In this snow-covered, apocalyptic Finnish novella, Aki Ollikainen questions what it takes to survive in a world so apparently desolate. Translated by Emily Jeremiah and Fleur Jeremiah.

1867, Finland. A year of devastating famine in the country. Marja, a farmer’s wife from the north, sets off on foot through the snow with her two young children. Their goal: St Petersburg, where people say there is bread. Others are also heading south, just as desperate to survive. Ruuni, a boy she meets, seems trustworthy. But can anyone really help?

Longlisted
The Man Booker International Prize 2016
Published by
Peirene Press
Publication date
Aki Ollikainen

Aki Ollikainen

About the Author

Writer and photographer Aki Ollikainen was born in 1973 in Finland.
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Emily Jeremiah

Emily Jeremiah

About the Translator

Emily Jeremiah and Fleur Jeremiah form a multilingual mother-and-daughter translation team.
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Fleur Jeremiah

Fleur Jeremiah

About the Translator

Fleur Jeremiah and Emily Jeremiah form a multilingual mother-and-daughter translation team.
More about Fleur Jeremiah