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The Kalevala: Tales of Magic and Adventure
The national Finnish epic, The Kalevala, is one of the most important works of Finnish literature. It was originally compiled by Elias Lonnröt in the 19th century from ancient oral poetry. Since then, it has been translated into over 45 languages. This English translation captures the magic and beauty for children and adults alike. Beginning with the world's creation, it follows the stories of Väinämöinen, a shamanistic hero of song and story; his young rival, Joukahainen; and the handsome but arrogant Lemminkäinen. Their quests for love, revenge, truth, and the mysterious Sampo, the ultimate source of prosperity, have thrilled and inspired generations of readers. This vibrant translation, with shimmering illustrations by Pirkko-liisa Surojegin, is sure to attract even more fans.
214 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 6, 2023
I've heard bits and pieces of these stories my whole life. It was fun to read something more comprehensive. It was also interesting to note that no woman in these stories wanted to marry. One even drowned herself to avoid it. Hmmm.
July 20, 2024
Kalevala, finski nacionalni ep, u ovoj verziji je prepričan u prozi, sa delovima prepeva epa dodatim ponegde. Prepev je, kao i original, u osmercu i, bar u ovoj srpskoj verziji, prilično jednostavan i jasan za čitanje, i ne bih rekao da spada u poeziju koja se mora prepričavati da bi bila jasna. Moguće da je na finskom teže čitati, pa otud potreba za ovom knjigom.
Neke od priča su mi vrlo zaličile na Tolkina, a posebno glavni lik epa, stari bradonja koji šeta šumom, peva i baca čini, vrlo liči na Toma Bombadila. Posle sam pročitao da je Kalevala bila značajan uticaj na Tolkina, tako da zapravo Tom Bombadil liči na Vainamoinena, a ne obrnuto.
Ovo je možda do same Kalevale, a možda i do prepričavanja, ali mnogo su mi čudni heroji, i nedovoljno "herojski" - uvek se biju samo sa slabijima, a beže od jačih. Prosto rečeno, Banović Strahinja ne bi nikad. U svim ljubavnim pričama, devojke ne žele da se udaju za junake već da žive s majkama zauvek, što bude čudno dok ne vidimo kako je brak opisan. Još jednom, ne bi se desilo Strahinjiću Banu.
Šalu na stranu, ne mogu se mitologije porediti, ali poenta je da je ova bila dosta više drugačija od naše nego što bih očekivao - ipak većina meni poznatih narodnih epova ima slične vrednosti i tok, a Kalevala baš i ne liči ni na jedan koji ja znam.
Neke od priča su mi vrlo zaličile na Tolkina, a posebno glavni lik epa, stari bradonja koji šeta šumom, peva i baca čini, vrlo liči na Toma Bombadila. Posle sam pročitao da je Kalevala bila značajan uticaj na Tolkina, tako da zapravo Tom Bombadil liči na Vainamoinena, a ne obrnuto.
Ovo je možda do same Kalevale, a možda i do prepričavanja, ali mnogo su mi čudni heroji, i nedovoljno "herojski" - uvek se biju samo sa slabijima, a beže od jačih. Prosto rečeno, Banović Strahinja ne bi nikad. U svim ljubavnim pričama, devojke ne žele da se udaju za junake već da žive s majkama zauvek, što bude čudno dok ne vidimo kako je brak opisan. Još jednom, ne bi se desilo Strahinjiću Banu.
Šalu na stranu, ne mogu se mitologije porediti, ali poenta je da je ova bila dosta više drugačija od naše nego što bih očekivao - ipak većina meni poznatih narodnih epova ima slične vrednosti i tok, a Kalevala baš i ne liči ni na jedan koji ja znam.
December 31, 2022
I have been looking for a prose translation of the Kalevala since it figures in the music of both Jean Sibelius and the great Finnish metal band, Amorphis. This book is beautifully illustrated, and is printed on a nice heavy stock(but not the glossy kind that picks up fingerprint smears). Very nicely done and a welcome addition to my library.
