Dream Book

by K.A. Laity

These tales offer a distinctive take on the myths and legends of Finland, the land of my ancestors. It resonates more each time I visit. In the stories giants sleep, women change shape and music often proves the key to magic. The stories take place in the distant past or the urban present, but all weave together ancient lore in new ways. There’s even a play that brings to life the experiences of immigrant far from the land that still haunts their dreams. Let your dreams soar.

Genres: Fantasy, Collections, Short Stories

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Professional dilettante, arcane artist, all-purpose writer, Fulbrighter, uberskiver, medievalist, Sister in Crime, History Witch at Pagan Square, Pirate Pub Captain ☠ currently anchored in Dundee, Scotland · http://www.kalaity.com

Works include WHITE RABBIT, EXTRICATE, the HARD-BOILED WITCH series, A CUT-THROAT BUSINESS, LUSH SITUATION, OWL STRETCHING, CHASTITY FLAME, UNQUIET DREAMS, ROOK CHANT, PELZMANTEL, DREAM BOOK, CON-EIRE as well as editor of MY WANDERING UTERUS, DRAG NOIR, WEIRD NOIR and NOIR CARNIVAL. Writer of a wide variety of stories, essays, plays, and humour pieces. Also writes as Kit Marlowe (historical romance) & Graham Wynd (noir). Music as Victoria Squid & Higora,

Reviews

[Suzanne Thackston · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely, unusual, unexpected book. I'm not familiar with the Kalevala so these stories, inspired by Finnish mythology, are all new to me. Now I want to learn more.

[Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful, unexpected collection. I opened it knowing very little about Finnish mythology and folklore, and read the final pages eager to devour the Kalevala . (I may have fallen down a wiki-rabbit hole and discovered Kizhi Pogost along the way. Holy wooden architecture, Karelia!) Laity shares her love of the old country and its old tales in the shape of fiction, poetry, even a play. Though each piece "focuses on women's experience of the world — an aspect so often missing from the original [...] stories," their varied formats and time frames keep that thematic consistency from feeling heavy-handed. Reverent, musical, and characterized by an unflinching, sometimes unpleasant, physicality. Recommended for storytellers and rapt audiences.

[Linda Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discovered Laity and this book on a trip through the twitter wormhole. I bought it online - and lucky me - I think it's signed by the author. My matriarchal ancestors are Finnish, and like many assimilated Americans, I know some little bit about that heritage. Lately I've begun to appreciate the richness of the storytelling. Laity's book creates a way into the heart of the folklore and oral history of Finland and Karelian cultures. Witches, living mountains, magical unidentified amulets and tokens, giant pikes of the otherworld, swans that escort you to the afterlife. Epic challenges for the hand of a doomed bride. Cuckoos, ravens, wolves, and saunas. Shamanic drumming (Saami drums were an obsession of mine for some time.) For readers who have only poked at their history, this is a grand entry into discovering more about your own ancestry. There's long tradition behind the order of who goes to Friday night sauna first. History is rich and fascinating, but your own is even more luscious. Laity plays the kantele, a musical and folkloric instrument in Finnish folk song storytelling. Väinämöinen (the Great Sage) created the first kantele, perhaps from the jawbone of a pike, hair of a maiden, etc. The instrument is story and storytelling; a part of the call/response of rune singing. Magic, transformative; as all folklore shared. Imagine a campfire in the mountains, you are well fed and warm, happy in the firelight of good company, and the story begins "Once upon a time long ago..." Laity retells some of the tales, and presents new interpretations with the women of the lore forefront. Louhi (think Wicked Witch of the North) is given a richer role, as are the young women of the legends. I'm delighted to have discovered Laity's writing. Kiitos!

[Michelle Hannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Unikirja,” is a book of beautifully written short stories and one short play. They are K.A. Laity's take on ancient Finnish folklore and are full of fanciful, supernatural, and magical characters and events. Each work is preceded by a short explanation of how she came up with the idea for the story and what it’s based on. “Unikirja” is a window into a unique culture and history that I knew very little about. Her work on this book won her the 2005 Eureka Short Story Fellowship at the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow, and I can see why. It was an edifying, charming, entertaining read.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous collection of stories that go from feminist retellings of Finnish myth to contemporary noir set in Finland. Good stuff!

[Selina Lock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection inspired by, or retelling Finnish myths.