| In this month’s fiction highlights, we’re thrilled to share news of In the Rear Window author, Pauliina Susi’s nomination for the ‘Glasnyckeln’ – Glass Key – crime fiction prize for Nordic crime fiction writers. A Swedish translation of the novel is now available. The Glass Key winner will be announced in August – watch this space!
Meanwhile, Jussi Valtonen’s Finlandia Prize winning novel, They Know Not What They Do, was recently published in Germany (Piper) and Hungary (Cser) to warm reviews, and will be out in English this November from Oneworld with the superb cover featured to the right here.
Also in the spotlight is Decent Ingredients, Leena Parkkinen’s sensuous and atmospheric novel about social politics, forbidden love and food in 1950s Helsinki, which recently sold in Italy (Sovera) and we are now delighted to be able to offer you a newly-extended English sample translation by the talented Lola Rogers.
Click here to request further information and reading materials.
PRAISE FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO:
“They Know Not What They Do” is a great novel that shows ambition and the willingness to take risks” – Sand am Meer, Austria
“All in all a time critical novel that explores the individual’s increasing identity struggle, the struggle to root and consolidate.” – Buchtips, Germany
“They Know Not What They Do speaks to a large audience. There are few contemporary novels that can address both adolescents and middle-aged people, university professors and young green activists, parents and children, Europeans and Americans. […] Different opinions collide, but no one is right and no one is wrong. They simply see things differently, as if they were living in another dimension. That’s what their tragedy is about.” – Olvass bele literary blog, Hungary
“Valtonen’s book offers a realistic prospect [of future], so this book is a great way to look a bit into the crystal ball that tells the future.” – Librarius magazine, Hungary
“One of the most extraordinary books of recent times.” – Könyv utca literary blog, Hungary
“It is a thrilling, full-fledged, revolutionary, well-crafted work.” – Vilmos Csányi, Est Ujság, Hungary
PRAISE FOR DECENT INGREDIENTS:
“A fine novel that would have perhaps worked even without its plot about espionage. Bon appetit!” – Savon Sanomat newspaper, Finland
“Parkkinen hooks the reader with an intriguing story written in wonderfully ornate and rich language, which is, however, very accessible. She gives away so delicious recipes from Saara and Elisabeth’s kitchen that one can’t help one’s mouth from watering. Reading this book will make you hungry!” – Lukuneuvoja blog, Finland
“All in all a very readable book…” – Ja kaikkea muuta blog, Finland
“If you are at all interested in food, love, secret agents or well-told stories, you really ought to read Leena Parkkinen’s Decent Ingredients. Parkkinen’s third novel is so delicious that it is bound to be named by many as the best Finnish read of the year.” Aamulehti newspaper, Finland
“From the first page onwards, I became absorbed in that almost unbearably pleasurable reading frenzy that Parkkinen served in the world and characters she created. Decent Ingredients was a sinfully good novel, the reading of which you cannot stop once you’ve begun…” P.S. I love books, Finland
“Parkkinen is at her best when she describes the relationships between people. Saara’s clinging to Elisabeth is moving. And Elisabeth’s ruthlessness is annoying. The longing of two women’s bodies for one another is beautifully depicted.” Helena Ruuska, Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland
“Leena Parkkinen is one of those writers whose text you are allowed to expect a lot of. And she does not fail you this time, either. Decent Ingredients is a multi-layered story that must be carefully read, up until the last clause, in order to understand everything that Parkkinen is telling us.” Etelä-Saimaa newspaper, Finland |
Loukko by 
