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Rabbit Factor #1
The Rabbit Factor
An insurance mathematician’s carefully ordered life is turned on its head when he unexpectedly loses his job and inherits an adventure park … with a whole host of problems. A quirky, tense and warmly funny thriller from award-winning Finnish author Antti Tuomainen.
What makes life perfect? Insurance mathematician Henri Koskinen knows the answer because he calculates everything down to the very last decimal.
And then, for the first time, Henri is faced with the incalculable. After suddenly losing his job, Henri inherits an adventure park from his brother – its peculiar employees and troubling financial problems included. The worst of the financial issues appear to originate from big loans taken from criminal quarters … and some dangerous men are very keen to get their money back.
But what Henri really can’t compute is love. In the adventure park, Henri crosses paths with Laura, an artist with a chequered past, and a joie de vivre and erratic lifestyle that bewilders him. As the criminals go to extreme lengths to collect their debts and as Henri's relationship with Laura deepens, he finds himself faced with situations and emotions that simply cannot be pinned down on his spreadsheets…
Warmly funny, rich with quirky characters and absurd situations, The Rabbit Factor is a triumph of a dark thriller, its tension matched only by its ability to make us rejoice in the beauty and random nature of life.
What makes life perfect? Insurance mathematician Henri Koskinen knows the answer because he calculates everything down to the very last decimal.
And then, for the first time, Henri is faced with the incalculable. After suddenly losing his job, Henri inherits an adventure park from his brother – its peculiar employees and troubling financial problems included. The worst of the financial issues appear to originate from big loans taken from criminal quarters … and some dangerous men are very keen to get their money back.
But what Henri really can’t compute is love. In the adventure park, Henri crosses paths with Laura, an artist with a chequered past, and a joie de vivre and erratic lifestyle that bewilders him. As the criminals go to extreme lengths to collect their debts and as Henri's relationship with Laura deepens, he finds himself faced with situations and emotions that simply cannot be pinned down on his spreadsheets…
Warmly funny, rich with quirky characters and absurd situations, The Rabbit Factor is a triumph of a dark thriller, its tension matched only by its ability to make us rejoice in the beauty and random nature of life.
300 pages, Hardcover
First published August 19, 2020
About the author
Antti Tuomainen
34 books424 followersAntti Tuomainen (b. 1971) is one of Finland’s most acclaimed and award-winning crime fiction writers. To date, Tuomainen’s works have been translated into more than 25 languages. Crowned “The King of Helsinki Noir,” Tuomainen’s piercing and evocative style has never stopped evolving.
In The Man Who Died, Tuomainen displays a new side of his authorship and unveils his multifaceted ability in full. The novel, which combines Tuomainen’s trademark suspense with a darkly tinged humor, has won the hearts of readers and critics alike, and secured him the new title of King of Noir Comedy. The Man Who Died also became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards.
Palm Beach Finland was an immense success, with Marcel Berlins (The Times) calling Tuomainen 'the funniest writer in Europe'.
His latest thriller, Little Siberia, was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger, the Amazon Publishing/Capital Crime Awards and the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year.
In The Man Who Died, Tuomainen displays a new side of his authorship and unveils his multifaceted ability in full. The novel, which combines Tuomainen’s trademark suspense with a darkly tinged humor, has won the hearts of readers and critics alike, and secured him the new title of King of Noir Comedy. The Man Who Died also became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards.
Palm Beach Finland was an immense success, with Marcel Berlins (The Times) calling Tuomainen 'the funniest writer in Europe'.
His latest thriller, Little Siberia, was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger, the Amazon Publishing/Capital Crime Awards and the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year.
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December 7, 2022
Maths and (dis)order
Numbers race through my mind. This is what the real, serious application of mathematics can give us. Happiness, comfort, hope. Sense and logic. And above all: solutions. Mathematics wins. Mathematics helps.
A humorous crime novel spiced up with ironic observations on love, death and risk assessment? And now for something completely different…
I don’t think I would have picked this if not for the reading club putting it on the reading list for this year. A few years ago we already read another farcical Finnish rodential novel - Arto Paasilinna's The Year of the Hare - and frankly, that sufficed for me.
Even if I enjoyed reading this absurdist financial and mafia thriller with a love and philosophical twist a tad more, I cannot say it stirred me particularly, despite the delightful and wise company of the protagonist’s cat Schopenhauer and his (the protagonist’s, not the cat’s) satiric take on nonsensical management blather (or is that a pleonasm?). Henri Koskinen’s struggle to concentrate on his calculations when the insurance company he works for moves to open space premises is pretty recognisable – just like his feeling having turned into a Dinosaur, a misfit in the modern workspace when missing the necessary mindset. I agree that open-plan offices were devised by satan in the deepest caverns of hell and that they are hell on earth for introverts.
I didn’t like them and I didn’t like our open-plan office. It was noisy, full of distractions, interruptions, banalities. But more than anything, it was full of people. I didn’t like the things that so many others seemed to like: spontaneous conversations, the continual asking for and giving of advice, the constant cheap banter.
(It is even worse with misophonia).
From an optimist perspective, as I haven’t met before a jobless actuary who sees mathematics and logic as the solution to all one’s problems and who overnight turns into an attractive, successful people manager annex hero saving the adventure park he inherited from his brother both from criminals and bankruptcy every day and the cover of this novel (I am not sure which I disliked more, the one of the Dutch or of the English translation) was so hideous the book could only be better, why would I grumble on having been gifted a couple of hours of escapist, almost childish cartoonesque technicolor fun, a mildly amusing feel good experience? This is unpretentious entertainment and a film adaptation is the making. Shouldn’t that be enough, foolish and spoilt book snob that I am?
I could reveal the connection between Tove Jansson’s art and this novel but perhaps I would prefer not to. Ditto for Georgia O’Keeffe, Lee Krasner, Dorothea Tanning, Helen Frankenthaler and Tamara De Lempicka.
(**1/2)
Numbers race through my mind. This is what the real, serious application of mathematics can give us. Happiness, comfort, hope. Sense and logic. And above all: solutions. Mathematics wins. Mathematics helps.
A humorous crime novel spiced up with ironic observations on love, death and risk assessment? And now for something completely different…
I don’t think I would have picked this if not for the reading club putting it on the reading list for this year. A few years ago we already read another farcical Finnish rodential novel - Arto Paasilinna's The Year of the Hare - and frankly, that sufficed for me.
