Coccinella
Coccinella is a linguistical spot-on masterpiece, a psychological game about an unexpected natural catastrophe, bitter memories and jealousy between sisters.
A thick cloud of ladybugs colours the sky as red as blood. The insects flood the streets and people’s homes; the natural catastrophe violently halts the whole country, forcing the startled citizens to take cover in bomb shelters.
Against the background of this mysterious event opens up a psychological game between two sisters: the older one a dreamer, unable to connect with others; the younger one level-headed, brisk and decisive. In these exceptional circumstances, surface the bitter memories of their childhood where the world is small but people still far apart, and of the all-encompassing jealousy between the girls.
And what is the role of a nameless employee, far away in Siberia, who builds the ladybugs and paints them with a seventh spot?
Marianna Kurtto is a poet and a true master of language. Her work can be characterized as ‘Finnish Weird’ alongside Leena Krohn and Johanna Sinisalo, both considered pioneers of the subgenre. The work ticks both boxes as its Finnish and peculiar, and places Kurtto in the thriving community of writers with unique voices.
info
Year of publication
2021
Original title
Seitsemäs piste
Page count
283
Original publisher
WSOY
Original language of publication
Finnish
Reviews
Arla Kanerva, Helsingin Sanomat newspaper
“Marianna Kurtto is currently spending her three-year residence at Eeva Joenpello's writers' home in Sammatti. A lot of great prose has been created in that house: Katja Kettu’s Kätilö and Aki Ollikainen's Black Fairy Tale, among others. Kurtto's Coccinella is a beautiful continuation for these novels, and with her second novel, Kurtto takes her place at the top of Finnish contemporary literature.”
Arla Kanerva, Helsingin Sanomat newspaper
“Marianna Kurtto’s language is a world of its own… In Coccinella, Kurtto reaches clear views of interpersonal relations and one’s attitude to oneself and the world with her language.”
Mari Viertola, Turun Sanomat
”Marianna Kurtto’s novel charms with its narrative…It’s astonishing how strong characters Kurtto can craft from two anonymous sisters…Coccinella begins as an ordinary story with a narrative that transforms it into something unique.”
Gloria Magazine
"Her way of writing is magical. ..the language is masterly alluring and you need to pause to admire some of the sentences. Read this if you are a fan of Leena Krohn’s or Johanna Sinisalo’s works."
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Quote
"Ladybug wings strike eighty-five times a second. Do you think such a machine is easy to build?"