Release date is 2025-03-17

Juhani Kärkkäinen and Tapio Riikonen

"Kurjet" by Maila Talvio is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book explores themes of family, shame, and societal expectations through the lens of the Tuuna family, particularly focusing on the protagonist, Riikka Tuuna. As the narrative unfolds, we delve into the emotional turmoil and conflicts within the Tuuna household as they grapple with a sense of disgrace tied to their neighbor’s actions. The opening of "Kurjet" introduces Riikka Tuuna as she lays awake in her bed, enveloped in a profound sense of shame and unrest. The narrative paints a picture of a cold February night, where Riikka reflects on the changes in her life and the lives of her family members due to a recent scandal involving her brother and their neighbor’s wife, Sylvi. As she anxiously awaits her brother Toivo's return, the tension mounts, revealing her internal struggles, memories of her past, and anxieties about the present situation. The atmosphere is charged with a mix of nostalgia and foreboding, hinting at the conflicts that will unravel in the relationships governed by family loyalty and societal judgment. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Porvoo: WSOY, 1919