De Arbeiderspers Acquires the Dutch Rights to LITTLE SWANS by Riikka Pulkkinen

We are excited to share that De Arbeiderspers has acquired the Dutch rights to Riikka Pulkkinen’s LITTLE SWANS, and this marks the second foreign deal following the Estonian pre-empt. The deal was closed by Martti Berner at Ahlbäck Agency.

This is what Commissioning Editor Esther Hendriks had to say:

“This layered literary, metaphorical new novel is the best Riikka Pulkkinen has written so far, we think: heartwarming and lively characters, a world-famous ballet, global politics and the history of war in Finland all come together, perceptively and with deep insight into human behavior and flaws – written in her well-known excellent style: pure, light-footed prose, where every single word has clearly been carefully considered. We are simply over the moon.”

The novel was the #7 bestselling title in Finland in September and continues to receive excellent reviews:

“Little Swans is a finely crafted and memorable work in which every grand jeté and every pas de deux is perfectly placed.” – Helsingin Sanomat Newspaper

“In terms of language, Pulkkinen captures the magic of ballet. It is as if the ballet itself were being read.” – Kotimaa Magazine

“Pulkkinen’s new novel masterfully weaves together ballet and politics. Even the supporting characters are given a role, and no one is left in a minor one. Pulkkinen is a powerful and sensitive portrayer of the uncertainties of youth.” – Me Naiset Magazine

REQUEST MATERIALS FOR LITTLE SWANS HERE

A dazzling novel about growing up, ballet, and the leaps of world politics.

A young girl has just moved with her family to Oulu in 1989. Things are happening in the Soviet Union, Gorbachev’s visit causes a stir, and Finland’s economy is darkening.

The girl’s grandmothers, too, once lived at the crossroads of world history, in a country torn apart by war.

But for the girl, the most important thing is ballet, because her Russian dance teacher embraces an ambitious plan: the amateur group must perform Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, from beginning to end.

This captivating, masterful novel is a growth story hardened by pointe shoes, showing with touching clarity how world events and the individual move hand in hand.