The Winter War

by Philip Teir, Tiina Nunnally (Translation)

On the surface, the Paul family are living the liberal, middle-class Scandinavian dream. Max Paul is a renowned sociologist and his wife Katriina has a well-paid job in the public sector. They live in an airy apartment in the centre of Helsinki. But look closer and the cracks start to show.


As he approaches his sixtieth birthday, the certainties of Max's life begin to dissolve. He hasn't produced any work of note for decades. His wife no longer loves him. His grown-up daughters — one in London, one in Helsinki — have problems of their own. So when a former student turned journalist shows up and offers him a seductive lifeline, Max starts down a dangerous path from which he may never find a way back.


Funny, sharp, and brilliantly truthful, Teir's debut has the feel of a big, contemporary, humane American novel, but with a distinctly Scandinavian edge.

Genres: Fiction, Literature, Contemporary, Finnish Literature, Scandinavian Literature, Ebooks, International

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Philip Teir (s. 1980 Pietarsaaressa) on Hufvudstadsbladetin kulttuuritoimituksen päällikkö, joka kirjoittaa itse mm. kirjallisuus-, musiikki- ja televisiokritiikkiä. Hän on toimittanut useita kirjallisuusantologioita ja kirjoittaa myös ruotsalaiseen sanomalehti Expresseniin.

Teirin esikoisteos, runokokoelma Någonting ur hennes mun faller i min mun, ilmestyi 2007. Novellikokoelmassa Donner-ryhmä yhdistyvät urbaani arki ja absurdit sävyt.

Reviews

[Emma Monfries · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this novel! Very clever, very funny, very insightful. It is ultimately a story about marriage and the small, selfish and confused attitudes that either make people stay in unhappy situations or destroy everything they took for granted in a quest for 'something better'. Max is the standout character - spoilt, immature, selfish in the extreme and convinced that he deserves more than he has, which is a lot. The characters are connected by marriage and family, but are so disconnected and isolated by their expectations of each other and of life in general. A very middle class dissatisfaction with privileged lives makes each character compelling and flawed, but often very likeable. The setting is shaped by the Finnish and English seasons, which in turn shape the mood and atmosphere of the plot, taking the reader on a journey in which they feel very much a part of the action. The writer's style is fantastic - he never tells the reader too much, never overstates, which has the curious effect of allowing them to alternately empathise with as well as intensely dislike the characters. I would highly recommend this book, it is really great.

[Suketus]

Positiivinen yllätys. Olin valmistautunut ihan keskinkertaiseen ja kelpoon romaaniin, mutta tämähän oli terävä ja hyvin aito. Oman ajan kuvaaminen ei yleensä kai ole helppoa, mutta Talvisota kertoo kyllä juuri meistä 2010-luvun ihmisistä.

[Eva-L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dysfunktionella familjer ftw.

[Heleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik kom uit op tussen de drie en vier sterren, maar rond naar beneden af. De roman is onderhoudend en soms heel grappig, maar mist ergens ook een samenballend spanningsmoment… het einde is daarom in mijn ogen een beetje flauw, alsof hij er een draai aan heeft moeten geven om tot afronding te komen. Als lezer heb je dan biet dat moment van omkeer/afkeer/inkeer…..(?) beleefd die de echte voldoening geeft.

[Anne Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Winter War* follows a liberal, middle-class professional Scandinavian couple and their two adult daughters over the course of one winter. While this is a period of change for the family, the pleasure of this novel is less in its plot than in its beautifully drawn characters* and searing sardonic wit*.
Max Paul is a Finland-Swede*, a sociologist approaching sixty, living off his reputation as a public intellectual, given an ego-boost when a former student turned journalist requests an interview:
One important criteria for all research was that it had to be possible to explain the basic ideas in a simple manner. A good doctoral dissertation could be comprehensively summarised over lunch. Taking this to extremes: a good researcher should, in principle, be able to speak with such enthusiasm that his words could function as a series of pick-up lines.