Even if I enjoyed reading this absurdist financial and mafia thriller with a love and philosophical twist a tad more, I cannot say it stirred me particularly, despite the delightful and wise company of the protagonist’s cat Schopenhauer and his (the protagonist’s, not the cat’s) satiric take on nonsensical management blather (or is that a pleonasm?). Henri Koskinen’s struggle to concentrate on his calculations when the insurance company he works for moves to open space premises is pretty recognisable – just like his feeling having turned into a Dinosaur, a misfit in the modern workspace when missing the necessary mindset. I agree that open-plan offices were devised by satan in the deepest caverns of hell and that they are hell on earth for introverts.
I didn’t like them and I didn’t like our open-plan office. It was noisy, full of distractions, interruptions, banalities. But more than anything, it was full of people. I didn’t like the things that so many others seemed to like: spontaneous conversations, the continual asking for and giving of advice, the constant cheap banter.
(It is even worse with misophonia).
From an optimist perspective, as I haven’t met before a jobless actuary who sees mathematics and logic as the solution to all one’s problems and who overnight turns into an attractive, successful people manager annex hero saving the adventure park he inherited from his brother both from criminals and bankruptcy every day and the cover of this novel (I am not sure which I disliked more, the one of the Dutch or of the English translation) was so hideous the book could only be better, why would I grumble on having been gifted a couple of hours of escapist, almost childish cartoonesque technicolor fun, a mildly amusing feel good experience? This is unpretentious entertainment and a film adaptation is the making. Shouldn’t that be enough, foolish and spoilt book snob that I am?
I could reveal the connection between Tove Jansson’s art and this novel but perhaps I would prefer not to. Ditto for Georgia O’Keeffe, Lee Krasner, Dorothea Tanning, Helen Frankenthaler and Tamara De Lempicka.
(**1/2)
September 11, 2022
Though this book has a good amount of crime thrown in, it is actually a good light read which you can get through pretty quickly.
Henri Kosknen is an actuary. He prides himself on his mathematics skills and is also very unsociable. So much so that the insurance company he works for gives him an ultimatum – he needs to participate in team building exercises or take an isolated seat on the ground floor and work as instructed or hand in his resignation. Henri chooses to leave and is in the process of finding a new job. At this time, his brother passes away and he inherits an adventure park his brother owned and ran. As he takes over the adventure park which has seven permanent employees, he finds the financials in a total mess. Added to that, his brother had some contacts with some unsavoury characters who now issue threats to Henri. Henri finds himself drawn to Laura, who helps in managing the park and has an artistic touch. She, however, has some secrets which Henri realizes much later. Then there is Kristian who says he was promised to be elevated to the General Manager. Henri unleashes a lot of meaningless theories on him to make the point that he is not yet ready such as the below:
“Learning about self-relevance isn’t just a linear-psychological or a cumulative emotional learning curve, you know”.
As Henri does his best to get things on track, more threats and violence ensue.
As I mentioned, this is a good book to relax with. The humor is pretty good, though overdone in parts – such as during the date Henri and Laura go on. The story has quite a bit of violence, but there are no gory details in any of the episodes.
My rating: 3.75 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for a free electronic review copy.
Henri Kosknen is an actuary. He prides himself on his mathematics skills and is also very unsociable. So much so that the insurance company he works for gives him an ultimatum – he needs to participate in team building exercises or take an isolated seat on the ground floor and work as instructed or hand in his resignation. Henri chooses to leave and is in the process of finding a new job. At this time, his brother passes away and he inherits an adventure park his brother owned and ran. As he takes over the adventure park which has seven permanent employees, he finds the financials in a total mess. Added to that, his brother had some contacts with some unsavoury characters who now issue threats to Henri. Henri finds himself drawn to Laura, who helps in managing the park and has an artistic touch. She, however, has some secrets which Henri realizes much later. Then there is Kristian who says he was promised to be elevated to the General Manager. Henri unleashes a lot of meaningless theories on him to make the point that he is not yet ready such as the below:
“Learning about self-relevance isn’t just a linear-psychological or a cumulative emotional learning curve, you know”.
As Henri does his best to get things on track, more threats and violence ensue.
As I mentioned, this is a good book to relax with. The humor is pretty good, though overdone in parts – such as during the date Henri and Laura go on. The story has quite a bit of violence, but there are no gory details in any of the episodes.
My rating: 3.75 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for a free electronic review copy.
September 24, 2022
The Rabbit Factor is the first novel in the Rabbit Factor series by award-winning Finnish author, Antti Tuomainen. It is translated from Finnish by David Hackston. Within a few days in late September 2020, Henri Koskinen has lost his actuarial job, his brother, Juhani, and inherited an Adventure Park on the outskirts of Helsinki. Worse still, when he takes a quick look, he discovers that YouMeFun, despite being a relatively successful business, has a mountain of unpaid bills and a massive loan to repay.
Henri was never really close to Juhani, who had more in common with their chaotic parents. “Juhani was fun and flexible. Humorous and quick-witted. Spontaneous and amiable” while Henri “had only one deep-held wish. I wanted everything to be sensible”
“He used to joke, saying I would die of stiffness. I told him I was very much alive and not at all stiff, I just wanted things to occur in a good, logical order and that I based all my actions on rational thinking” but now Henri wishes he knew more about his brother, and what Juhani could possibly have done with so much money.
Even before he has met all the staff and had a decent look at the books, a reptilian organised-crime type and his heavy turn up to demand payment of his brother’s two-hundred-thousand-euro debt, with interest. Not that Henri has the money to pay but, as an actuary, what he really objects to the exorbitant interest rate: ten per cent over just two and a half weeks? Henri narrowly escapes losing a finger, but he knows that won’t be their last visit.
Sure enough, a few days later, as he’s trying, after hours, to repair the broken ear on a giant rabbit statue, a nasty fellow with a knife (or two) turns up to deliver him an unambiguous message. Another narrow escape that sees Henri taking action he could never have envisaged when he was working for the insurance company, and he really has to figure out something to get them off his back.
What is really puzzling is how Knife Man knew Henri was there alone, and how he got into the park. Juhani gave the staff free rein with running the place: could one of them be in cahoots with the crooks? They are an unusual bunch, and Henri knows his directness can be off-putting:
“‘I can be frank with you, yes?’
‘I believe it’s for the best,’ I say. ‘Some people say it can be rude, but I think the benefits far outweigh the possible drawbacks. I’m not sure of the exact ratio, but in my experience I can say that the probability of causing offence can’t be higher than ten percent. That gives being frank around a ninety-percent chance of success. Those are exceptionally good odds.’”
