Jeff VanderMeer on Finnish SFF

Finnish Science Fiction and Fantasy: Johanna Sinisalo, Hannu Rajaniemi, and Moomins

As to the relationship of science fiction and fantasy to other kinds of fiction in Finland, Sinisalo told me that "Some years ago it seemed that in Finland a book still had to be realistic to be considered as "real" literature. But for some time there have been books with touches of magical realism, horror-laced stories and even some new weird style books on bestseller lists and getting important awards. The Finnish SF/F scene is very active and very fresh, as it has been for decades." This was certainly our impression as we traveled around Finland—there was a real sense of excitement and of energy."

Finnish SF and Fantasy: An Established Community, a Surge of Talent

Indeed, novelist and short story writer Anne Leinonen believes "Finnish science fiction and fantasy is living its golden age. In this millennia, the number of writers has significantly risen, as well as general respect toward the genre…Copying Anglo-American ideas or styles [isn't as common], with the use of local and national elements becoming a natural part of storytelling. The borders have blurred, bringing new methods, ways, forms of expression to our literature."

Finnish Weird–and Finnish SF/F Links Round-Up

A number of links to blog posts, interviews, and features about Finnish SFF, followed by a final interview question. I liked this excerpt from the interview:

"The only typifying factor I can think of would be how many Finnish speculative fiction writers seem to be quite unafraid of stepping outside the comfort zone of traditional storytelling methods – even in the context of the Weird – and try to do something fresh and unusual."