What do you think?
Rate this book
الظمأ.. للحب
رواية "غريب وفد على المزرعة" التي نسميها هنا "الظمأ.. للحب" هي أول روايات الكاتب الفنلندي الشهير ميكا والتاري.
178 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1937
7 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Mika Waltari
234 books722 followersMika Toimi Waltari was a Finnish historical novelist, best known for his magnum opus The Egyptian.
Waltari was born in Helsinki and lost his father, a Lutheran pastor, at the age of five. As a boy, he witnessed the Finnish Civil War in Helsinki. Later he enrolled in the University of Helsinki as a theology student, according to his mother's wishes, but soon abandoned theology in favour of philosophy, aesthetics and literature, graduating in 1929. While studying, he contributed to various magazines and wrote poetry and stories, getting his first book published in 1925. In 1927 he went to Paris where he wrote his first major novel Suuri illusioni ('The Grand Illusion'), a story of bohemian life. In terms of style, the novel is considered to be the Finnish equivalent to the works of the American writers of the Lost Generation. (In Waltari's historical novel The Adventurer, taking place in the 16th century, the hero is a Finn who goes to Paris during his twenties and lives there a rather bohemian life). Waltari also was, for a while, a member of the liberal literary movement Tulenkantajat, though his political and social views later turned conservative. He was married in 1931 and had a daughter, Satu, who also became a writer.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Waltari worked hectically as a journalist and critic, writing for a number of newspapers and magazines and travelling widely in Europe. He directed the magazine Suomen Kuvalehti. At the same time, he kept writing books in many genres, moving easily from one literary field to another. He had a very busy schedule and strict work ethic. It has been claimed that he also suffered from insomnia and depression, sometimes to the extent of needing hospital treatment. He participated, and often succeeded, in literary competitions to prove the quality of his work to critics. One of these competitions gave rise to one of his most popular characters, Inspector Palmu, a gruff detective of the Helsinki police department, who starred in three mystery novels, all of which were filmed (a fourth one was made without Waltari involved). Waltari also scripted the popular cartoon Kieku ja Kaiku and wrote Aiotko kirjailijaksi, a guidebook for aspiring writers that influenced many younger writers such as Kalle Päätalo.
During the Winter War (1939–1940) and the Continuation War (1941–1944), Waltari worked in the government information center, now also placing his literary skills at the service of political propaganda. 1945 saw the publication of Waltari's first and most successful historical novel, The Egyptian. Its theme of the corruption of humanist values in a materialist world seemed curiously topical in the aftermath of World War II, and the book became an international bestseller, serving as the basis of the 1954 Hollywood movie of the same name. Waltari wrote seven more historical novels, placed in various ancient cultures, among which The Dark Angel, set during the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 is probably the best. In these novels, he gave powerful expression to his fundamental pessimism and also, in two novels set in the Roman Empire, to his Christian conviction. After the war, he also wrote several novellas, showing particular mastery in this genre. He became a member of the Finnish Academy in 1957 and received an honorary doctorate at the University of Turku in 1970.
Waltari was one of the most prolific Finnish writers. He wrote at least 29 novels, 15 novellas, 6 collections of stories or fairy-tales, 6 collections of poetry and 26 plays, as well as screenplays, radioplays, non-fiction, translations, and hundreds of reviews and articles. He is also the internationally best-known Finnish writer, and his works have been translated into more than 40 languages.
Waltari was born in Helsinki and lost his father, a Lutheran pastor, at the age of five. As a boy, he witnessed the Finnish Civil War in Helsinki. Later he enrolled in the University of Helsinki as a theology student, according to his mother's wishes, but soon abandoned theology in favour of philosophy, aesthetics and literature, graduating in 1929. While studying, he contributed to various magazines and wrote poetry and stories, getting his first book published in 1925. In 1927 he went to Paris where he wrote his first major novel Suuri illusioni ('The Grand Illusion'), a story of bohemian life. In terms of style, the novel is considered to be the Finnish equivalent to the works of the American writers of the Lost Generation. (In Waltari's historical novel The Adventurer, taking place in the 16th century, the hero is a Finn who goes to Paris during his twenties and lives there a rather bohemian life). Waltari also was, for a while, a member of the liberal literary movement Tulenkantajat, though his political and social views later turned conservative. He was married in 1931 and had a daughter, Satu, who also became a writer.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Waltari worked hectically as a journalist and critic, writing for a number of newspapers and magazines and travelling widely in Europe. He directed the magazine Suomen Kuvalehti. At the same time, he kept writing books in many genres, moving easily from one literary field to another. He had a very busy schedule and strict work ethic. It has been claimed that he also suffered from insomnia and depression, sometimes to the extent of needing hospital treatment. He participated, and often succeeded, in literary competitions to prove the quality of his work to critics. One of these competitions gave rise to one of his most popular characters, Inspector Palmu, a gruff detective of the Helsinki police department, who starred in three mystery novels, all of which were filmed (a fourth one was made without Waltari involved). Waltari also scripted the popular cartoon Kieku ja Kaiku and wrote Aiotko kirjailijaksi, a guidebook for aspiring writers that influenced many younger writers such as Kalle Päätalo.
