Where It All Begins

Salla Simukka

Original title: Tästä kaikki alkaa

Author: Salla Simukka

Published: 2022

Publisher: FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 169

Reading material:

English sample & synopsis

The first adult novel by Finland’s #1 internationally bestselling and award-winning YA author!

Autopsy of a relationship - literary suspense at its best!

Award-winning illustrator Nova moves with her partner, Isla, into a dream house in the middle of a forest. However, the calm and quiet of the light in a faraway region is not enough to fix the cracks in the relationship.

After the breakup, Nova isolates herself in her office to illustrate old Finnish horror stories, which unexpectedly reveal a link to the new home. Isla, in turn, does not seem willing to accept the situation but carries on in the shared home as if nothing has happened. When reality seems to distort, the confused Nova comes face-to-face with the sorrows of the past. In what does one dare trust?

A gradually darkening story about love - where it begins, what it survives, and how it ends.

Simukka narrates the story effortlessy, tightening the atmosphere with small gestures but still certainly. The story, which began as a description of a dying relationship ends as something completely different. WHERE IT ALL BEGINS is again one indication of Simukka's masterful skills.

-Kirjojen keskellä blog

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Rights sold:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)

About author

Salla Simukka

Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 53 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013. Simukka has been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award  every year 2021–2024. Where It All Begins, published in 2022, is her first novel for adults and in 2024 she started a collaboration with JP Ahonen on a middle grade novel.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked as an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences.  She has also been working on the programme of Turku Book Fair in 2017–2020.

Bibliography


2024, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Salla Simukka

The Secret Staircase


2022, Literary Fiction

Salla Simukka

Where It All Begins


2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Salla Simukka

In the Dark I Can Be Yours


2020, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Salla Simukka

Detained


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Salla Simukka

Turn off the Lights! Turn on the Lights!


2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Salla Simukka

Sisterland


2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Salla Simukka

As Black as Ebony


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Salla Simukka

As Red as Blood


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Salla Simukka

As White as Snow


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Salla Simukka

Elsewhere


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Salla Simukka

Without a Trace