September 12, 2021
This book was a gift to me from my wife who is from Finland. As a native Finn, she grew up with these tales that are a significant part of her Finnish identity. Thus, it was important to me that I read it to understand more of where my wife comes from.
The Kalevala is an assemblage of myths, stories, and legends from Finland that "played a crucial role in encouraging pride in Finnish culture and language" (7), especially after these had been suppressed during Swedish rule in the 1300s and Russian rule in 1809 until Finland declared their independence in 1917. Until Finland declared their independence, it was illegal for them to speak their own language and even give their children Finnish names. Thus, the Finnish language and culture was seemingly lost until 1835 when the Kalevala was first published by Finnish doctor, linguist, and poet Elias Lönnrot. With beautiful illustrations to suit the reading, "An Illustrated Kalevala" here continues that long Finnish tradition of retaining their language, culture, and folklore without which it would've been lost. We have the fortune of it being translated into English for our own edification.
As an American reading this folklore, the tales are, of course, strange and of pagan origin. Yet the purpose is not to view it as a mythology that Finns believe are true (because they don't), but rather to learn and appreciate significant parts of the Finnish culture, such as the beautiful wooden kantele instrument and Finns' love for lingonberries, elk, and reindeer. What is most interesting as a pastor reading this book of mythologies is the final chapter that tells a story that should sound familiar to Christians. A virgin woman named Marjatta (very close to "Mary") gets pregnant after swallowing a lingonberry (strange, I know). She is rejected by her family and society because they thought she got pregnant before marriage, similar to Mary's own story in the Gospel narratives.
Despite all this misfortune, "some instinct told her that her child would be miraculous and become greater than even the ancient sage Väinämöinen" (149), who is a significant hero figure in the Kalevala mythology. This is similar to the Christ child who would also be miraculous in His many miracles and who would become greater than the ancient prophet, Moses, just as Moses himself prophesied. Nobody believed Marjatta got pregnant by a lingonberry just as Joseph, at first, didn't believe Mary got pregnant by the Holy Spirit (just as I'm sure none of her other Jewish friends and relatives believed either).
Marjatta called her son Flower while others called him Son of Sorrow, similar to the mockeries of Jesus. Marjatta's son was an outcast, just as Jesus became an outcast for us and even dined and socialised with outcasts. Yet the story ends with the child revealing his miraculous nature with his own wisdom, just as Jesus did when He was only a child. And suddenly everyone saw him to perhaps grow up to be a mighty hero and ruler and he was crowned King of Kalevala, just as Jesus became our mighty hero and ruler on the cross and in His resurrection, who is King of the Jews and indeed all of creation.
Thus, the Kalevala leaves the reader yearning for Christ. It is an amazing thing that even in ancient Finnish culture, they longed for a Child King, and that child was Jesus. I wonder if the Finnish people saw this themselves, as the country has long been Lutheran since Reformation days. As it tells enchanting and magical stories of beauty, joy, sin, and suffering, the Kalevala is a reminder of what every culture seeks without knowing whom they're seeking, and that is Christ Jesus the King.
The Kalevala is an assemblage of myths, stories, and legends from Finland that "played a crucial role in encouraging pride in Finnish culture and language" (7), especially after these had been suppressed during Swedish rule in the 1300s and Russian rule in 1809 until Finland declared their independence in 1917. Until Finland declared their independence, it was illegal for them to speak their own language and even give their children Finnish names. Thus, the Finnish language and culture was seemingly lost until 1835 when the Kalevala was first published by Finnish doctor, linguist, and poet Elias Lönnrot. With beautiful illustrations to suit the reading, "An Illustrated Kalevala" here continues that long Finnish tradition of retaining their language, culture, and folklore without which it would've been lost. We have the fortune of it being translated into English for our own edification.