During the Winter War (1939–1940) and the Continuation War (1941–1944), Waltari worked in the government information center, now also placing his literary skills at the service of political propaganda. 1945 saw the publication of Waltari's first and most successful historical novel, The Egyptian. Its theme of the corruption of humanist values in a materialist world seemed curiously topical in the aftermath of World War II, and the book became an international bestseller, serving as the basis of the 1954 Hollywood movie of the same name. Waltari wrote seven more historical novels, placed in various ancient cultures, among which The Dark Angel, set during the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 is probably the best. In these novels, he gave powerful expression to his fundamental pessimism and also, in two novels set in the Roman Empire, to his Christian conviction. After the war, he also wrote several novellas, showing particular mastery in this genre. He became a member of the Finnish Academy in 1957 and received an honorary doctorate at the University of Turku in 1970.
Waltari was one of the most prolific Finnish writers. He wrote at least 29 novels, 15 novellas, 6 collections of stories or fairy-tales, 6 collections of poetry and 26 plays, as well as screenplays, radioplays, non-fiction, translations, and hundreds of reviews and articles. He is also the internationally best-known Finnish writer, and his works have been translated into more than 40 languages.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 26, 2018
גבר זר מגיע לחווה נידחת ומתחיל לעבוד כפועל חקלאי. בואו משנה אט אט את חייו ואת חיי שלושת הנפשות האחרות החיות במקום חיים נעדרי תקווה ורוויי מתחים. אין כאן עלילה נפתלת או משהו שלא סופר באינספור סיפורי אהבה טרגיים אחרים. מה שכן יש כאן היא כתיבה נהדרת של אומן מיומן. הכל מדויק, רב משמעות, חסכני ומלוטש ויחד עם זאת מצליח להביע ולהעביר לקורא תחושות נפשיות מורכבות. דיבורים כמעט שאין כאן. זהו אם תרצו ספר של שתיקות, של דברים הנאמרים בלא קול. ודווקא מתוך שימוש בסימבוליקה, בתיאורי טבע וגוף, מצליח המחבר להשמיע את כל מה שהשתיקות הקשות והמעיקות האלה אוצרות בתוכן.
הספר מבטא הלך רוח שהוא שמרני ורומנטי מחד גיסא – עם דגש על הניגוד שבין חיי העמל בחווה, הקרובים לאדמה ולטבע לעומת חיים עירוניים מודרניים ריקים מתוכן ומשחיתים מבחינה מוסרית – וחתרני מאידך גיסא – חתרני ביחס לנורמות הנוצריות בורגניות של פינלנד של תחילת המאה ה-20. כאן ישנה אולי חולשה מסוימת בציור שתי דמויות הנבלים שבסיפור. אשתו ההוללת של הפועל והבעל האלכוהוליסט המתעלל והמתדרדר של האישה הן קצת חד מימדיות, מעט רעות מידי. יש כאן אולי הנחה מסוימת שהסופר עושה לעצמו, אבל זכותו כסופר להדגיש פאן מסויים של הקיום, ומאחר והוא מפליא בתיאור מורכב של שלושת הדמויות האחרות אז ניתן לסלוח לו על כך. אפשר להתווכח עם האידיאלים שהסיפור מביע אך לא ניתן לבטל את איכות הכתיבה שהיא פשוט מסחררת.
זהו ספר איטי, המצריך, כמו שירה, קריאה מדודה על מנת לתת לדברים לחדור לתודעה ולהתגלות. אבל הוא מומלץ מאוד.
ראוי לציון תרגומו של רמי סערי שהוא פשוט מוקפד וברמה גבוהה מאוד וגם אחרית הדבר שהוא מצרף אינפורמטיבית וטובה.
הספר מבטא הלך רוח שהוא שמרני ורומנטי מחד גיסא – עם דגש על הניגוד שבין חיי העמל בחווה, הקרובים לאדמה ולטבע לעומת חיים עירוניים מודרניים ריקים מתוכן ומשחיתים מבחינה מוסרית – וחתרני מאידך גיסא – חתרני ביחס לנורמות הנוצריות בורגניות של פינלנד של תחילת המאה ה-20. כאן ישנה אולי חולשה מסוימת בציור שתי דמויות הנבלים שבסיפור. אשתו ההוללת של הפועל והבעל האלכוהוליסט המתעלל והמתדרדר של האישה הן קצת חד מימדיות, מעט רעות מידי. יש כאן אולי הנחה מסוימת שהסופר עושה לעצמו, אבל זכותו כסופר להדגיש פאן מסויים של הקיום, ומאחר והוא מפליא בתיאור מורכב של שלושת הדמויות האחרות אז ניתן לסלוח לו על כך. אפשר להתווכח עם האידיאלים שהסיפור מביע אך לא ניתן לבטל את איכות הכתיבה שהיא פשוט מסחררת.
