14 Knots to Greenwich

By Olli Jalonen

A distinguished, Finnish modern classic novel about a journey around the globe that changes the life of four people irrevocably After years of silence, Petri receives an email from Graham, an old university friend, inviting him to participate in an unusual challenge: to travel around the world along the Prime Meridian, in honour of the 350th birthday of astronomer Edmond Halley, using the same modes of transportation that Halley himself would have used in his day. Graham’s wife Isla comes along on their haphazard journey, and later they’re joined by Petri’s younger brother, Kari. As sight of their destination grows ever dimmer, unexpected aspects of their personalities begin to surface. Meanwhile, the chemistry between Kari and Isla grows ever stronger.

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About the author

Olli Jalonen (b. 1954) is one of Finland’s most respected authors. Since 1978, he has written over 15 works of fiction, some non-fiction and a children’s fantasy novel. Jalonen has received several important literary prizes, including the Finlandia Prize, and he has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize three times. Jalonen has lived in Finland, Sweden and Ireland, working as a reporter, information officer and researcher. His extensive oeuvre also includes radio plays and scripts for screen and stage.“Jalonen is a master at building open places into a text. His stories breathe, and each page contains an expectation, of good or evil.”– Kouvolan Sanomat