Full review on my blog
http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/annecdo...
along with an author Q&A

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Täysin tavallinen, täysin tunnistettava, täysin onnistunut avioliittoromaani, ihmissuhderomaani, aikalaisromaani, ihmisyysromaani. Osui samaan hermoon kuin Pulkkisen ja Itkosen kaltaiset suosikkini. Erityisen hyvä suomennos (Jaana Nikula)!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gedegen, niet ontzettend sprankelend verhaal tegen de achtergrond van winters Helsinki. De enige persoon die echt wordt uitgediept is Max zelf, de anderen blijven bijfiguren, ondanks de eigen hoofdstukken. De ''mozaiekopbouw'' kan goed werken, maar had beter uitgewerkt kunnen worden. Met uitzondering van Eva's verhaal voelden de hoofdstukken waarin één van de andere gezinsleden centraal stonden, nu te veel als ingeslagen zijpaden die niet weer uitkwamen op de hoofdweg.

[Marije · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘In hun familie werd veel gepraat, of liever onafgebroken gezwamd, en het was niet meer dan natuurlijk dat ook de eventuele scheiding van haar ouders zo nu en dan onderwerp van gesprek was. Ze zag al voor zich hoe ze zich over een paar weken weer aan elkaar vast zouden klampen, zoals altijd, omdat ze uiteindelijk niet anders konden dan samen ongelukkig zijn.’

[Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nicely told tale about everyday happiness and unhappiness, centred on a couple in their late fifties and their two adult daughters.

[Marika Oksa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Osuva kuvaus yhden avioliiton päättymisestä ja mutkikkaista perhesuhteista. Kirjan särmikäs huumori osui ja upposi vaihtelevasti.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Varför ville jag läsa denna bok? Det lät ju lite intressant detdär med äktenskapsroman, men på basis av recensioner jag läst var den högst halvbra. Men det är nåt med finlandssvenska böcker och att man vet att man kommer att känna igen sig. Där belv jag inte besviken. Trevlig Helsingforsskildring och ankdamskänsla, många miljöer som kunde vara mina. Som tal om förintelseresor som görs vid det ena och andra huvudtstadsgymnasiet.

Unik är boken inte heller. En del känns igen från andra romaner jag läst. Som nu den inte så orginella varianten av professor har förhållande med student. Det skrev Virpi Hämeen-Anttila mycket bättre om i Suden vuosi (Vargens år). Och sen var det en annan bok med liknande handling skriven av en professor vid Helsingfors universitet som jag inte ens orkade läsa ut. Ja, jag gillar väl helt enkelt inte sånt, särskilt inte när det blir bara platt som i Teirs fall.

Inte för att boken handlar endast om sociologprofessor Max Pauls affär med en ex-student. Problemet är väl just att boken drar åt så många håll och inget fördjupas. Det är fyra historier: Max, hans frus, hans gifta lärardotters och has ogifta konstnärsdotters.

Det största problemet är ändå att ingen av karaktärerna är speciellt likeable. Det skulle vara småbarnsmamman Helen då, hon är rätt trevlig, ganska sympatisk. Men ingen av karaktärerna fördjupas tillräckligt.

Och slutet sen. En av trådarna får ett plötsligt överlyckligt slut, medan de andra lämnas öppna. Detta är definitivt inte en bok som håller för öppna slut, så det hela är bara irriterande. Och den första meningen som ska vara så bra, den är ju bara en finess, för det framkommer ju aldrig vilka följder nedfrysningen av hamstern hade.

Borde kanske ge sämre betyg, men boken var faktikst inte tråkig, så det är ändå något.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title "Winter War" is misleading, it's a family drama set in modern day Helsinki, Finland.

The characters are connected by marriage and family bonds, but are still very disconnected and isolated by their expectations of each other and of life in general. This middle class dissatisfaction with their privileged lives makes this book a bit dull...

There were some fun parts in this book like having sex in a small car with Radio Vega on in the background (only people from Ostrobothnia will understand this) and sharp observations of our current time we're the most romantic act is a meticulously planned "spontaneous" flash-mob performed on a wedding.

However, after recently read Nina Wähä's "Testamente" a quite similar novel about a family's tragedy, this story seems a bit flat and colorless. The language is cynical. I also recognize a lot of places from Ostrobothnia and Helsinki, two places I've previously lived in. Philip Teir is actually from my hometown Jakobstad so there are of course a lot of things we have in common. The Finnish-Swedish sphere is not very large in the end.

