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We could not be happier to share that THE RED ROOM by Kaj Korkea-aho has now been shortlisted for the prestigious Runeberg Prize 2022!
ABOUT THE BOOK: When a gentleman living alone offers a young author the home of his dreams in exchange for writing a book, the young man finds himself involved in a remarkable game. He begins to write a story that takes the reader to the labyrinth of desire and submission, to the nightlife of 1980s Helsinki, and to the intricate setups of relationships between men – but what is his place in it?
Download the English synopsis and sample by clicking here
ABOUT THE PRIZE:
The Runeberg Prize is open to all Finnish works of fiction. Since 1982, it has been distributed 35 times so far, and in addition to novels, collections of short stories and poems have emerged as winning works.
The winner of the award will be announced on Runeberg Day on February 5, 2022.
JURY PRAISE:
THE RED ROOM is psychologically skillful and pulsates with drive and strong allure. It depicts a world that for most readers is unfamiliar and hidden.
– Runeberg Prize Jury on THE RED ROOM
THE RED ROOM
by Kaj Korkea-aho
Lust and power collide in an upscale apartment in the fashionable southern Helsinki. The steep and sturdy Art Nouveau walls have seen decadent parties and cruel games.
At first, it’s just a joke: a newspaper ad in which a young writer promises to write a book in exchange for an affordable apartment. But when a gentleman living alone offers him the home of his dreams, the young man finds himself involved in a remarkable game.
He begins to write a story that takes the reader to the labyrinth of desire and submission, to the nightlife of 1980s Helsinki, and to the intricate setups of relationships between men – but what is his place in it?
Kaj Korkea-aho (b. 1983) is a writer, columnist and a comedian. Moreover, he has a career as an actor and a host in TV and radio. In his varied acting roles, he has often taken a stand for the rights of queer people, and his texts often discuss themes such as growing up, sexual minorities, religious revival communities and literature.
THE RED ROOM
Röda rummet
Förlaget, 2021, 320pp
RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND (Swedish): Förlaget (orig.)
FINLAND (Finnish): Otava
SWEDEN: Förlaget
