Kalevala - by Elias Lonnrot (Paperback)

About the Book

Kalevala is the soaring epic poem of Finland's people, a work rich in magic and myth which tells the story of a nation through the ages from the dawn of creation. Sung by rural Finns since prehistoric times, and formally compiled by Elias Lèonnrot in the nineteenth century, it is a landmark of Finnish culture and played a vital role in galvanizing its national identity in the decades leading to independence. It has themes that reach beyond borders and search the heart of human existence.

Book Synopsis

The great epic poem of Northern Europe, born deep in the heart of ancient Karelian forests

Sharing its title with the poetic name for Finland--the land of heroes--Kalevala is the soaring epic poem of the Finnish people. Born of an ancient tradition of folklore and song, Kalevala is a work rich in magic, cosmic mystery and myth, presenting a story of a people through the ages, from the dawn of creation. Sung by rural Finns since prehistoric times, and formally compiled by Elias Lönnrot in the nineteenth century, it is a landmark of Finnish culture and it played a vital role in galvanizing Finland's national identity in the decades leading up to independence. And yet its tales of tragedy and triumph, adventure and ambition, hope, lust, death and birth, reach far beyond the region's borders, searching the heart of human existence.

Review Quotes

"A masterpiece." ― Spectator (London)

"One of the great mythic poems of Europe." ― New York Times

"The Kalevala is a fabulous narrative spiced with exotic images and much hilarity." -- Jennifer Cooke, Melbourne Sunday Herald

"The Penguin Classic edition shines a light not just on the Finnish epic but also on Friberg's extraordinary translational vision, which foregrounds the oral dimensions of the poem." -- Medium.com

"The republication of this translation, which has been out of print for decades, will hopefully shine a light not just on the Finnish epic but also on Friberg's extraordinary translational vision, which foregrounds the oral dimensions of the poem." -- Rebecca Ruth Gold, Poetry Magazine

About the Author

Elias Lot (1802-1884) was a Finnish physician, philologist, and collector of traditional Finnish oral poetry.

Eino Friberg (1901-995) was a Finnish-born American author, noted for his 1989 translation the Kalevala.