characters live together anxiously in a winter house. The story leaves the reader reflecting on personal perception, dealing with other people, waiting. It dragged a bit for me but there were some good lines including:"The village lay soundless under untouched snow until the children were let out and dug tunnels and caves and shrieked and were left to themselves. They were forbidden to throw snowballs at Katri Kling’s window but did it anyway""I have gradually learned that everyone, absolutely everyone of every size, is out to get something. People want things. It comes to them naturally. Of course they get more skilful with age, and they’re no longer so disarmingly obvious, but the goal doesn’t change. Your children simply haven’t had time to learn how it’s done. That’s what we call innocence."
What do You think about Kunniallinen Petkuttaja (1982)?
There's a cool tension that runs through this novel. Its conflicts are subtle, but compelling.
—dcasey
Very different from most fiction and worlds apart from her Moomintroll books!
—GDRMrX
Very atmospheric book about some mentally ill Finnish villagers and a dog.
—Aprilar
Review to come (I need to think about it a bit)
—terri