זהו ספר איטי, המצריך, כמו שירה, קריאה מדודה על מנת לתת לדברים לחדור לתודעה ולהתגלות. אבל הוא מומלץ מאוד.
ראוי לציון תרגומו של רמי סערי שהוא פשוט מוקפד וברמה גבוהה מאוד וגם אחרית הדבר שהוא מצרף אינפורמטיבית וטובה.
Read
September 25, 2020Διαβάστε και την κριτική στα Ελληνικά στις βιβλιοαλχημείες.
I went in blind with this book.
The blurb is just a quote from the book, so I had no clue what to expect and I'm still wondering why the hell did the Greek translator choose a cryptic poetic title instead of the original.
"The Swamp" doesn't appear either as a setting or even a word in this book.
You're a translator, not a creator.
But despite that, I enjoyed this frigid, dark, and bleak story set in rural Finland in the early 20th century.
One reason I enjoyed this book, is the absence of many names.
Names is part of my UNHOLY TRINITY when it comes to reading books.
I'm on autopilot when the author begins describing:
1) Clothes
2) Facial characteristics
3) and lots and lots of names especially at the beginning of the story.
This book has just 4 characters, and one of them (the only woman) remains unnamed.
It's a bliss when I don't have to remember names and just lay back and enjoy the story.
I intended to read Waltari's magnum opus first: «Sinuhe: The Egyptian» but since I found this at a used bookstore which is set in the author's country, Finland I'm introduced to his writing with this shorter one.
This is also my 3rd book from Finland.
It reads like a Greek tragedy. Not a lot of characters, not many subplots, and with a tragic ending that resolves the story in some way.
It also reads like a short story, without subplots, and according to Wikipedia: focused on a self-contained incident and its outcomes.
The incident is the title, A Stranger Came To The Farm and the disruption he causes on the farm, the unloved wife, the alcoholic good-for-nothing husband, and the old labourer are all affected by the stranger, a man who wants to start a new life away from the city and his haunting past.
It is certainly a book and an author I recommend.
June 16, 2024
Am tot așteptat să se întâmple ceva cu adevărat în cartea asta, mi-am ciulit urechile ca să aud acel zgomot năucitor, pâlpâirea unui fulger care să miște ferestrele din loc, dar nu a fost să fie. Romanul lui Waltari este un roman surd în care expresia prinde viață puțin, ca un lan de grâu îngălbenit în mijlocul verii, apoi se năruie totul dintr-o dată, numai există sclipire, există doar o ceață ilicită...
Totul se petrece static, culorile amurgului se dezintegrează și apoi se lipesc la loc.
O aură filosofica se naște treptat din primele pagini ale romanului, dar apoi se pierde, se diluează ca un ceai uitat în ceașcă .
Prea multe imagini fotografice mi-au trecut prin minte încât ar trebui să le derulez cu încetinitorul.
Femeia și străinul este un roman de atmosferă, cu frânturi de dialog, cu reflecții naturaliste, m-a apropiat puțin de creație lui Emile Zola.
Prima parte a cărții e destinata regăsirii, libertății, jocului trinomic de personaje: femeia, soțul ei brutal și argatul născut parcă din vlaga neprețuita a zorilor...
În a doua parte, tablou liric, static și mut, se deformeaza, cade de pe perete, se sfarmă. Femeia este condamnata pentru crima, ca un Raskolnikov, își prinde cătușele și privește zările pentru ultima dată, zidurilor pușcăriei o vor schimba.
Totul se petrece static, culorile amurgului se dezintegrează și apoi se lipesc la loc.
O aură filosofica se naște treptat din primele pagini ale romanului, dar apoi se pierde, se diluează ca un ceai uitat în ceașcă .
Prea multe imagini fotografice mi-au trecut prin minte încât ar trebui să le derulez cu încetinitorul.
Femeia și străinul este un roman de atmosferă, cu frânturi de dialog, cu reflecții naturaliste, m-a apropiat puțin de creație lui Emile Zola.
Prima parte a cărții e destinata regăsirii, libertății, jocului trinomic de personaje: femeia, soțul ei brutal și argatul născut parcă din vlaga neprețuita a zorilor...
În a doua parte, tablou liric, static și mut, se deformeaza, cade de pe perete, se sfarmă. Femeia este condamnata pentru crima, ca un Raskolnikov, își prinde cătușele și privește zările pentru ultima dată, zidurilor pușcăriei o vor schimba.
