What do you think?
Rate this book
Swift Press The End of Drum-Time Sweeping Sami Epic Guardian.
Shortlisted for the National Book Award
A story of forbidden love and fugitive faith in the nineteenth century Arctic Circle
'Transports readers deep into an unfamiliar world, yet with familiar conflicts and desires. I was absorbed and changed. Absolutely beautiful' Tracy Chevalier, bestselling author of Girl With a Pearl Earring
In 1851, at a remote village in the Scandinavian tundra, a Lutheran minister known as Mad Lasse tries in vain to convert the native Sámi reindeer herders to his faith. But when one of the most respected herders has a dramatic awakening and dedicates his life to the church, his impetuous son, Ivvár, is left to guard their diminishing herd alone. By chance, he meets Mad Lasse's daughter Willa, and their blossoming infatuation grows into something that ultimately crosses bordersâ of cultures, of beliefs, and of political dividesâ as Willa follows the herders on their arduous annual migration north to the sea.
Gorgeously written and sweeping in scope, Hanna Pylväinen's The End of Drum-Time immerses readers in a world lit by the northern lights, steeped in age-old rituals, and guided by passions that transcend place and time.
A story of forbidden love and fugitive faith in the nineteenth century Arctic Circle
'Transports readers deep into an unfamiliar world, yet with familiar conflicts and desires. I was absorbed and changed. Absolutely beautiful' Tracy Chevalier, bestselling author of Girl With a Pearl Earring
In 1851, at a remote village in the Scandinavian tundra, a Lutheran minister known as Mad Lasse tries in vain to convert the native Sámi reindeer herders to his faith. But when one of the most respected herders has a dramatic awakening and dedicates his life to the church, his impetuous son, Ivvár, is left to guard their diminishing herd alone. By chance, he meets Mad Lasse's daughter Willa, and their blossoming infatuation grows into something that ultimately crosses bordersâ of cultures, of beliefs, and of political dividesâ as Willa follows the herders on their arduous annual migration north to the sea.
Gorgeously written and sweeping in scope, Hanna Pylväinen's The End of Drum-Time immerses readers in a world lit by the northern lights, steeped in age-old rituals, and guided by passions that transcend place and time.
368 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 31, 2025
The End of Drum Time just didn’t really work for me. I understand that it tries to show the daily life of the Sámi people, which is interesting, but I never felt truly connected to the characters or the story. In fact, the characters all felt slightly off.
The writing style didn’t pull me in, and I often found myself losing focus or putting the book down. It took me quite a while to finish. I can see why some readers might enjoy it, but for me, it just didn’t click.
The writing style didn’t pull me in, and I often found myself losing focus or putting the book down. It took me quite a while to finish. I can see why some readers might enjoy it, but for me, it just didn’t click.
Displaying 1 of 1 review