Needing to pay the loan, the bills and trying to keep the adventure park running, Henri comes up with a bold plan and presents his criminal creditors with an audacious proposal, the sort only an actuary could convince the big man will be viable. His radical idea includes starting a bank and offering park patrons pay-day loans, but can it really work?
As if he doesn’t have enough on his plate, the reptilian guy tries to blackmail him, someone might be sabotaging park structures, and he finds himself falling for the park’s manager. Laura Helanto is an artist whose murals are transforming the park and have Henri inexplicably fascinated. The mathematician in him tries to analyse why, without success. Oh, and a Helsinki Police DI is looking for Knife Man…
As well as the artist, his team consists of Kristian (a maintenance man who was promised the position of General Manager), Minttu K (an alcoholic marketing and sales manager), Esa (a head of security who wants to be a US marine), Samppa (an earringed, tattooed children’s entertainer), Johanna (a fitness-freak café manager) and Venla (a ticket-seller who has yet to turn up for work).
There’s plenty of humour in this novel, some of it quite black, and a delicious irony when Henri uses the exact same touchy-feely language that drove him from his last job to handle Kristian’s promotion demands. Henri will remind some readers of Don Tillman: with his reliance on maths and logic, his imaginative problem solving and good intentions. More of this protagonist, in The Moose Paradox, will be most welcome. Recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Orenda Books
Henri was never really close to Juhani, who had more in common with their chaotic parents. “Juhani was fun and flexible. Humorous and quick-witted. Spontaneous and amiable” while Henri “had only one deep-held wish. I wanted everything to be sensible”
“He used to joke, saying I would die of stiffness. I told him I was very much alive and not at all stiff, I just wanted things to occur in a good, logical order and that I based all my actions on rational thinking” but now Henri wishes he knew more about his brother, and what Juhani could possibly have done with so much money.
Even before he has met all the staff and had a decent look at the books, a reptilian organised-crime type and his heavy turn up to demand payment of his brother’s two-hundred-thousand-euro debt, with interest. Not that Henri has the money to pay but, as an actuary, what he really objects to the exorbitant interest rate: ten per cent over just two and a half weeks? Henri narrowly escapes losing a finger, but he knows that won’t be their last visit.
Sure enough, a few days later, as he’s trying, after hours, to repair the broken ear on a giant rabbit statue, a nasty fellow with a knife (or two) turns up to deliver him an unambiguous message. Another narrow escape that sees Henri taking action he could never have envisaged when he was working for the insurance company, and he really has to figure out something to get them off his back.
What is really puzzling is how Knife Man knew Henri was there alone, and how he got into the park. Juhani gave the staff free rein with running the place: could one of them be in cahoots with the crooks? They are an unusual bunch, and Henri knows his directness can be off-putting:
“‘I can be frank with you, yes?’
‘I believe it’s for the best,’ I say. ‘Some people say it can be rude, but I think the benefits far outweigh the possible drawbacks. I’m not sure of the exact ratio, but in my experience I can say that the probability of causing offence can’t be higher than ten percent. That gives being frank around a ninety-percent chance of success. Those are exceptionally good odds.’”
Needing to pay the loan, the bills and trying to keep the adventure park running, Henri comes up with a bold plan and presents his criminal creditors with an audacious proposal, the sort only an actuary could convince the big man will be viable. His radical idea includes starting a bank and offering park patrons pay-day loans, but can it really work?
As if he doesn’t have enough on his plate, the reptilian guy tries to blackmail him, someone might be sabotaging park structures, and he finds himself falling for the park’s manager. Laura Helanto is an artist whose murals are transforming the park and have Henri inexplicably fascinated. The mathematician in him tries to analyse why, without success. Oh, and a Helsinki Police DI is looking for Knife Man…
As well as the artist, his team consists of Kristian (a maintenance man who was promised the position of General Manager), Minttu K (an alcoholic marketing and sales manager), Esa (a head of security who wants to be a US marine), Samppa (an earringed, tattooed children’s entertainer), Johanna (a fitness-freak café manager) and Venla (a ticket-seller who has yet to turn up for work).
There’s plenty of humour in this novel, some of it quite black, and a delicious irony when Henri uses the exact same touchy-feely language that drove him from his last job to handle Kristian’s promotion demands. Henri will remind some readers of Don Tillman: with his reliance on maths and logic, his imaginative problem solving and good intentions. More of this protagonist, in The Moose Paradox, will be most welcome. Recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Orenda Books
July 7, 2022
Unquestionably hilarious and at the same time absolutely bizarre
“The Rabbit Factor” is Henri Koskinen’s story. He is an actuary; fair and nice and reliable. His life is matter-of-fact, a bit edgy, but strictly businesslike, at least thus far. And at the age of forty-two, he just wants everything to be sensible. Then, the man and a giant rabbit made of metal and plastic collide at great speed. Now, mister “Mathematics is incorruptible,” mister “probability calculus,” mister “always tells the truth” has been fooled. He treads on the edge between absurdity and trauma. He has inherited an adventure park, (not an AMUSEMENT park) YouMeFun, and its entire staff.
The drama and trauma unfolds in Henri’s first person factual narrative. He describes events in great detail, not a fact left out, as if he is relating experiences to an official or biographer or reporter rather than to a friend, but then he is a person who only relates to facts and does not interact much with people. The adventure park smells of children’s horseplay and fast food. It has a dead man in the freezer, and is losing money. Now money Henri understands. He is a money man; mathematics is the key. People might betray him, but numbers do not. In the midst of the chaos of the Pinball Parlour, Trombone Cannons, the Komodo Locomotive, and the Curly Cake Café, numbers represent order.
The narrative is filled with figurative language and imaginative descriptions. The silence is like water in a glass, transparent but still concrete, tangible. The moon looks like creamy Finnish cheese, yellow and hanging heavily in the sky, almost within reach. The story progresses at an even pace but increases in intensity and incongruity. The truth has sharp, cold, deeply personal nails ready to scratch and tear Henri to pieces.
“The Rabbit Factor” is unquestionably hilarious and at the same time absolutely bizarre. I must look for Cinnamon Gigglebuns. I received a review copy of “The Rabbit Factor” from author Antti Tuomainen, translator David Hackston, Orenda Books and Independent Publishers Group “The Rabbit Factor” is now available in print, as an e-book, and on audio from independent bookstores, online booksellers, retail stores, public libraries and anywhere you get your books.