August 4, 2024
5-/5
Kameralna, oszczędna, intymna i poruszająca opowieść, rozpisana na zaledwie czworo bohaterów. Ale jak to jest napisane! Choć od pewnego momentu wiadomo, jak zakończy się historia Aaltonena i gospodarzy farmy, to precyzja języka - jakie tam są miejscami zdania - uważność, z jaką Waltari opisuje surową fińską przyrodę i wiarygodnie zarysowane psychologiczne rysy gospodyni farmy, jej chorego męża i - w mniejszym stopniu - samego Aaltonena sprawiają, że smakowałem każdy akapit. Piękna i beznadziejnie smutna historia o niemożliwości szczęścia i ułudzie sprawiedliwości.
Kameralna, oszczędna, intymna i poruszająca opowieść, rozpisana na zaledwie czworo bohaterów. Ale jak to jest napisane! Choć od pewnego momentu wiadomo, jak zakończy się historia Aaltonena i gospodarzy farmy, to precyzja języka - jakie tam są miejscami zdania - uważność, z jaką Waltari opisuje surową fińską przyrodę i wiarygodnie zarysowane psychologiczne rysy gospodyni farmy, jej chorego męża i - w mniejszym stopniu - samego Aaltonena sprawiają, że smakowałem każdy akapit. Piękna i beznadziejnie smutna historia o niemożliwości szczęścia i ułudzie sprawiedliwości.
December 3, 2018
3.5 stars
When I started reading A Stranger Came to the Farm I had this feeling of elation – it was so classic, so well-written and with this fresh, brisk northern feeling. Austere surroundings, hard people, nature that does not bend to human’s will. I could easily picture the evening when the stranger came to a remote Finnish farm and changed the lives of people living there altogether. I remember similar feeling when I was reading The Rock from the Sky by Jaan Kross, some of the atmosphere, the touch of such chilly night… In such moment it becomes sadly visible how many books, even those that I like, are not written very beautifully. (Mind you, I do not mean Bujold, I adore the way she writes.)
The story continues and I’m falling even deeper into the novella, I love the theme of repairing one’s property, being it a land, a house, whatever and in that hard work mending one’s life all the same. The relations between the characters, blooming gently in the inevitable way… Nature, real life, I do like all of it and I became really engrossed in the story of mostly nameless characters (although the only person whose name we never learn is the woman – is it because she was the only one, easy to distinguish, was she more of a symbol then or…)
But then, in the last ¼ of the books something goes wrong. The characters are plainly divided into those good and bad and their descriptions start to be repetitive. This natural severity verges on sentimentality and it does not suit the story. It is not difficult to predict the ending, come on, it’s a Finnish story, but I was left with mixed feelings. The beginning raised my expectations, I hoped for more. More depth, more story, more time to make it all have its right place. Maybe it was just too short?
After initial disappointment I started to regard this novella as still a good one, a strong narration with beautiful language and precise character studies. Still, it could be more…
When I started reading A Stranger Came to the Farm I had this feeling of elation – it was so classic, so well-written and with this fresh, brisk northern feeling. Austere surroundings, hard people, nature that does not bend to human’s will. I could easily picture the evening when the stranger came to a remote Finnish farm and changed the lives of people living there altogether. I remember similar feeling when I was reading The Rock from the Sky by Jaan Kross, some of the atmosphere, the touch of such chilly night… In such moment it becomes sadly visible how many books, even those that I like, are not written very beautifully. (Mind you, I do not mean Bujold, I adore the way she writes.)
The story continues and I’m falling even deeper into the novella, I love the theme of repairing one’s property, being it a land, a house, whatever and in that hard work mending one’s life all the same. The relations between the characters, blooming gently in the inevitable way… Nature, real life, I do like all of it and I became really engrossed in the story of mostly nameless characters (although the only person whose name we never learn is the woman – is it because she was the only one, easy to distinguish, was she more of a symbol then or…)
But then, in the last ¼ of the books something goes wrong. The characters are plainly divided into those good and bad and their descriptions start to be repetitive. This natural severity verges on sentimentality and it does not suit the story. It is not difficult to predict the ending, come on, it’s a Finnish story, but I was left with mixed feelings. The beginning raised my expectations, I hoped for more. More depth, more story, more time to make it all have its right place. Maybe it was just too short?
After initial disappointment I started to regard this novella as still a good one, a strong narration with beautiful language and precise character studies. Still, it could be more…
November 10, 2022
Un străin sosi la fermă în amurgul unei zile de primăvară. Bătătorise cale lungă, când se abătu pe drumul ce se despica, în capătul satului, din şosea. Peste zi, pământul se dezmorţise în căldura primăvăratică, dar frigul înserării făcu noroiul să scrâşnească iar sub tălpi. Brazi înalţi aruncau umbre pe drum şi, în bătaia piezişă a soarelui ce asfinţea, pereţii de stâncă scăpărau stacojii.
Străinul traversă pe o veche punte şubredă pârâul strâns între maluri abrupte, care, sub pojghiţa de gheaţă albăstrie, străbătea şerpuind câmpia. De amândouă părţile se întindeau ogoare golaşe,
despărţite prin îngrădiri de sârmă ghimpată în parcele simetrice. Pe miriştile pustii, înălţându-se domol pe coastele văii, mu mai rămăseseră decât lujerii cafenii uitaţi acolo de vara trecută şi, ici-
colo, pete fragile de zăpadă, pe care soarele zilei următoare avea să le topească. Prin păduri, zăpada stăruia pretutindeni şi, în luminişuri, văpaia melancolică a asfinţitului pălea pe nesimţite. Soarele ce scăpăta aprindea vâlvătăi pe care le reflectau, în urma străinului, geamurile satului prelins către apus. Deasupra caselor aţipite de-a lungul drumului, firele antenelor de radio se legănau, scăpărând în văzduhul albastru, peste curţile posomorâte. Drumul urca uşor în pantă, presărat cu gropi şi băltoace; între ele, roţile carelor tăiaseră pârtii adânci. Ici-colo mocnea verdele palid al acelor de brad şi cafeniul întunecat al ţărânei de pe ogoare, contrastând cu galbenul vesel al moviliţelor de nisip, cărate cu roaba după primul îngheţ.
Străinul traversă pe o veche punte şubredă pârâul strâns între maluri abrupte, care, sub pojghiţa de gheaţă albăstrie, străbătea şerpuind câmpia. De amândouă părţile se întindeau ogoare golaşe,
despărţite prin îngrădiri de sârmă ghimpată în parcele simetrice. Pe miriştile pustii, înălţându-se domol pe coastele văii, mu mai rămăseseră decât lujerii cafenii uitaţi acolo de vara trecută şi, ici-
colo, pete fragile de zăpadă, pe care soarele zilei următoare avea să le topească. Prin păduri, zăpada stăruia pretutindeni şi, în luminişuri, văpaia melancolică a asfinţitului pălea pe nesimţite. Soarele ce scăpăta aprindea vâlvătăi pe care le reflectau, în urma străinului, geamurile satului prelins către apus. Deasupra caselor aţipite de-a lungul drumului, firele antenelor de radio se legănau, scăpărând în văzduhul albastru, peste curţile posomorâte. Drumul urca uşor în pantă, presărat cu gropi şi băltoace; între ele, roţile carelor tăiaseră pârtii adânci. Ici-colo mocnea verdele palid al acelor de brad şi cafeniul întunecat al ţărânei de pe ogoare, contrastând cu galbenul vesel al moviliţelor de nisip, cărate cu roaba după primul îngheţ.
February 16, 2018
Kaunis, traaginen, pakahduttava! Hieno ja väkevä pienoisromaani, jonka käsin kosketeltava jännite kasvaa kirjan ensimmäisiltä sivuilta viimeisille kohti henkeäsalpaavaa kliimaksia. Uskottava tarina, upeaa maalaismiljöön ja suomalaisen ihmisluonnon kuvausta.
December 29, 2024
jak to jest napisane!
June 18, 2018
Vlastně by děj šel napsat jednou větou, ale tady se ukazuje, že "i cesta je cíl". Knížka nevelká rozsahem, ale plně zásobená atmosférou. Asi není úplně potřeba knihu číst kvůli tomu,aby se člověk dozvěděl, jak to dopadne. Spíš ji číst proto, aby ji nechal čtenář na sebe působit.
Jediné, co mi trochu vadilo, bylo to, že všichni 3 muži měli aspoň nějaké jméno, ale ženě ho Waltari nedopřál.
Dohru číst nebudu, pro mě je konec knihy dostatečně ukončený.
Jediné, co mi trochu vadilo, bylo to, že všichni 3 muži měli aspoň nějaké jméno, ale ženě ho Waltari nedopřál.
Dohru číst nebudu, pro mě je konec knihy dostatečně ukončený.
August 30, 2015
Amazing representation of traditional village life. I was really impressed by Waltari's picturesque descriptions of Finnish landscape. At the same time, this book is deeply emotive, sad and somehow stern. His style of writing, detailed images and unobtrusive narration have caused desire for escapism in me. This short novel is an additional boost for my long-standing desire to visit Finland. :)
Read
February 26, 2022Haluaisin joskus tehdä muutakin kuin valittaa teosten naiskuvasta, mutta tässä se nyt oli vaan melko järkky. Ja juu, se on ollut ihan normihomma lähes meidän päiviimme asti ja on osittain edelleen.
Miehillä on nimet, mutta nainen on alusta loppuun vain nainen. Tämän naisen onni ja kohtalo riippuvat täysin miehistä. Tuomittavaa on miehen maskuliinisuuden puute ja naismainen käytös.
Toisaalta nainen on vahva, kykenevä ja tekevä. Mutta silti miehen pitää pelastaa nainen toisen miehen kynsistä.
Kiinnostuksen ja ihastuksen herääminen on kuvattu kihelmöivästi. Huumaantumisen tunteisiin menee täysillä itsekin mukaan. Niin elävästi ja samastuttavasti ja samalla vaivihkaisesti ne on sanallistettu.
Ihanaa myös, etteivät tunteiden kohteet ole täydellisiä, sillä emme mekään ole, ja harvoin sitä rakkautemme kohteiltammekaan vaadimme. Työn kovettamat kädet ja se, mitä ne symboloivat, voivat itse asiassa hyvinkin olla se, mihin toisessa ihastutaan.
Tästä epätäydellisyydestä huolimatta Waltarin ihmiskuvaus myös normittaa vahvasti oikeanlaista naiseutta ja mieheyttä: työteliäisyys, ahkeruus, jäntevyys, suoraryhtisyys ja pehmeys ovat hyvän ja kunnollisen ihmisen markkereita, laiskuus, hintelyys ja nautinnonhalu puolestaan antagonistin ominaisuuksia.
Loppu koittaa liian nopeasti ja yllättäen. Loppua kohden tempo muuttuu yllättäen aiempaa selvästi nopeatahtisemmaksi ja lyhyessä ajassa tapahtuu liikaa.
Mutta on tässä silti jotain. Waltari osasi kynää käytellä.
Miehillä on nimet, mutta nainen on alusta loppuun vain nainen. Tämän naisen onni ja kohtalo riippuvat täysin miehistä. Tuomittavaa on miehen maskuliinisuuden puute ja naismainen käytös.
Toisaalta nainen on vahva, kykenevä ja tekevä. Mutta silti miehen pitää pelastaa nainen toisen miehen kynsistä.
Kiinnostuksen ja ihastuksen herääminen on kuvattu kihelmöivästi. Huumaantumisen tunteisiin menee täysillä itsekin mukaan. Niin elävästi ja samastuttavasti ja samalla vaivihkaisesti ne on sanallistettu.
Ihanaa myös, etteivät tunteiden kohteet ole täydellisiä, sillä emme mekään ole, ja harvoin sitä rakkautemme kohteiltammekaan vaadimme. Työn kovettamat kädet ja se, mitä ne symboloivat, voivat itse asiassa hyvinkin olla se, mihin toisessa ihastutaan.
Tästä epätäydellisyydestä huolimatta Waltarin ihmiskuvaus myös normittaa vahvasti oikeanlaista naiseutta ja mieheyttä: työteliäisyys, ahkeruus, jäntevyys, suoraryhtisyys ja pehmeys ovat hyvän ja kunnollisen ihmisen markkereita, laiskuus, hintelyys ja nautinnonhalu puolestaan antagonistin ominaisuuksia.
Loppu koittaa liian nopeasti ja yllättäen. Loppua kohden tempo muuttuu yllättäen aiempaa selvästi nopeatahtisemmaksi ja lyhyessä ajassa tapahtuu liikaa.
Mutta on tässä silti jotain. Waltari osasi kynää käytellä.
September 9, 2021
Waltari kirjoitti pienoisromaanin Vieras mies tuli taloon vieraalla kirjoituskoneella ja erilaisella tyylillä kuin muut teoksensa, jottei kukaan arvaisi sen olevan hänen. Tekstissä on jotain Huovista ja Hemingwayta. Tuloksena WSOY:n kilpailun voitto maalaisromanttisella maaseudun ylistyksellä ja idealisoivalla adjektiivimehustelulla. Tragedia loppuu kuolemiin ja murhaajan rankaisemattomuus sai aikalaiset kajahtamaan.
Tarina ei onneksi loppunut tähän, vaan ehkäpä yleisön toiveesta seuraavana vuonna ilmestyi oikeussaliromaanin (ja Waltarin "omaan") tyyliin kirjoitettu jatko-osa Jälkinäytös, joka antoi moraalisesti päinvastaisen lopun, jossa puutteet korjataan vieläpä siten, että tekstissä viitataan julkisuuden tuomioistuimeen. Voin kuvitella miten kirjailija on nauranut tätä kirjoittaessaan.
Waltarin pienoisromaanit tuovat mieleeni 2010-luvun minisarjat, joita alettiin suoratoistotelevision nousun myötä tuottaa yhä enemmän. Niissä on paljon materiaalia ja hahmoon menevää fiilistelyä kuten romaanissa, jatkuvasti paljon jännitettä, mutta toisaalta myös novellimaista aukkoisuutta.
Vielä triviaa: Waltari kirjoitti samaan kisaan myös pienoisromaanin Ei koskaan huomispäivää. Sen päähenkilön nimi on Astrid, aivan kuten Jälkinäytöksessä.
Tarina ei onneksi loppunut tähän, vaan ehkäpä yleisön toiveesta seuraavana vuonna ilmestyi oikeussaliromaanin (ja Waltarin "omaan") tyyliin kirjoitettu jatko-osa Jälkinäytös, joka antoi moraalisesti päinvastaisen lopun, jossa puutteet korjataan vieläpä siten, että tekstissä viitataan julkisuuden tuomioistuimeen. Voin kuvitella miten kirjailija on nauranut tätä kirjoittaessaan.
Waltarin pienoisromaanit tuovat mieleeni 2010-luvun minisarjat, joita alettiin suoratoistotelevision nousun myötä tuottaa yhä enemmän. Niissä on paljon materiaalia ja hahmoon menevää fiilistelyä kuten romaanissa, jatkuvasti paljon jännitettä, mutta toisaalta myös novellimaista aukkoisuutta.
Vielä triviaa: Waltari kirjoitti samaan kisaan myös pienoisromaanin Ei koskaan huomispäivää. Sen päähenkilön nimi on Astrid, aivan kuten Jälkinäytöksessä.
December 2, 2023
Δυο βιβλία του Μίκα Βαλτάρι έχω προς το παρόν στη συλλογή μου, το "Ο βάλτος" και το "Σινουχέ, ο Αιγύπτιος", και αποφάσισα να ξεκινήσω με το πρώτο, γιατί είναι (πολύ) μικρότερο σε μέγεθος και δεν ήθελα να μπω κατευθείαν στα βαθιά. Λοιπόν, δηλώνω ικανοποιημένος. Δεν ξετρελάθηκα κιόλας, όμως η αλήθεια είναι ότι ο συγγραφέας με τη γραφή του αλλά κυρίως με την ατμόσφαιρα και τα σκηνικά που δημιούργησε, κατάφερε να με καθηλώσει και να με κάνει να διαβάσω το βιβλίο σχεδόν μονορούφι. Πρόκειται για ένα μάλλον αργόσυρτο δράμα που διαδραματίζεται στη φιλανδική ύπαιθρο, με την ατμόσφαιρα να είναι ζοφερή, μουντή και σε σημεία κλειστοφοβική (παρά τις ανοιχτωσιές της υπαίθρου), με τον συγγραφέα να περιγράφει με αρκετά γλαφυρό τρόπο τα τοπία, τους χαρακτήρες και τα διάφορα σκηνικά. Και το τέλος είναι αν μη τι άλλο δυνατό και έντονο, αν και το είδα να έρχεται λίγες σελίδες πριν. Γενικά, ένα πολύ ωραίο και ατμοσφαιρικό μικρό μυθιστόρημα (ή μεγάλη νουβέλα), με το οποίο επιτέλους γνώρισα τον Μίκα Βαλτάρι.
October 23, 2018
Η γλώσσα ξενίζει λιγο στην αρχή με λεξεις οπως οι πετραδεροί λόφοι, τα σπιθηρισματα, και η αναγάλλια αλλα σιγά σιγά σε κερδίζει οπως κ η γραφή του Βάλταρι. Ο πρωτότυπος τίτλος στα φινλανδικά ειναι «Ένας ξένος ήρθε στο αγρόκτημα» και εκδοθηκε το 1939. Ο Κάκτος ή ο μεταφραστής του βιβλίου το 1995, ο Βαγγέλης Κατσάνης, προτίμησαν να αλλάξουν τίτλο. Το κείμενο με συγκίνησε κ ισως ειναι η μόνη φορά που οι περιγραφές τοπίων δεν με κούρασαν αλλα τις διάβαζα με ευχαρίστηση. Η σχεςη του ανθρώπου με τη γη κ η αλλοτρίωση των κατοίκων των πόλεων ειναι δυο απο τα θέματα που μπορώ να αποκαλύψω χωρίς να προδώσω την πλοκή η την έκβαση του βιβλίου. Αδημονώ για το επόμενο κείμενο του Βάλταρι (1908-1979).
March 12, 2026
Už se mi dlouho nestalo, aby na mě kniha tak moc zapůsobila (až tak moc, že se „obtěžuji” s psaním recenze). Aby ve mně vyvolala tak hluboké pocity, které jsem si myslela, že v dnešní přehlcené době už v sobě ani nenajdu.
Je krátká, ale úderná, vypráví úsporně a přece sdělí vše, co by měla.
Překvapením pro mě bylo i to, že mi tolik sedla narozdíl od jiných zkušeností s Waltariho tvorbou. Četla se svižně, možná až moc, takže jsem se při čtení musela (chtěla) zastavovat, abych se do příběhu jednotlivých postav mohla lépe vcítit. Ale to za mě není na škodu, naopak.
Nelze jinak než doporučit.
Je krátká, ale úderná, vypráví úsporně a přece sdělí vše, co by měla.
Překvapením pro mě bylo i to, že mi tolik sedla narozdíl od jiných zkušeností s Waltariho tvorbou. Četla se svižně, možná až moc, takže jsem se při čtení musela (chtěla) zastavovat, abych se do příběhu jednotlivých postav mohla lépe vcítit. Ale to za mě není na škodu, naopak.
Nelze jinak než doporučit.
May 26, 2017
Οι εναλλαγές προσώπων στην περιγραφή είναι κουραστικές, πολλές φορές χανόμουν....Το τέλος ήταν κάπως απότομο....βέβαια έχει ωραίες περιγραφές τοπίων.....Επίσης οι χαρακτήρες είναι αδιάφοροι...
November 1, 2017
When something is subtitled "A tragedy of the Finnish countryside" you know what kind of ride you're in for. Waltari's writing style once again satisfies.
January 4, 2019
The writing is too poetic for me, but it does convey characters, mood, and setting. It is a love triangle and a tragedy, set in western Finland.
March 19, 2019
bareto
April 12, 2022
“Un forastero llegó a la granja” es una novela de Mika Waltari publicada por primera vez en 1937 y titulada en finés como; “Vieras mies tuli taloon”, que narra la historia de un misterioso Forastero (Aaltonen) quien llega a una granja en los parajes del sur de Finlandia para pedir refugio a cambio de trabajo. En dicha granja vive Astrid, una citadina venida a menos junto a su alcohólico y enfermo esposo Alfred y el viejo Hermanni, quien sirve como peón y jornalero del lugar. Al introducirse Aaltonen en la vida de este sitio comenzara a conocer mejor los habitantes de dicha granja, dándose cuenta del horror que vive Astrid en su matrimonio y la decadencia de su relación, apoyando en la reconstrucción y mantenimiento de esta, termina por crear una bella relación con Astrid quien se termina enamorando de él, dándole una nueva esperanza de vida y una alegría al saberse embarazada de este. Pero toda alegría y paz será consumada por el trágico final en la que Alfred a manera de venganza termina por asesinar a sangre fría al famoso forastero, rompiendo así el ensueño de su esposa de poder vivir una vida nueva. Escrita de una forma rigurosa, la narrativa de Waltari es totalmente clásica y bella, sus recursos, descripciones y detalles evocan una literatura redonda y realista. Una novela que describe al ser humano, sus pasiones y arrebatos pero sobre todo, la gran capacidad que tenemos de tener una esperanza e ilusión, así como la capacidad de aceptación o resiliencia. Mika Waltari es un gran autor, que supo observar y detallar de gran manera al ser humano. Leerlo conlleva a rescontrarnos con una narrativa evocativa y apasionante. #unforasteroenlagranja #mikawaltari #vierasmiestulitaloon #literaturafinlandesa #finnishliterature #literaturacontemporanea #instareaders #readersofinstagram #lectoresdeinstagram
#leeresvivir
#leeresvivir
January 17, 2013
Je connaissais Mika Waltari pour ses fictions historique (Sinouhé l'égyptien, l'étrusque, les amants de Byzance...), qui sont tous aussi bien les uns que les autres, et nous font voyager.
Ici, le livre se passe dans son pays, la Finlande, et à son époque, dans une ferme. Et là encore, l'auteur réussi à nous plonger dans son univers. L'histoire de la rencontre et la cohabitation entre l'inconnu et les habitant de la ferme est très touchante, et l'évolution des personnages au long de l'histoire très intéressante.
Ce livre est une véritable immersion dans le monde rural dans la Finlande du début du XXe siècle.
Ici, le livre se passe dans son pays, la Finlande, et à son époque, dans une ferme. Et là encore, l'auteur réussi à nous plonger dans son univers. L'histoire de la rencontre et la cohabitation entre l'inconnu et les habitant de la ferme est très touchante, et l'évolution des personnages au long de l'histoire très intéressante.
Ce livre est une véritable immersion dans le monde rural dans la Finlande du début du XXe siècle.
September 23, 2015
It has beautiful descriptions of farm life in Finland but one could predict the ending very easily and that decreases the element of suspense in a story.... The tragic ending could be prevented but it seemed that the characters did not care about it!!
December 28, 2021
Äänikirja
Want to read
August 27, 2017الكتاب الرابع عشر
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews