Language/Finnish/Culture/Finnish-Contemporary-Literature

Finnish Culture → Finnish Literature and Film → Finnish Contemporary Literature

As a Finn, I have always been proud of our country's rich literary heritage. Finnish literature encompasses a wide range of themes and genres, from epic poetry to contemporary novels. In this lesson, we will focus on modern Finnish literature and its prominent authors.

Finnish Contemporary Literature

Finnish contemporary literature reflects the changing times and the country's social, political, and cultural transformations. Here are some of the notable literary works and their authors:

Kari Hotakainen

Kari Hotakainen is a Helsinki-based journalist, novelist, and playwright. He rose to fame with his novel "Juoksuhaudantie" ("The Trench Road"), which won the Finlandia Prize in 2002, one of the most prestigious literary awards in Finland. The book revolves around a single street in Helsinki and its various inhabitants, offering a rich and vivid portrayal of life in the city.

Sofi Oksanen

Sofi Oksanen is a Finnish-Estonian writer and playwright, known for her works on the Soviet and post-Soviet era. Her novel "Puhdistus" ("Purge") received critical acclaim and won several awards both in Finland and internationally. The book tells the story of two women - one from Estonia, the other from Finland - whose lives are intertwined by their traumatic experiences during the Soviet occupation and the subsequent independence.

Rosa Liksom

Rosa Liksom is a Finnish artist, writer, and filmmaker, whose works challenge the traditional boundaries of literature and art. Her novel "Hytti nro 6" ("Compartment Number 6") won the Finlandia Prize in 2011, and the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2020. The book is a fictional account of two strangers - a Finnish woman and a Russian man - who share a train compartment on their way to Murmansk in the 1980s.

Tommi Kinnunen

Tommi Kinnunen is a Finnish author, whose debut novel "Neljäntienristeys" ("Where Four Roads Meet") was a bestseller and won the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize in 2014. The book tells the story of three generations of a family in a rural village in North Finland, spanning from the 1920s to the present day. It deals with themes such as sexuality, identity, and mental health, with a tender and nuanced portrayal of the characters' inner lives.

Leena Krohn

Leena Krohn is a Finnish author, who has published over 40 books in various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and children's literature. Her work often explores the boundaries between reality and fantasy, the human and the non-human, and the individual and society. Her novel "Tainaron: postia toisesta kaupungista" ("Tainaron: Mail from Another City") is a surreal and haunting account of a woman's journey to a strange and magical city, inhabited by insect-like creatures.

Antti Tuomainen

Antti Tuomainen is a Finnish author, who has gained a reputation for his black comedy and satirical humor. His novel "Palm Beach Finland" offers a hilarious and absurd take on the crime thriller genre, set in a fictional beach resort in Finland. The book has been translated into over 25 languages and has won several awards.

Pajtim Statovci

Pajtim Statovci is a Finnish-Kosovan author, who explores the themes of identity, migration, and sexuality in his works. His debut novel "Kissani Jugoslavia" ("My Cat Yugoslavia") won the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize in 2014, and the book was later translated into several languages. The story follows a young gay man's journey from war-torn Kosovo to Finland, where he tries to find a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Other Notable Works

Other notable works and authors in the contemporary Finnish literary scene include:

• "Maa" by Juhani Peltonen, a novel about a man who becomes lost in the wilderness of Lapland.
• "Romaanihenkilö" by Juha Seppälä, a novel about an aging writer who reflects on his past and his relationships.
• "Järjestäjä" by Tuomas Kyrö, a novel about a man who organizes a family reunion and discovers some surprising secrets.
• "Loviisa, Niskavuoren nuori emäntä" by Hella Wuolijoki, a classic Finnish play about a young woman's struggles in a male-dominated society.

Overall, Finnish contemporary literature offers a fascinating and diverse perspective on contemporary society, culture, and human experience.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have explored some of the prominent works and authors in modern Finnish literature. From Kari Hotakainen's Helsinki to Leena Krohn's fantastical cities, Finnish literature offers a unique and insightful glimpse into the Finnish psyche and culture.

Sources:

• Kari Hotakainen
• Sofi Oksanen
• Rosa Liksom
• Tommi Kinnunen
• Leena Krohn
• Antti Tuomainen
• Pajtim Statovci

Table of Contents - Finnish Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Finnish

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

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Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Nouns and Adjectives

• Noun Cases
• Adjective Agreement

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Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Telling Time

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Leisure

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Questions and Negation

• Forming Questions
• Negation

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Food and Dining

• Food Vocabulary
• Dining Out

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Prepositions and Postpositions

• Prepositions
• Postpositions

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

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Finnish Culture and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Finnish Sauna

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Weather and Seasons

• Weather Vocabulary
• Seasons

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Conjunctions and Subordinate Clauses

• Conjunctions
• Subordinate Clauses

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Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

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Finnish Literature and Music

• Finnish Literature
• Finnish Music

Sources

• 13 contemporary Finnish authors you should be reading ...
• An Introduction to Finnish Literature by Lola Rogers - Words Without ...
• Finnish contemporary literature: A wealth of voices - thisisFINLAND

Related Lessons

• Finnish Mythology and Legends
• Finnish Holidays and Festivals
• Finnish Society and Values
• Finland Timeline
• Finnish Film Industry
• Finnish Sauna
• Finnish Music and Arts
• Finnish Folk Music and Dance
• Finnish Cuisine
• Finnish Classic Literature