If you want to read something similar about an elderly couple's unhappy marriage and their adult children, but with more emotional depths, I would recommend Jonathan Franzen's - The Corrections.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of The Winter War through First Reads and really enjoyed it. It follows the story of the Paul family. Max Paul, the main character is going through something of a late mid life crisis who meets a former student of his. You also learn of his daughters, one of whom is having a tough time in London. Well written and the translation is perfect. If it didn't say I wouldn't have even known which is not the case with some works I've read where often you feel like something was lost in translation. Overall very good and would look out for other works by this author.

[Johanna Ilen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tykkäsin! Talvisota kertoo yhden perheen tarinan moninäkökulmaisesti, kaupunkilaisesti ja täyteläisesti. Vain Maxin mummon Ebban näkökulma jää puuttumaan ja se olisi hieman kiinnostanut. Kerrankin tykkäsin ennen kaikkea sisällöstä, mutta ei tekstissäkään mitään vikaa ollut (luin suomennoksen).

[Janet Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and looked forward to reading it nightly. Some books are a chore but this was a good read. Bit depressing and also I'm still not sure about the Swedish/Finnish thing. I must google that lot!

[Joke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Onderhoudend

[Lana Velkov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring book about a spoilt wealthy family in Finland, disappointing.

[Laurel Deloria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am mixed about this one. The inter-family war is a fall-back to the famous Russo-Finnish war of 1939-40 when Finland almost beat the Russians. (Read about it -it is a classic battle ).
Of course it is winter, and the family struggles are familiar, Bored husbands, wives tired of being ignored ( Katriina here wants only a new kitchen and another drink), Daughters either married and unhappy or not married and in a mess with a married man. The struggles are presented in a way to keep your interest (maybe) but I was expecting more. It was awful for me because he was supposed to be Finland new great author. I also read a while back Finland's first female novelist and actually it was bad. See below- THe crime writing is good - See Helsnki Blood and rest of James Thompson" Inspector Vaara, series.

Sunday TImes " a sharply observed novel... Shot through with understated black humor and nicely balancedbetween tender and ascerbic, this impresive first novel is a forceful reminder that there is muchmore to Scandanavian writing than crime fiction."

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein kurzweilig erzählter Roman, der eine Familie rund um einen Soziologieprofessor in seiner späten Mid-Life-Crisis während eines harten finnischen Winters begleitet, in dem alle Familienmitglieder mit ihren Lebens- und Liebesumständen konfrontiert werden. Es geht ums Älterwerden, um die eingerostete Dynamik einer alten Ehe, um die verführerische Idee eines Seitensprungs, um die bleierne Unzufriedenheit, die man trotz Erfolg im Job erleben kann, um die rebellische Überforderung, als erwachsene Tochter Ende zwanzig immer noch sich selbst zu suchen, um die matte Erschöpfung junger Eltern, die sich auch als Individuen und als Paar wiederfinden müssen, um die Endlichkeit des Lebens und die Bedeutung der Familie, um den Lauf des Lebens, alles eingepackt in die Geschehnisse weniger Wintermonate, in denen die Beteiligten mit sich und miteinander um eine neue Ordnung der Dinge ringen.

[Andrea Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es geht um Familie Paul, die in Finnland lebt und eine eher dysfunktionale Familie ist. Um Max und Katriina (Mitte 50 Jahre alt), die 30 Jahre zusammen waren/ sind und wirklich nicht mit aber auch nicht ohne einander auskommen. Und um ihre Töchter Eva und Helen (beide Ende 20/ Anfabg 30). Beide in unterschiedlichen Situationen. Helen mit zwei Kindern und Ehemann. Eva gerade am Kunst studieren und sich finden.
Es geht um viel zwischenmenschliches und wirklich schon fast alltäglich wirkende Probleme, die im Leben so kommen können.
An sich kann man das Buch gut zwischen drin lesen, aber vom Inhalt hat es mir eher wenig gegeben - also im Sinne von, dass es mir länger im Gedächtnis bleiben wird.
Also all in all alright.

[meri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kun kirjan takakansi lupaa sen olevan "viiltävän hauska", voi olla varma että se ei sitä ole. Jos kirjailija on mies, viiltävä hauskuus melko varmasti sisältää avioliittokriisin jossa välikappaleena on toinen nainen, kuten tässäkin kirjassa. Talvisota etenee, kuvailu on miellyttävää luettavaa ja hahmoihin pääsee hieman sisälle. Kuten usein käy, tässäkin epilogi lässäyttää tunnelman ja jättää edelleen avoimia kysymyksiä. En pidä avoimista lopuista.