As an American reading this folklore, the tales are, of course, strange and of pagan origin. Yet the purpose is not to view it as a mythology that Finns believe are true (because they don't), but rather to learn and appreciate significant parts of the Finnish culture, such as the beautiful wooden kantele instrument and Finns' love for lingonberries, elk, and reindeer. What is most interesting as a pastor reading this book of mythologies is the final chapter that tells a story that should sound familiar to Christians. A virgin woman named Marjatta (very close to "Mary") gets pregnant after swallowing a lingonberry (strange, I know). She is rejected by her family and society because they thought she got pregnant before marriage, similar to Mary's own story in the Gospel narratives.
Despite all this misfortune, "some instinct told her that her child would be miraculous and become greater than even the ancient sage Väinämöinen" (149), who is a significant hero figure in the Kalevala mythology. This is similar to the Christ child who would also be miraculous in His many miracles and who would become greater than the ancient prophet, Moses, just as Moses himself prophesied. Nobody believed Marjatta got pregnant by a lingonberry just as Joseph, at first, didn't believe Mary got pregnant by the Holy Spirit (just as I'm sure none of her other Jewish friends and relatives believed either).
Marjatta called her son Flower while others called him Son of Sorrow, similar to the mockeries of Jesus. Marjatta's son was an outcast, just as Jesus became an outcast for us and even dined and socialised with outcasts. Yet the story ends with the child revealing his miraculous nature with his own wisdom, just as Jesus did when He was only a child. And suddenly everyone saw him to perhaps grow up to be a mighty hero and ruler and he was crowned King of Kalevala, just as Jesus became our mighty hero and ruler on the cross and in His resurrection, who is King of the Jews and indeed all of creation.
Thus, the Kalevala leaves the reader yearning for Christ. It is an amazing thing that even in ancient Finnish culture, they longed for a Child King, and that child was Jesus. I wonder if the Finnish people saw this themselves, as the country has long been Lutheran since Reformation days. As it tells enchanting and magical stories of beauty, joy, sin, and suffering, the Kalevala is a reminder of what every culture seeks without knowing whom they're seeking, and that is Christ Jesus the King.
March 15, 2023
The Kalevala has been on my bucket list for some time. I'd heard Tolkien was fond of this saga and it influenced his tales of Middle Earth (and I'm kind of a LOTR nerd). After attempting to read a paper copy, I ended up downloading the audio version. As The Kalevala was originally told orally, I think this was the right approach for me... to listen to it, rather than read it. The flow of the words and the imagery are beautiful and poetic.
Though I have deep respect for this ancient and culturally significant Finnish saga, it was difficult for me - a modern listener - to suspend judgement (I listened to the whole thing over period of weeks while doing yard work and walking, so a disclaimer: I probably missed some things when a plane flew overheard or a loud car rumbled by). For what it's worth, here is my "not academic," and basically judgy impression of The Kalevala. It is a series of stories about men (demigods?) acting impulsively and / or behaving badly while women clean up their messes and mourn the wreckage. The same can likely be said of a lot of world mythology, I guess. There are also voluminous instructions for how brides should behave once they move into their new husband's home (and the treatment they should expect to receive there... in essence, buckle up, young lady, life will be grim from now) followed by a slighter, less harsh follow-up on how a bridegroom should treat their new wife (be nice... although they always seem to get a pass when they aren't). The last tale involved a very Christian-like virgin birth tale involving a young woman who eats a berry and becomes pregnant. She is mistreated, called names and ends up giving birth to a baby boy alone in stable w/ the horse's breath to keep them warm (but there is no Joseph figure to make her respectable). This baby boy goes on to become a great king. Also tucked in here and there, I gleaned nature origin myths and maybe instructions for making barley beer?
