This autumn has been life-changing for author Petra Rautiainen: her debut novel LAND OF SNOW AND ASHES was the first Finnish debut novel that sold English translation rights prior publication. And now just after four months from release translation rights have been sold into 10 languages.
Published in August 2020 the novel set in the barren beautiful Lapland landscape that brings to light the untold dark secrets of Finland’s wartime history and the assimilation of the Sámi has become a must-read for several established publishers worldwide. Pushkin Press acquired the English translation rights before the novel was published in Finland and is set to publish it as one of its leading titles in 2022 in both the UK and Australia.
So far, in addition to the UK and Australia, the novel will reach readers in Holland, Italy, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Sweden, France and the Czech Republic. The vast group of publishers include Meridiaan Uitgevers, Marsilio Editori, Suhrkamp, Gyldendal Norsk, Modtryk, Europakiadó, Norstedts and Seuil. This week the novel reached its 10th deal welcoming Czech publisher Paseka on-board.
Almost half of the confirmed publishing deals including also Rautiainen’s second novel, that she is currently writing.
According to Petra Rautiainen’s literary agent, Leenastiina Kakko:
“Land of Snow and Ashes has it all. Including an intense thriller plot, the portrayal of the exotic Arctic landscape and the universal burning topic of the discrimination of minorities speak to a large international audience.”
The web of competing nationalistic and ethnic motivations is depicted for the first time in Finnish literature in Land of Snow and Ashes, something that is also highlighted by several editors:
”The story set in Lapland shows us how the Sámi people are viewed in the eyes of others, and how this view changes over the course of time.”
– Anne Louise Morseth-Nordbryhn, Gyldendal Norsk
“And above all, she writes about a burning topic of today’s society: Dealing with the history of suppression, making amends to marginalized minorities and facing the whole truth of the past.”
– Franziska Berninger, Suhrkamp
Praised for the vivid and strong poetic description of the Arctic nature in Lapland the novel gives readers a chance to envision themselves in the middle of the barren beautiful northern landscape:
”Moreover, the landscape and nature descriptions are so vivid and strong, that you feel like everything you’re reading about is happening right now in your room.”
– Francesca Varotto, Marsilio Editori
“The author’s language is fresh, sparkling, but as chilling as early morning in the far north.”
– Jakub Sedláček, Paseka
The author herself is overwhelmed and delighted for the positive feedback:
”It feels unbelievable that my book will be translated into so many languages. I’m proud that the topic and themes in the book have received such broad international interest. It’s essential not only for sake of Finland’s history but for an international aspect that these issues are addressed.”
The novel has successfully reached readers in Finland as it reached number 5 on the bestselling list for August not long after its official publication day. At the moment the book is on its fourth print run.
Press praises include several major newspapers and established literary publications. Petra Rautiainen has also been featured in various interviews, most recently in the Sámi online newspaper Loostâš in which she shares her how she ended up writing about the difficult and heavy themes in her novel and how the story has been received by Sámi representatives.
Land of Snow and Ashes has also received three literary prize nominations including the prestigious Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize, the Book of the Year prize by Finnish bookstore Suomalainen Kirjakauppa and the Savonia Prize. The winner of the Savonia prize will be announced later this week.