“The Rabbit Factor” is Henri Koskinen’s story. He is an actuary; fair and nice and reliable. His life is matter-of-fact, a bit edgy, but strictly businesslike, at least thus far. And at the age of forty-two, he just wants everything to be sensible. Then, the man and a giant rabbit made of metal and plastic collide at great speed. Now, mister “Mathematics is incorruptible,” mister “probability calculus,” mister “always tells the truth” has been fooled. He treads on the edge between absurdity and trauma. He has inherited an adventure park, (not an AMUSEMENT park) YouMeFun, and its entire staff.
The drama and trauma unfolds in Henri’s first person factual narrative. He describes events in great detail, not a fact left out, as if he is relating experiences to an official or biographer or reporter rather than to a friend, but then he is a person who only relates to facts and does not interact much with people. The adventure park smells of children’s horseplay and fast food. It has a dead man in the freezer, and is losing money. Now money Henri understands. He is a money man; mathematics is the key. People might betray him, but numbers do not. In the midst of the chaos of the Pinball Parlour, Trombone Cannons, the Komodo Locomotive, and the Curly Cake Café, numbers represent order.
The narrative is filled with figurative language and imaginative descriptions. The silence is like water in a glass, transparent but still concrete, tangible. The moon looks like creamy Finnish cheese, yellow and hanging heavily in the sky, almost within reach. The story progresses at an even pace but increases in intensity and incongruity. The truth has sharp, cold, deeply personal nails ready to scratch and tear Henri to pieces.
“The Rabbit Factor” is unquestionably hilarious and at the same time absolutely bizarre. I must look for Cinnamon Gigglebuns. I received a review copy of “The Rabbit Factor” from author Antti Tuomainen, translator David Hackston, Orenda Books and Independent Publishers Group “The Rabbit Factor” is now available in print, as an e-book, and on audio from independent bookstores, online booksellers, retail stores, public libraries and anywhere you get your books.
October 20, 2021
I don't have the best success rate when it comes to Scandinavian thriller/crime novels but this one I end up really enjoying. Sad though that there is no book two available yet, at least not in swedish. Intriguing plot and never a dull moment. I enjoyed Antti Tuomainen writing style and was very intrigued to read more by him(or her, not sure) but sadly no more books for me to binge.
June 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this and am already feeling the blues now that I finished.
April 30, 2022
If I’d had any concerns that a book about an adventure park starring a giant plastic rabbit would not be my thing, then these were rapidly dispelled as Antti Tuomainen’s quirky protagonist and black humour soon drew me into the story and kept me enthralled. THE RABBIT FACTOR reads like a mix between Nordic noir and dark comedy, and I really enjoyed the unusual blend of genres.
Mathematician Henri Koskinen seems like an unlikely character to inherit an adventure park, but this is by far not the most absurd situation he is about to encounter, nor the last. Despite his best intentions and careful planning, he soon finds himself on the wrong side of a group of criminals who intend on collecting a debt and will stop at nothing to get what is owed to them. With an atmospheric setting in a Finnish adventure park, there is nothing ordinary or predictable about this novel, and it was like a breath of fresh air in the sea of same-old murder mysteries that are flooding the market.
Tuomainen has mastered the art of transcending the dark and gloomy atmosphere Nordic thrillers are renowned for, whilst keeping up an air of intrigue and suspense. It even got my heart rate up a few times as Henri stumbled headlong into disaster! Supported by a rich cast of characters as unusual and quirky as Henri himself, THE RABBIT FACTOR both surprised and delighted me with its originality. I loved the way Henri tried to apply logic to even the most absurd situations, which made for some interesting encounters.
All in all ,THE RABBIT FACTOR was a delightful mix of nordic noir and dark comedy which will appeal to readers who are looking for mysteries that stand out from the rest. Quirky and original, it is difficult to pigeonhole it in any particular genre, though the mystery element definitely lies at its core. For those readers who like a bit of action or a hint of romance, it caters for all of you as well. I am surprised that I haven't read any other novels by this author before, but will certainly look up all his backlist now.
Thank you to Orenda Books for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
Mathematician Henri Koskinen seems like an unlikely character to inherit an adventure park, but this is by far not the most absurd situation he is about to encounter, nor the last. Despite his best intentions and careful planning, he soon finds himself on the wrong side of a group of criminals who intend on collecting a debt and will stop at nothing to get what is owed to them. With an atmospheric setting in a Finnish adventure park, there is nothing ordinary or predictable about this novel, and it was like a breath of fresh air in the sea of same-old murder mysteries that are flooding the market.
Tuomainen has mastered the art of transcending the dark and gloomy atmosphere Nordic thrillers are renowned for, whilst keeping up an air of intrigue and suspense. It even got my heart rate up a few times as Henri stumbled headlong into disaster! Supported by a rich cast of characters as unusual and quirky as Henri himself, THE RABBIT FACTOR both surprised and delighted me with its originality. I loved the way Henri tried to apply logic to even the most absurd situations, which made for some interesting encounters.
All in all ,THE RABBIT FACTOR was a delightful mix of nordic noir and dark comedy which will appeal to readers who are looking for mysteries that stand out from the rest. Quirky and original, it is difficult to pigeonhole it in any particular genre, though the mystery element definitely lies at its core. For those readers who like a bit of action or a hint of romance, it caters for all of you as well. I am surprised that I haven't read any other novels by this author before, but will certainly look up all his backlist now.
Thank you to Orenda Books for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
February 7, 2022
The Rabbit Factor stands as a testament to those who no longer believe in the immutable laws that make all Scandanavian crime fiction dark and gloomy and depressing. Set in modern-day Helsinki, the Rabbit Factor features the quirkiest heron ever to grace the pages of modern fiction, Henri Koskinen is an insurance acturial who lives and breathes mathematical equations. Everything in life for him is reduced to probabilities from which subway car to get in to what restaurant to go to on a date. He is frustrated by the firm he works for as it has become swallowed up in a crushing wave of touchy-feely empathy workshops and all good ole Henri wants is to get back to his mathematical probabilities. Being no fun in the office, he naturally gets eliminated.
But, sometimes karma is fickle enough to work and, upon losing a job, Henri inherits an amusement park from his estranged brother. It’s actually an adventure park as Henri so often explains in the story rather than an amusement park because the kids there get to climb and run and often create their own adventures. It has seven quirky employees, none of whom could function for even a day in the real world- whatever and wherever that is. Of course, to make things interesting, the park is up to its veritable eyeballs in debt and a bunch of nasty hoodlums are demanding interest payments.