Also, I grew fond of a phrase used repeatedly throughout the saga used, I presume, to prepare the listener to pay attention to what a character is going to say: "He said with a word. He spoke thus..." There are some variations of this phrase, but it sticks in my head and I like the rhythm of it. Maybe I need to start using it in every day life before I say something important. "I said with a word. I spoke thus... please take out the garbage, my offspring."
Though I have deep respect for this ancient and culturally significant Finnish saga, it was difficult for me - a modern listener - to suspend judgement (I listened to the whole thing over period of weeks while doing yard work and walking, so a disclaimer: I probably missed some things when a plane flew overheard or a loud car rumbled by). For what it's worth, here is my "not academic," and basically judgy impression of The Kalevala. It is a series of stories about men (demigods?) acting impulsively and / or behaving badly while women clean up their messes and mourn the wreckage. The same can likely be said of a lot of world mythology, I guess. There are also voluminous instructions for how brides should behave once they move into their new husband's home (and the treatment they should expect to receive there... in essence, buckle up, young lady, life will be grim from now) followed by a slighter, less harsh follow-up on how a bridegroom should treat their new wife (be nice... although they always seem to get a pass when they aren't). The last tale involved a very Christian-like virgin birth tale involving a young woman who eats a berry and becomes pregnant. She is mistreated, called names and ends up giving birth to a baby boy alone in stable w/ the horse's breath to keep them warm (but there is no Joseph figure to make her respectable). This baby boy goes on to become a great king. Also tucked in here and there, I gleaned nature origin myths and maybe instructions for making barley beer?
Also, I grew fond of a phrase used repeatedly throughout the saga used, I presume, to prepare the listener to pay attention to what a character is going to say: "He said with a word. He spoke thus..." There are some variations of this phrase, but it sticks in my head and I like the rhythm of it. Maybe I need to start using it in every day life before I say something important. "I said with a word. I spoke thus... please take out the garbage, my offspring."
May 1, 2023
I've been reading a lot of mythologies of different cultures over the last couple years, and this is one of my favorites (probably along with the Mabinogion, the Book of Yokai, and the tales of Finn MacCumhaill). One thing I liked about this one is that the stories and characters tied together over the course of the book (so many mythologies are just collections of unrelated tales). The illustrations are great too! If you need an intro to Finnish mythology, I think this is a great place to start. :)
June 3, 2023
The Kalevala is a collection of Finland’s mythology from pagan times. It helped Finland and Finnish people gain a national identity that would ultimately lead to their independence. Why would I read this? I’m not Finnish or of Finnish descent, and I’ve not (yet) been to Finland. I read the Kalevala because it inspired J.R.R. Tolkien and his creation of Middle Earth.
This was a pretty good read. It’s definitely similar to Nordic and other mythologies but I had never read anything from Finland before, so I enjoyed it enough. I did however feel the stories were not as fleshed out (maybe due to the translation?) as they should have been. I think now after some research this book contains only part of the stories in the Kalevala, which is okay as I probably wouldn’t want to read more of them.
The best story in the book was that of Kullervo, who I believe Tolkien himself published a translation of. This edition has many nice illustrations by a well-known Finnish children’s illustrator, which helps people like me who aren’t familiar with Finland.
All in all, glad I have this for my Tolkien/Middle Earth collection.
This was a pretty good read. It’s definitely similar to Nordic and other mythologies but I had never read anything from Finland before, so I enjoyed it enough. I did however feel the stories were not as fleshed out (maybe due to the translation?) as they should have been. I think now after some research this book contains only part of the stories in the Kalevala, which is okay as I probably wouldn’t want to read more of them.
The best story in the book was that of Kullervo, who I believe Tolkien himself published a translation of. This edition has many nice illustrations by a well-known Finnish children’s illustrator, which helps people like me who aren’t familiar with Finland.
All in all, glad I have this for my Tolkien/Middle Earth collection.
February 9, 2025
Estuvo chevere, como para leerte una vez. Es genial aprender más de la cultura de Finlandia a través de estos cuentos.
