Zeno
The third verse novel ponders whether it is necessary to be a minority rights activist if you belong to a minority?
Nella, a high school student, lives in the small Finnish town of Joutseno where the easiest thing to do is to blend in. She loves nature and Joutseno has everything she desires. But when her boyfriend blurts at school that she’s bisexual, it seems to be too much for others. Nella just wants to be herself and live a normal life, not fight for minorities. But is that possible?
info
Year of publication
2024
Original title
Zeno
Page count
164
Original publisher
WSOY
Original language of publication
Finnish
Reviews
Ibby Finland
"Zeno is a new novel that breaks the boundaries of activism (...) Zeno encourages us to see shades of grey between black and white."
Joonas Riekkola, Keskisuomalainen newspaper
"Dess Terentjeva's novel bites into the attitudes of small communities."
Awards & Nominations
Nominations
Prisma Literature Prize – Nordic Work of the Year
2024
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