02527cam a22003013u 4500 75749 UtSlPG 20260610134743.0 m cr n 260607r20251921utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG fi iso639-1 PH Talvio, Maila, 1871-1951 Kihlasormus Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2025 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2025-03-30 Juhani Kärkkäinen and Tapio Riikonen "Kihlasormus: Kertomus" by Maila Talvio is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around a Finnish family navigating the aftermath of war, familial loss, and shifting fortunes against the backdrop of a vivid, almost intoxicating spring. With themes of engagement, memory, and the delicacies of familial relationships, the book follows the Surpaeus family—particularly Heini, the newly-engaged cousin whose presence sparks joy and reflection, and Tekla, the matriarch struggling with grief and the uncertain future. The focus is on generational dynamics, personal resilience, and the symbolic weight of a cherished family heirloom: the engagement ring. The opening of "Kihlasormus: Kertomus" immerses the reader in the emotional landscape of the Surpaeus family at their country villa, Niemenkivi, during a memorable, early spring. Family members await the arrival of Heini, whose recent engagement and promised visit become the central event, stirring excitement and stirring up memories of happier times. The narrative gently weaves between the perspectives of Tekla, the widow finding solace and sorrow in small routines, and the lively children and relatives who orbit around Heini’s anticipated visit. Dialogue and description emphasize contrasts: between past and present, wealth and poverty, hope and lingering trauma from the recent civil conflict. The segment closes as the family gathers to celebrate Heini, with a sense of both anticipation and the weight of unresolved family tensions, setting the stage for questions about love, loyalty, and the impermanence of happiness. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Originally published: Porvoo: WSOY, 1921 Finnish fiction -- 20th century https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/75749 116474 116474