February 15, 2022
I have always wanted to read these tales, but found them rather daunting. This book tells them in a way that is easy to understand and enjoy. I had no idea they were so violent. The illustrations are beautiful. I will cherish this book.
July 23, 2015
the illustrations were the main reason to read this version, but I think it needed more of them.
May 25, 2021
Epic!
English: https://elifthereader.com/books/the-k...
Türkçe: https://kitaplikkedisi.com/kitaplar/k...
English: https://elifthereader.com/books/the-k...
Türkçe: https://kitaplikkedisi.com/kitaplar/k...
April 23, 2025
Elias Lonnrot invented the Finnish national epic in the 19c, gathering and embellishing the folklore. I have heard that he Christianized the tales (think of Beowulf) and that at least seven other versions of the word-hoard could have been crafted. But he diminished the shamanism and increased the familiar for his audience, no doubt, part of the rise of ethnic pride among many influenced by Romanticism.
Problem is (look at Lonnrot in the recent Penguin Classic), his trochaic verse gallumphs rather than gallops. I found it unreadable in English. I had started Keith Bosley's recent Oxford UP alternative and it scans smoothly (he also reads it on audio for Naxos). But lacking my copy, if wanting a briefer clip, this 2020 illustrated for younger readers, most probably, fills the need for a brisk take of these stories.
I wish, as others on Goodreads also mentioned, that there were even more colors, and many more of the ink-dominant images. What's herein satisfies the basic support for the narrative full of its magic sword, battles of vengeful warriors, an eagle and a bear, flowery fields, maidens, elders, and marriage. Yet so much escapes the comparatively spare--true to its Nordic terse style, perhaps--and stoic tone.
I'd have wanted every margin filled with details. What's on offer pleases. But it left me craving more.
It's well-known how Tolkien at an impressionable age fell for the undeniably enchanting appearance of the Finnish tongue, all those vowels and umlauts. I share his admiration (same with circumflexed Welsh). Thus, a glossary helps with pronunciation (not as daunting as it first seems) and terminology.
Still, given the paucity of literature from Suomi not Moomins, neither "Scandinavian"- nor Baltic-adjacent mysteries (I'm in the minority in wishing deeper genres proliferated for us non-Finno-Ugric speakers), and apart from feminist fantasy or post-modernist alienation from the sub-Arctic lands, it's encouraging to find any title attractively designed which freshens once-told legends for us today.
Problem is (look at Lonnrot in the recent Penguin Classic), his trochaic verse gallumphs rather than gallops. I found it unreadable in English. I had started Keith Bosley's recent Oxford UP alternative and it scans smoothly (he also reads it on audio for Naxos). But lacking my copy, if wanting a briefer clip, this 2020 illustrated for younger readers, most probably, fills the need for a brisk take of these stories.
I wish, as others on Goodreads also mentioned, that there were even more colors, and many more of the ink-dominant images. What's herein satisfies the basic support for the narrative full of its magic sword, battles of vengeful warriors, an eagle and a bear, flowery fields, maidens, elders, and marriage. Yet so much escapes the comparatively spare--true to its Nordic terse style, perhaps--and stoic tone.
I'd have wanted every margin filled with details. What's on offer pleases. But it left me craving more.
It's well-known how Tolkien at an impressionable age fell for the undeniably enchanting appearance of the Finnish tongue, all those vowels and umlauts. I share his admiration (same with circumflexed Welsh). Thus, a glossary helps with pronunciation (not as daunting as it first seems) and terminology.
Still, given the paucity of literature from Suomi not Moomins, neither "Scandinavian"- nor Baltic-adjacent mysteries (I'm in the minority in wishing deeper genres proliferated for us non-Finno-Ugric speakers), and apart from feminist fantasy or post-modernist alienation from the sub-Arctic lands, it's encouraging to find any title attractively designed which freshens once-told legends for us today.
