by K.A. Laity’s Unikirja: Dream Book
I want to take a short break from the subject of our recent trip to tell you about a special book that I’m very excited to learn is now published and available: Unikirja: Dream Book. Author Kate A. Laity has Finnish roots, owns several kanteles which she plays too and has a blog Wombat’s World.
Here’s a most intriguing description of Unikirja:
The schemes of witches and sages and giants. Doomed marriages and supernatural bargains. The magic of music, of the sauna, of family. A fish who’s a girl, a girl who’s a wolf. The creation of the world. Author K. A. Laity weaves timeless magic in UNIKIRJA. Tales from the KALEVALA and KANTELETAR, the ancient myths and folktales of Finland, receive new life and meaning in these imaginative retellings. Mixing the realistic with the fantastic, the mythic with the modern, the dream-tales of UNIKIRJA reinterpret the beauty of the original, time-honored Finnish stories for contemporary readers.
Some readers may remember my post about Kate’s amazing trip to Finland’s rock art site in Astuvansalmi. The wonderful image on the cover of Unikirja looks like it may be from there!
To assist readers unfamiliar with Finnish myths and folklore, Kate has written a bit of a background about the The Kalevala and The Kanteletar as well as a couple of tastes or excerpts: Vipunen and Palakainen.
Naturally this book is of special interest for me so I shall be ordering it right away! Congratulations, Kate!
May 31, 2009 in Books, Finland, Estonia & Finno-Ugric, Folk Legends & Myths by Marja-Leena
Marja-Leena, I want to thank you so much for posting this! You are too kind. Yes, the photo is from Astuvansalmi. I will have bookplates ready when I get back from my travels in July (I take off today) and I will send one to you specially signed.
Kate
Sounds fascinating. In a previous life I too would have jumped to acquire this book. I used to collect folk tales, and would read them avidly. They are such a great way in to understanding a people.
Nowadays I’m afraid that I do not have the space and time in my mind to travel deep into other lands. Thank you for the information, however.
Kate, it’s my pleasure! I love our Finnish connection and common interest in our roots and ancient art. Thanks in advance for the signed bookplate – wow!
Olga, I used to read fairy and folk tales right into my teen years, then to my children when young. It seems that my interest revived in the past ten years alongside a renewed and deeper interest in my Finnish roots and in other ancient cultures. Finding the time to read it all though is a challenge for me too!
This sounds like the perfect summer read for me. I plan on going to the local bookseller tomorrow after work. My closest friend in all the world is a folklorist and has rekindled my love of legend and folktales. I would very much like to learn more about the Kalevala.
Rouchswalwe, I’m so glad this interests you! We’ll have to compare notes for I just ordered my copy today. I still have to keep reading my copy of the Kalevala as well.
Are there different editions/translations of the Kalevala? Do you have any recommendations for me since I’d have to read it in English …
Good morning, R! I did a bit of research a few years ago to help decide what version to buy and settled on a translation by Eino Friberg, available here. I’m very pleased with it and it has lovely illustrations, though I wish it had the Finnish pages next to the English translations. The Finnish sounds marvelous when read out loud. My ancient Finnish copy is a shortened version I got in my youth. You can also read about the Kalevala online at the Finnish Literature Society site, including short synopses of each chapter. They used to have the whole epic translation there but no more. Kate has linked to the Project Gutenberg site for one, there might be others. I favour a book myself!
Kiitos, Marja-Leena. I must admit that I’m also partial to books.