The quirky dark comedy of the The Rabbit Factor is how the innocent odd fellow named Henri deals with the hoodlums, proving once and for all that acturials are greatly underestimated. Henri also has a torrid romance with one of his employees who finds his odd disconnected ways honest and endearing. As the corpses pile up, hidden in nearly plain sight, and the the police inspector is hot on his heels, Henri must come up with a way to save the park from the brink of bankruptcy and save his own butt while he is at it.
Translated for the first time in English from its original Finnish, the Rabbit Factor is, like Henri, unique, odd, and different. The writing style serves it well and makes it a suprisingly charming read.
But, sometimes karma is fickle enough to work and, upon losing a job, Henri inherits an amusement park from his estranged brother. It’s actually an adventure park as Henri so often explains in the story rather than an amusement park because the kids there get to climb and run and often create their own adventures. It has seven quirky employees, none of whom could function for even a day in the real world- whatever and wherever that is. Of course, to make things interesting, the park is up to its veritable eyeballs in debt and a bunch of nasty hoodlums are demanding interest payments.
The quirky dark comedy of the The Rabbit Factor is how the innocent odd fellow named Henri deals with the hoodlums, proving once and for all that acturials are greatly underestimated. Henri also has a torrid romance with one of his employees who finds his odd disconnected ways honest and endearing. As the corpses pile up, hidden in nearly plain sight, and the the police inspector is hot on his heels, Henri must come up with a way to save the park from the brink of bankruptcy and save his own butt while he is at it.
Translated for the first time in English from its original Finnish, the Rabbit Factor is, like Henri, unique, odd, and different. The writing style serves it well and makes it a suprisingly charming read.
October 13, 2022
Αντί άποψης, μία ερώτηση -ή και δυο: Σοβαρά τώρα; Ήταν αυτό το βιβλίο έξυπνο, διασκεδαστικό και θα μεταφερθεί στον κινηματογράφο;
Ήταν αυτό ένα παράδοξο θρίλερ που θα μας έκανε να γελάσουμε;Τι στην ευχή γίνεται με τα ναρκωτικά εκεί έξω;
2/5 με μεγάλη επιείκεια. Και αυτό,αποκλειστικά για κάτι αποσπάσματα που δεν ήταν καν του συγγραφέα - και για το εξώφυλλο. Τζάμπα το ξενύχτι...
Ήταν αυτό ένα παράδοξο θρίλερ που θα μας έκανε να γελάσουμε;Τι στην ευχή γίνεται με τα ναρκωτικά εκεί έξω;
2/5 με μεγάλη επιείκεια. Και αυτό,αποκλειστικά για κάτι αποσπάσματα που δεν ήταν καν του συγγραφέα - και για το εξώφυλλο. Τζάμπα το ξενύχτι...
May 3, 2022
This was delightful wry and charmingly sweet.
Set in Helsinki, an actuarial inherits an adventure park—not an amusement park. Henri is extremely logical and makes decisions in his life based on probabilities. Let’s just say that this adventure park is not what he would have chosen. Alas, you have to play it as it lays.
What follows is a rather funny, slightly dark suspense as Henri attempts to sort out the numerous variables making YouMeFun problematic and financially unstable.
Henri is the awkward, yet competent hero of the story. He is adorkable and the experience of YouMeFun leads to a transformation.
Entertaining and fast read.
’So, either I conduct meaningless calculations or I take part in amateurish therapy sessions that jeopardise our attention to serious mathematical thinking of the highest order? The former is pointless, the latter leads only to disorganisation, chaos and perdition.’
Set in Helsinki, an actuarial inherits an adventure park—not an amusement park. Henri is extremely logical and makes decisions in his life based on probabilities. Let’s just say that this adventure park is not what he would have chosen. Alas, you have to play it as it lays.
What follows is a rather funny, slightly dark suspense as Henri attempts to sort out the numerous variables making YouMeFun problematic and financially unstable.
It turns out customer service is very difficult. And it’s because of the customers.
Henri is the awkward, yet competent hero of the story. He is adorkable and the experience of YouMeFun leads to a transformation.
Entertaining and fast read.
July 24, 2022
THE RABBIT FACTOR by Antti Tuomainen is a darkly comedic book that is also charming, absurb and heartwarming. This was such a pleasure to read. Who knew an actuary turned reluctant adventure park owner could become both hero and anti-hero? Henri Koskinen himself didn’t, until circumstances challenge him to think and act outside his orderly, mathematics oriented life.
Not only does Henri inherit a financially crippled adventure park and its motley crew of employees, there’s also the local loan sharks who insist he repay his brother’s significant debts . . . or else.
I thoroughly enjoyed Henri’s journey as he applies his ever-present pragmatism and logic to the challenges he faces. Not only do his methods meet with some success, but Henri finds himself growing and changing in ways he never imagined or calculated as being of value.
I was not surprised to read that this book is being turned into a movie. I hope the production company does it justice.
We can’t have books without authors, and we certainly can’t have translated-to-English novels without a talented translator, so thank you, David Hackston.
A highly recommended read.
4.5 stars
Review copy courtesy of THE Book Club Reviewer Group (Facebook) and Orenda Books
Not only does Henri inherit a financially crippled adventure park and its motley crew of employees, there’s also the local loan sharks who insist he repay his brother’s significant debts . . . or else.
I thoroughly enjoyed Henri’s journey as he applies his ever-present pragmatism and logic to the challenges he faces. Not only do his methods meet with some success, but Henri finds himself growing and changing in ways he never imagined or calculated as being of value.
I was not surprised to read that this book is being turned into a movie. I hope the production company does it justice.
We can’t have books without authors, and we certainly can’t have translated-to-English novels without a talented translator, so thank you, David Hackston.
A highly recommended read.
4.5 stars
Review copy courtesy of THE Book Club Reviewer Group (Facebook) and Orenda Books
May 11, 2023
Ένας αναλογιστής (don't ask) προφανώς στα όρια του "φάσματος" (ένα είναι το "φάσμα") παραιτείται από τη δουλειά του και αναλαμβάνει το πάρκο περιπέτειας για παιδιά του αδελφού του (που μόλις έχει αποβιώσει). Μαζί, κληρονομεί και το μπλέξιμο του αδελφού του με το οργανωμένο έγκλημα και τους υπαλλήλους του πάρκου.
