Janne Ora
Janne Ora (b. 1965) is a writer and freelance journalist specializing in medicine. Ora’s debut novel, Rajamailla (In the Borderlands, Tammi, 2008), which is set in Africa, received an enthusiastic public reception. In addition to novels, short stories, and journalism, Ora has also written drama for Finnish Broadcasting’s Radio Theater.
Praise:
“Ward of the Stars is a smart, cohesive totality. Janne Ora has given a lot of thought to the big questions he writes about so skillfully and maturely. The language is like a caress in its beauty and well-suited for his purposes. – - We have read a great book. “ −Seppo Puttonen and Nadja Nowak, YLE Uutiset, April 7, 2011
Written by Janne Ora
Ward of the Stars
Jukka and Iiris’ hard work has finally borne fruit: two lines on a stick. Iiris, an ambitious, elite researcher, exceptional both personally and professionally, starts bringing home good luck charms and looking inwards. In sharp contrast to this, Jukka’s short-term job as a spokesman for a human rights organization exposes the humbleness—and humiliation—of the life of an academic doing temp work.
It soon becomes clear that “just as long as the child is healthy” isn’t just a phrase after all. It also becomes clear that the road from conception to birth is not a straight shot to the finish line, being constantly interrupted by all sorts of measurements, weighing, and clock-watching. Jukka cringes at the human rights violations he encounters in his work, but he also recoils at the idea of committing himself to a disabled child for the rest of his life. The situation is not made easier by their circle of acquaintances: Iiris’ brother is a medical researcher specializing in prenatal screening and her grandfather is a legendary expert in obstetrics and gynecology.
The question Janne Ora is asking is who doesn’t belong and who has the right to decide this. He also looks at the skeletons of history in a new light, raising questions about what kinds of links they may have to the tender points of our own time. The novel begins at the level of the private life of two people but expands to deal with human rights, eugenics, and forced sterilization. The suspense is chilling, but at the same time there is just a hint of thriller here.
Praise:
“The novel skillfully defers the answer by setting the couple’s pregnancy alongside other unbearable-seeming decisions. – - Still, the end result is a book that demands that you think and that sticks in your mind.” −Mervi Kantokorpi, Helsingin Sanomat, April 7, 2011
“Janne Ora’s work becomes a portrait of the modern man. Its confident, comfortable style avoids cliché and bluster. – - This book is a direct hit in its genre.’’ −Arto Vaahtokari, Aamuposti, April 10, 2011
‘‘The style of this thought-provoking work varies from that of a technical document to effusions of emotion. Special praise is due to the natural, realistic dialog.’’ – Heini Sivonen, Ilta-Sanomat April 23, 2011
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