June 14, 2018
This particular take on the Kalevala is so beautifully illustrated, I probably should be rating it 5 stars on that basis alone. The illustrator Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin has created something magical. In addition, the way that Kirsti Mäkinen has worked with the text is brilliant. She renders the tales in prose summarizing the story line, but also offers selected passages in the Kalevala's traditional and distinctive poetic form, using eight beats and four trochees.
As someone of Finnish heritage I have always known of the Kalevala, but I have never read it. This book is a great introduction. The heroes and villains are sometimes puzzling and I sometimes struggled to understand their behavior. A fairy tale with obvious moral lessons this is not. I now feel prepared to look at less abridged versions and my curiosity has been piqued.
The only reason I didn't give a full five stars is that I'm not sure this book is for everyone. For anyone wanting to enter in to learning about the Kalevala I recommend it without reservation.
As someone of Finnish heritage I have always known of the Kalevala, but I have never read it. This book is a great introduction. The heroes and villains are sometimes puzzling and I sometimes struggled to understand their behavior. A fairy tale with obvious moral lessons this is not. I now feel prepared to look at less abridged versions and my curiosity has been piqued.
The only reason I didn't give a full five stars is that I'm not sure this book is for everyone. For anyone wanting to enter in to learning about the Kalevala I recommend it without reservation.
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April 15, 2024I'm not rating this one because I'm having difficulty separating my disappointment in it not being what I was looking for from what it was trying to be. It's likely a good introduction - the prose is readable enough, and the illustrations are lovely. However, I was looking for something along the lines of David Ferry's Gilgamesh that could introduce me to the epics as epics, ideally with context and interpretation (every time the Creator came up, it felt like an awkward Christian God insert that had been added later but I'm not sure if that's true), and this is not that.
December 30, 2019
Tavalliseen kerrontamuotoon kirjoitettu Kalevala. Kalevala on selkeä lukea ja sitä ei ole sensuroitu kuten monia muita nuorille tarkoitettuja klassikkoja kirjoja (esim. Seitsemän veljestä).
Kuvitus on hienoa, mutta jää lopulta melko vähäiseksi.
Suositeltava teos luettavaksi myös aikuisille, jos runomitta vierastuttaa, mutta on Kalevalasta kiinnostunut.
Kuvitus on hienoa, mutta jää lopulta melko vähäiseksi.
Suositeltava teos luettavaksi myös aikuisille, jos runomitta vierastuttaa, mutta on Kalevalasta kiinnostunut.
February 13, 2024
A beautiful ilustrated version of the Finnish Mythology story The Kalevala. Its in storyforn and not songs or Runos. The most important storyline is there but not everything is inclided but you get the meaning very easy. Very recomendable if you want to know what the Kalevala is about but dont want to read it in its original prose.
January 20, 2024
Very different and interesting myths and legends of Finland, retold by Kirsti Makinen and illustrated by Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin. The Theft of the Sampo, Marjatta and the King of Kalevala were the most interesting stories at the very end of the collection.
January 17, 2025
Selkokielisesti Kalevala kerrottuna. Neil Gaiman saisi tästä varmaan vielä viihdyttävämmän version kirjoitettua lisäilemällä vähän juttuja, luomalla yhteyksiä enemmän ja taustoittamalla maailmaa ja jumalien suhteita.
February 27, 2022
I enjoyed reading a mythology I'm not very familiar with. This edition had amazing illustrations as well, which added to the experience.
January 13, 2023
An excellent version of The Kalevala and stunningly illustrated. I originally got this from the library and I will certainly purchase this for my own shelves one day.
March 9, 2023
I really like folktales and mythology so I read this, the fluidity was great! The way it was written just wasn’t my favorite, but I would recommend reading this if myths interest you!
April 24, 2023
Beautiful illustrations. The text doesn’t make much sense unless you already know the stories
June 16, 2023
I love how 85-90% of the time, the adaptors keep it totally appropriate for children, but then they get to stories like Kullervo, and give up, like "We tried....."