Μέσα σε λίγες μέρες καταφέρνει να σκοτώσει τρεις σκληρούς κακοποιούς -τον έναν με ένα αυτί λαγού (ΟΚ, ο λαγός είναι larger than life), τον δεύτερο με πνιγμό μέσα σε αυτοκίνητο και τον τρίτο με ασφυξία σε πορτμπαγκάζ ενισχυμένη από κακότεχνο δέσιμο- ενώ επιτυγχάνει να παγιδέυσει και έναν νονό του εγκλήματος με ανώνυμο mail. Ενδιάμεσα προλαβαίνει να ερωτευτεί και να απογοητευτεί. Τώρα δε χρειάζεται να σπαταλήσετε 2-3 ώρες για να διαβάσετε αυτό το αφελές, φλύαρο και με κακή αίσθηση του χιούμορ πόνημα του Tuomainen.
Πάμε στα επιμέρους.
Ο κεντρικός χαρακτήρας έχει ένα ενδιαφέρον στην αρχή, χάρη στις παραξενιές του, αλλά μέχρι εκεί. Οι υπόλοιποι είναι καρικατούρες, άχρωμες, άοσμες, αδιάφορες. Ακόμα και οι κακοί. Ακόμα και ο κακός που λέγεται "άνθρωπος σαύρα".
Το Φινλανδικό μπλακ χιούμορ έχει έντονη έλλειψη βιταμίνης D. Αυτοί οι άνθρωποι μάλλον βλέπουν σπάνια ήλιο. Μου στάθηκε αδύνατο να γελάσω με ένα φουκαρά που τον ΑΠΑΓΧΟΝΙΖΟΥΝ εγκληματίες ενώ είναι δεμένος σε μια γουρούνα. Πείτε με αχιούμορο, δε με πειράζει. Άλλο τόσο δύσκολο ήταν να γελάσω με το ταλαίπωρο θύμα του "αρχικακού" που ήταν δεμένο στον "στύφτη".
Η ιστορία ρέει -ας το παραδεχτούμε αυτό- απρόσκοπτα, αλλά σχετικά αδιάφορα, σαν ένα ακόμα ρυάκι σε ένα σκοτεινό δάσος που δε σας κάνει μεγάλη αίσθηση να εξερευνήσετε. Δε θα σας κουράσει πουθενά, αλλά στο τέλος, η αίσθηση είναι "ΘΑ ΜΠΟΡΟΥΣΑ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΜΗΝ ΤΟ ΕΙΧΑ ΔΙΑΒΑΣΕΙ ΑΥΤΟ". Και αναφέρομαι στο βιβλίο στο σύνολό του.
Ο γάτος του πρωταγωνιστή που λέγεται Σοπενχάουερ είναι στο ίδιο επίπεδο cringe με τη σκύλα του Παπακαλιάτη που λεγόταν Μοναξιά, δηλαδή πιο cringe κι από τοποθέτηση του Στέφανου Χίου για τα δικαιώματα μετααστών και ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+.
Ο συγραφέας αναφέρεται ως ο πιο αστείος της Ευρώπης, οπότε ή τα σύνορα έχουν αλλάξει δραματικά από την τελευταία φορά που κοίταξα χάρτη, ή είναι το χειρότερο overselling στην ιστορία του overselling. Είναι τόσο αστείος, όσο να χάνεις το τελευταίο πλοίο, να μένεις από βενζίνη ενώ μεταφέρεις όργανα από δωρεά που θα σώσουν την ζωή κάποιου που είναι σε χειρουργείο, να είσαι έγκλειστος στο Άουσβιτς το 1942, ή η Τέρι Σκιάβο. Θέλω να πω, όλο και κάποιος θα βρει αστείες τις περιπτώσεις που ανέφερα, απλώς θα προτιμούσα να βρίσκεται σε απόσταση ασφαλείας (2 ηπείρων) από εμένα.
Κενό, ρηχό, με κακό χιούμορ και αδιάφορη πλοκή, μπαίνει στο ράφι για μην ξαναμνημονευτεί ποτέ (ίσως... αποτρεπτικά ως προς την ανάγνωσή του, σε τρίτους). Παίρνει με το ζόρι το δεύτερο αστεράκι χάρη στο... εξώφυλλο και την αρχική αίσθηση του πρωταγωνιστή. Τα υπόλοιπα σε ΧΥΤΑ, καύση, κλίβανο.
Συμπέρασμα: Μην την πατήσετε επειδή έχει χαριτωμένο εξώφυλλο. Είναι, επίπεδο, αδιάφορο, μη αστείο και λίγο "κακό στην ψυχή του".
Μέσα σε λίγες μέρες καταφέρνει να σκοτώσει τρεις σκληρούς κακοποιούς -τον έναν με ένα αυτί λαγού (ΟΚ, ο λαγός είναι larger than life), τον δεύτερο με πνιγμό μέσα σε αυτοκίνητο και τον τρίτο με ασφυξία σε πορτμπαγκάζ ενισχυμένη από κακότεχνο δέσιμο- ενώ επιτυγχάνει να παγιδέυσει και έναν νονό του εγκλήματος με ανώνυμο mail. Ενδιάμεσα προλαβαίνει να ερωτευτεί και να απογοητευτεί. Τώρα δε χρειάζεται να σπαταλήσετε 2-3 ώρες για να διαβάσετε αυτό το αφελές, φλύαρο και με κακή αίσθηση του χιούμορ πόνημα του Tuomainen.
Πάμε στα επιμέρους.
Ο κεντρικός χαρακτήρας έχει ένα ενδιαφέρον στην αρχή, χάρη στις παραξενιές του, αλλά μέχρι εκεί. Οι υπόλοιποι είναι καρικατούρες, άχρωμες, άοσμες, αδιάφορες. Ακόμα και οι κακοί. Ακόμα και ο κακός που λέγεται "άνθρωπος σαύρα".
Το Φινλανδικό μπλακ χιούμορ έχει έντονη έλλειψη βιταμίνης D. Αυτοί οι άνθρωποι μάλλον βλέπουν σπάνια ήλιο. Μου στάθηκε αδύνατο να γελάσω με ένα φουκαρά που τον ΑΠΑΓΧΟΝΙΖΟΥΝ εγκληματίες ενώ είναι δεμένος σε μια γουρούνα. Πείτε με αχιούμορο, δε με πειράζει. Άλλο τόσο δύσκολο ήταν να γελάσω με το ταλαίπωρο θύμα του "αρχικακού" που ήταν δεμένο στον "στύφτη".
Η ιστορία ρέει -ας το παραδεχτούμε αυτό- απρόσκοπτα, αλλά σχετικά αδιάφορα, σαν ένα ακόμα ρυάκι σε ένα σκοτεινό δάσος που δε σας κάνει μεγάλη αίσθηση να εξερευνήσετε. Δε θα σας κουράσει πουθενά, αλλά στο τέλος, η αίσθηση είναι "ΘΑ ΜΠΟΡΟΥΣΑ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΜΗΝ ΤΟ ΕΙΧΑ ΔΙΑΒΑΣΕΙ ΑΥΤΟ". Και αναφέρομαι στο βιβλίο στο σύνολό του.
Ο γάτος του πρωταγωνιστή που λέγεται Σοπενχάουερ είναι στο ίδιο επίπεδο cringe με τη σκύλα του Παπακαλιάτη που λεγόταν Μοναξιά, δηλαδή πιο cringe κι από τοποθέτηση του Στέφανου Χίου για τα δικαιώματα μετααστών και ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+.
Ο συγραφέας αναφέρεται ως ο πιο αστείος της Ευρώπης, οπότε ή τα σύνορα έχουν αλλάξει δραματικά από την τελευταία φορά που κοίταξα χάρτη, ή είναι το χειρότερο overselling στην ιστορία του overselling. Είναι τόσο αστείος, όσο να χάνεις το τελευταίο πλοίο, να μένεις από βενζίνη ενώ μεταφέρεις όργανα από δωρεά που θα σώσουν την ζωή κάποιου που είναι σε χειρουργείο, να είσαι έγκλειστος στο Άουσβιτς το 1942, ή η Τέρι Σκιάβο. Θέλω να πω, όλο και κάποιος θα βρει αστείες τις περιπτώσεις που ανέφερα, απλώς θα προτιμούσα να βρίσκεται σε απόσταση ασφαλείας (2 ηπείρων) από εμένα.
Κενό, ρηχό, με κακό χιούμορ και αδιάφορη πλοκή, μπαίνει στο ράφι για μην ξαναμνημονευτεί ποτέ (ίσως... αποτρεπτικά ως προς την ανάγνωσή του, σε τρίτους). Παίρνει με το ζόρι το δεύτερο αστεράκι χάρη στο... εξώφυλλο και την αρχική αίσθηση του πρωταγωνιστή. Τα υπόλοιπα σε ΧΥΤΑ, καύση, κλίβανο.
Συμπέρασμα: Μην την πατήσετε επειδή έχει χαριτωμένο εξώφυλλο. Είναι, επίπεδο, αδιάφορο, μη αστείο και λίγο "κακό στην ψυχή του".
November 6, 2022
I must confess that my heart does skip a little beat and dances around in my chest every time I settle down to read and review a book by the always excellent Antti Tuomainen. With every book we enter a world where the small, some would say humdrum existence of ordinary people, is suddenly enveloped in drama and absurdity, that shifts their world view, and thanks to the compassion of Tuomainen’s writing, ours too…
Henri Koskinen is one such individual, whose positively benign existence is shaken to its core following his being fired as an actuary, having had particular problems with the open office culture, moronic ‘inspirational’ business speak and having to interact with people- a skill that charmingly eludes Henri,
” I don’t need to know how other people are doing, I don’t want to know what they’re thinking, what they’ve done or how they experience things. I don’t what to know what they are planning, their hopes and their aspirations. So I don’t ask.”
Thrust into the strange world of running an adventure park- not an amusement park- an adventure park, with the sudden death of his brother, the previous owner, Henri’s life spirals into a confusing one, finding himself responsible for a whole team of idiosyncratic workers, and avoiding losing vital body parts as his brother’s criminal debtors start to encircle him like sharks. What Tuomainen achieves so brilliantly, not only in this book but throughout his writing, is the empowerment of the underdog, who we see grow in stature and ingenuity as circumstances rail against them and take on a darker edge. Such is the progression of Henri’s character, starting out as a man who defines every action according to the laws of mathematics and probability, but who gradually begins to appreciate other aspects of life outside of his cerebral world view through his interaction with others, and his desire to thwart the bad guys and make a modicum of success out of his new, admittedly unwanted, business path.
It would be impossible to contemplate a review of this book, without mentioning the sheer joy of the humour that Tuomainen has made a mainstay of his books to date, and with David Hackston’s assured transcription absolutely nothing is lost in translation. There is a precise control to how Tuomainen combines humour in the narrative, with the balance between the dark, the absurd and the slightly slapstick, sitting perfectly within the framework of the plot, and causing unexpected moments of sheer hilarious delight. Not for nothing does this book feature a giant rabbit on the cover, that proves instrumental in Henri’s growing stature as the adventure park avenger. This beautifully wrought use of humour extends to the characterisation too with the employees of the adventure park all displaying quirky, darn strange or conversely frighteningly ordinary character traits. I particularly loved one depiction of Henri’s character, tentatively navigating his growing attraction to the artistic Laura, an employee at the adventure park, despite being like a deer caught in headlights at the very notion of love and relationships despite bravely asking Laura out,
“without carrying out a single calculation or the most rudimentary probability assessment in advance”
– that’s romance right there Henri-style. However, ruled as he usually is by the laws and capabilities of mathematics, and having to plan a first date at a restaurant his penchant for probability assessments kicks in again,
“Given the average rating review, the distance from our respective bus stops, the prevailing weather, the day of the week, the time of year, your predilection for spicy food, and the fact that the point of a date is to try and make an impression on the other person, this seemed like the optimal choice.”
It’s this framing of Henri’s character throughout the book that so adds to the enjoyment, and as his day to day life becomes increasingly more embroiled with a bunch of criminals who begin to threaten life and limb this book really starts to accentuate the theme of the little ordinary guy taking on the world and redefining his previous limitations. It has a warm, life affirming feel to it but wonderfully fractured in places with moments of extreme peril and physical danger along the way. The Rabbit Factor is a delight from start to finish, and will entertain and delight you all too I’m sure.
Henri Koskinen is one such individual, whose positively benign existence is shaken to its core following his being fired as an actuary, having had particular problems with the open office culture, moronic ‘inspirational’ business speak and having to interact with people- a skill that charmingly eludes Henri,
” I don’t need to know how other people are doing, I don’t want to know what they’re thinking, what they’ve done or how they experience things. I don’t what to know what they are planning, their hopes and their aspirations. So I don’t ask.”
