The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot
"The Kalevala" is an epic poem that compiles Finnish and Karelian folklore into a cohesive narrative. It is centered around the hero Väinämöinen, a shamanistic figure with magical powers, and his adventures with other characters such as the blacksmith Ilmarinen and the reckless Lemminkäinen. The book covers a wide range of themes, from creation myths and heroic quests to romance and revenge, providing a rich tapestry of ancient Finnish culture and mythology.
The 3669th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1835
- Nationality
- Finnish
- Type
- Fiction
- Pages
- 500-700
- Words
- 220,000
- Original Language
- Finnish
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This book is on the following lists:
- The Bigger Read List (English PEN)