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May 31, 2024Jätän arvioimatta tämän, mutta en lukisi lapsille. Aino hukuttaa itsensä, koska hänen veljensä pakottaa hänet naimisiin miehen kanssa, joka oli Ainoa huomattavasti vanhempi. Ehkä tällaisia kohtia olisi voitu editoida hieman tai jättäää pois.
August 21, 2021
As this book markets itself as an illustrated version of the Kalevala I feel it's only fair to begin by saying something about the illustrations: They look really good, though I wish it had stuck to either having all colour or black and white.
Anyways, Kalevala is something I've long known about but never had the opportunity to read and along comes this book: A re-telling of the Kalevala in a more narrative than poetic form. While I'd wish to see the poetic version next to the text explaining what happened, I think this book does a decent job making sure the story fits into a narrative context, even if some purpose is lost, though you could say that based on it being a translation as well.
The narrative and characters do feel weak compared to a lot of modern texts, but that's just a side effect of coming from an old story. What I think could have been done to make this a more interesting book is to have comments about the story at the end of each chapter about different interpretations and symbolism, which would've turned this into a much more useful book.
That being said, this is a good introduction to the basis of the story in the Kalevala. Not groundbreaking, but fun.
Anyways, Kalevala is something I've long known about but never had the opportunity to read and along comes this book: A re-telling of the Kalevala in a more narrative than poetic form. While I'd wish to see the poetic version next to the text explaining what happened, I think this book does a decent job making sure the story fits into a narrative context, even if some purpose is lost, though you could say that based on it being a translation as well.
The narrative and characters do feel weak compared to a lot of modern texts, but that's just a side effect of coming from an old story. What I think could have been done to make this a more interesting book is to have comments about the story at the end of each chapter about different interpretations and symbolism, which would've turned this into a much more useful book.
That being said, this is a good introduction to the basis of the story in the Kalevala. Not groundbreaking, but fun.
October 6, 2013
The Kalevala is so exciting. What I liked about this translation was that even though it was in prose (to make it easier to understand) there were inclusions of selections of poetry translations. I loved the artwork. It was a very well put together book. It's one of those books I wouldn't mind owning. I'm going to look up other books put out by this publishing company, because I like the level of quality in this product. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in mythology or folklore. It's a thick book but reads fairly quickly, so don't let the heft of it turn you away from a great read.
October 31, 2010
This may be most appealing to those with Finnish ancestry or to lovers of epics and folklore, but I could see Tolkein fans and others getting involved here, too. The text and illustrations are meant for teens, but adults won't be put off. The book mixes verses and prose versions of the verses together. The prose perhaps makes it more readable, but the snippets of poetry invite the reader to examine the full poetic text. I am certainly interested in doing so. Very well done.
January 2, 2015
I read this retelling alongside the original, in the John Martin Crawford translation. It helped solidify and explain the more repetitive and discursive poetry of the original in my mind, although I felt it embroidered on the original. Presented with lovely typography, and illustrations which are mostly beautiful (if weak on humans), the translation was reasonable but not excellent. Still a lovely book to have on my shelf, telling the legends in an engaging manner.
January 10, 2021
I got this book from the library because my children really enjoy mythology. Then we realized that the Kalevala is the source for a story from a favorite Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode, "The Day the Earth Froze." It was interesting to see the source material for that, even though it is just loosely based.
My kids thought it was a good story, as did I. It was not my favorite mythological story, but I enjoyed the tale.
My kids thought it was a good story, as did I. It was not my favorite mythological story, but I enjoyed the tale.
February 2, 2016
I read the English version of this edition. There were times that the prose seemed odd, but I can't tell if that's due to the translation from poetry to prose or the translation from Finnish to English. Still, the stories overall are great in the way that many mythic stories are great (aka they're totally bananas), and the illustrations are pretty sweet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews