With joy we share the news that Olli Jalonen has just been awarded 2018 Finlandia Prize for his novel THE CELESTIAL SPHERE.
In this literary masterpiece Jalonen takes us on an adventurous voyage back in time where we witness the clash of religion and science through the eyes of the peasant boy Angus, whose life changes dramatically when he encounters Edmond Halley. On the horizon the first rays of the enlightenment arise…
“Finnish literature changes to world literature in the hands of Olli Jalonen.”
– Helsingin Sanomat
Angus is an eight-year-old peasant boy on St. Helena, with an eyesight as sharp as any sail needle. Tasked by his tutor, soon-to-be a famous scientist Edmond Halley, he meticulously marks out the constellations in the night sky.
Following a devastating act of violence, directed at his own family, Angus is stowed away on board a ship bound for London, a secret note sewn inside his shirt.
Who could have foretold the humble boy’s journey to become an astronomer’s apprentice and to play a role in the history of science?
Finlandia jury’s statement:
“Following the little boy Angus in the end of the 17th century, The Celestial Sphere carries the reader from the island of Saint Helena to London. The colonial Britain imposes actions that create violence on the island. The dangers Angus is facing give The Celestial Sphere a touch of an adventure novel, but the most important adventure in the book is the transition of Angus’s worldview.
In a truly fascinating way, the novel describes how Angus evolves into an independent and critical thinker: he learns to observe, to categorize his observations and to make the correct conclusions based on his observations. The joy of seeing, thinking and learning comes across in Angus’s vivacious and eloquent narration.”
Olli Jalonen is one of Finland’s most respected and awarded literary authors. Since 1978, he has written over 15 works of fiction. He’s now been awarded Finlandia Prize for the second time.
Original title: Taivaanpallo
Original publisher: Otava Publishing, Finland
Year of publication: 2018
Page count: 380
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you wish us to send you material and more information on THE CELESTIAL SPHERE: info@api.rightsandbrands.com . A sample translation and synopsis in English is available.
The German rights have been acquired.