Ja miksi hamstereista keuhkottiin takakannessa niin dramaattisesti ja mystisesti, kun lopulta koko pakastamisepisodi ja se kun Helen löysi hamsterin, sivuutettiin täysin?

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book I downloaded by mistake (thinking it was a historic book on the Winter War between Finland and Russia), it was actually a quick read. Some characters are better described than others, but his whole section on Helen, the married daughter with two children, sticks out like a sore thumb. However, it is a good novel on the description of the passing of time and the fear of ageing within a relationship that feels, despite everything, claustrophobic. Some excerpts do resonate, and the evaluation of the London art scene and its characters made me laugh at times. Three stars. I think the translator did a good job - makes me want to go and visit Finland!

[Katarzyna Binder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am somewhere between two and three. I though it is going to be more interesting story but instead of learning about Max and Katriina and real issues behind their marriage there was much more about their two adult doughters which probably was supposed to give a full picture but to me failed and unnecessarily interrupted the history of Max and Katriina which had to me potential.

Nevertheless, I am happy I had a chance to read a story set up in Finland which I never visited and know little about.

[Virginia Rounding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very entertaining, & good to read a novel set in two places I know well - Helsinki & the City of London. Would have given more stars if there had been a bit less of 'telling' rather than 'showing' in the characterisation & if author could have had an editor or translator to pick up on factual slips. The interior of St Paul's Cathedral, for instance, is nothing like it is described here. Plus it ends rather suddenly & in a not very likely way, as if the author had got bored. But some very funny moments, particularly to do with hamsters.

[Ben Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
3 stars feels harsh but 4 feels too much.
Much of the things others have already said about the book not doing anything distinctly novel or original holds and would be a death knell for many a novel. Despite this I find many of the characters quite enjoyable to read about and I’m intrigued by the Finnish social commentary explored in the book. I’ve seen it criticised here that the characters are pretentious but that’s the point i would say as this is in many ways a satire of Nordic (and European in general) affluent middle class attitudes.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die kühle Erzählweise hat zu Personen und Handlung gepasst. Im Nachhinein war es erstaunlich, dass die Ehe von Max und Katrina so lange gehalten, denn die beiden sind nicht nur vom Charakter sehr unterschiedlich, sondern sie haben auch unterschiedliche Ansichten und Träume. Wenn sie mehr miteinander geredet hätten, wäre das sicherlich schon früher aufgefallen. Ob sie dann etwas geändert hätte, wage ich zu bezweifeln. Wirkliche Veränderer sind die vier Familienmitglieder nämlich nicht. Aber genau diese Eigenschaften machen sie so real, denn ich habe vieles in dem Roman wiedererkannt.

[Dave Capers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well rendered portrait of a dysfunctional family and a failing marriage. I thought Teir did a fine job of creating each member of the Paul family in a fully-formed fashion; none of them are simple archetypes or plot devices. It's hard to create a group of such flawed people and yet render them all sympathetic in some way and Teir does that. Sometimes families are incompatible because they're incompatible, not because any one of them is evil.

[Joe Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finnish take on modern life.

I enjoyed the book it gives English readers a look at life in Finland. Funily enough it's not much different from ours but I found the style very refreshing. The book alludes to "The Winter War" but it's more about the family. This is the second book I have read by Philip Teir the first is" The Summer House " another good read.

[Sanna-Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lukupiiriin luettu kirja, ja melko yllättävän paljon tästä pidin. Jokseenkin simppeli tarina ja sujuvaa luettava. Voisihan tästä sanoa myös, että aavistuksen suolatonta peruskauraa: tiivistää olisi paikoin voinut. Tämä on täsmäisku lukijoille, joita perhetarinat kiinnostavat.

Nykyään niin kovin erikoisuuden tavoittelua havittelevassa kotimaisuuden kirjallisuuden kentässä melko hyvää luettavaa.

[Isabella Salomonsson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ännu en författare ur min boktolva. En helt ok roman. Men det är något med dessa moderna skildringar av familjens förfall som gör mig uttråkad. Kände samma med Tessa Hadley. Det är som att människor är aktörer, med givna och något platta roller som lämnar mig oberörd. Det är ofta välskrivet och inget fel på kvaliteten. Men det blir mest bara... tomt.