Thrust into the strange world of running an adventure park- not an amusement park- an adventure park, with the sudden death of his brother, the previous owner, Henri’s life spirals into a confusing one, finding himself responsible for a whole team of idiosyncratic workers, and avoiding losing vital body parts as his brother’s criminal debtors start to encircle him like sharks. What Tuomainen achieves so brilliantly, not only in this book but throughout his writing, is the empowerment of the underdog, who we see grow in stature and ingenuity as circumstances rail against them and take on a darker edge. Such is the progression of Henri’s character, starting out as a man who defines every action according to the laws of mathematics and probability, but who gradually begins to appreciate other aspects of life outside of his cerebral world view through his interaction with others, and his desire to thwart the bad guys and make a modicum of success out of his new, admittedly unwanted, business path.
It would be impossible to contemplate a review of this book, without mentioning the sheer joy of the humour that Tuomainen has made a mainstay of his books to date, and with David Hackston’s assured transcription absolutely nothing is lost in translation. There is a precise control to how Tuomainen combines humour in the narrative, with the balance between the dark, the absurd and the slightly slapstick, sitting perfectly within the framework of the plot, and causing unexpected moments of sheer hilarious delight. Not for nothing does this book feature a giant rabbit on the cover, that proves instrumental in Henri’s growing stature as the adventure park avenger. This beautifully wrought use of humour extends to the characterisation too with the employees of the adventure park all displaying quirky, darn strange or conversely frighteningly ordinary character traits. I particularly loved one depiction of Henri’s character, tentatively navigating his growing attraction to the artistic Laura, an employee at the adventure park, despite being like a deer caught in headlights at the very notion of love and relationships despite bravely asking Laura out,
“without carrying out a single calculation or the most rudimentary probability assessment in advance”
– that’s romance right there Henri-style. However, ruled as he usually is by the laws and capabilities of mathematics, and having to plan a first date at a restaurant his penchant for probability assessments kicks in again,
“Given the average rating review, the distance from our respective bus stops, the prevailing weather, the day of the week, the time of year, your predilection for spicy food, and the fact that the point of a date is to try and make an impression on the other person, this seemed like the optimal choice.”
It’s this framing of Henri’s character throughout the book that so adds to the enjoyment, and as his day to day life becomes increasingly more embroiled with a bunch of criminals who begin to threaten life and limb this book really starts to accentuate the theme of the little ordinary guy taking on the world and redefining his previous limitations. It has a warm, life affirming feel to it but wonderfully fractured in places with moments of extreme peril and physical danger along the way. The Rabbit Factor is a delight from start to finish, and will entertain and delight you all too I’m sure.
October 30, 2021
What do you get when you cross a mathematician (an actuary as a matter of fact), an adventure park (as opposed to an amusement park), a smattering of Helsinki’s criminal underworld, a budding love story and a developing sense of self?? Why, the answer would be Antti Toumainen’s novel ‘The Rabbit Factor’!!
The Rabbit Factor is a unique and quirky little story told by the inimitable Finnish author who introduces us to the eccentric and kinda easy to like, Henri Koskinen, no-nonsense actuary who inherits his brother’s adventure park. In true Tuomainen style, there is a mix of humour, wit and deeply profound little sentences, like when Henri is dealing with the death of his brother, Juhani... “Death wasn’t abstract, empty and silent; it was a thousand and one objects of different shapes and sizes, each of which took up a space and made a noise when it was thrown in the bin o placed in apparently temporary storage boxes”.
We meet Henri initially as he is grappling with his firm’s new team oriented, feelings driven way of working which ultimately sees him out of a job and before he knows it he is plummeted headlong into adventure park chief executive, complete with giant rabbit with one fairly unstable ear. Henri soon learns that inheriting his brother’s adventure park means inheriting a whole lot of other interesting scenarios and that is where the actuary metamorphosis actually begins... propelled into chaos by the rabbit factor.
While this is a really warm story that is easy to read, I must admit it’s not my favourite of Antti Toumainen’s books. I actually prefer his darker stories. The Rabbit Factor is the lightest shade of noir possible really and I had difficulty working out exactly what type of story it is. It’s part crime thriller, part love story, part finance mystery, part personal narrative all told with an edge of quirky humour and dry witticism. Very enjoyable but probs 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
The Rabbit Factor is a unique and quirky little story told by the inimitable Finnish author who introduces us to the eccentric and kinda easy to like, Henri Koskinen, no-nonsense actuary who inherits his brother’s adventure park. In true Tuomainen style, there is a mix of humour, wit and deeply profound little sentences, like when Henri is dealing with the death of his brother, Juhani... “Death wasn’t abstract, empty and silent; it was a thousand and one objects of different shapes and sizes, each of which took up a space and made a noise when it was thrown in the bin o placed in apparently temporary storage boxes”.
We meet Henri initially as he is grappling with his firm’s new team oriented, feelings driven way of working which ultimately sees him out of a job and before he knows it he is plummeted headlong into adventure park chief executive, complete with giant rabbit with one fairly unstable ear. Henri soon learns that inheriting his brother’s adventure park means inheriting a whole lot of other interesting scenarios and that is where the actuary metamorphosis actually begins... propelled into chaos by the rabbit factor.
While this is a really warm story that is easy to read, I must admit it’s not my favourite of Antti Toumainen’s books. I actually prefer his darker stories. The Rabbit Factor is the lightest shade of noir possible really and I had difficulty working out exactly what type of story it is. It’s part crime thriller, part love story, part finance mystery, part personal narrative all told with an edge of quirky humour and dry witticism. Very enjoyable but probs 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
October 23, 2022
If you like Finish humor or just plain odd humor, then this book will be a gem for you
Apparently, I just don't get Finish humor. I don't know if it is too dry for me to understand, too subtle or what is wrong with me. This book has gotten tons of lovely reviews, and I just can't seem to make it beyond the 33% mark in this book.
I'm not finding mathematics and Actuarial Science all that knee-slapping funny. I haven't even gotten a modest giggle from this book so far.
The thought of this guy, an insurance actuary, inheriting an adventure park should be a hoot, and to see that he has Mafia-like men after him for his brothers' debt...well, Carl Haaison probably could pull this off. But not even the idea of loans for the entrance fees made me chortle.
Maybe I'm just having a bad day???
Apparently, I just don't get Finish humor. I don't know if it is too dry for me to understand, too subtle or what is wrong with me. This book has gotten tons of lovely reviews, and I just can't seem to make it beyond the 33% mark in this book.
I'm not finding mathematics and Actuarial Science all that knee-slapping funny. I haven't even gotten a modest giggle from this book so far.
The thought of this guy, an insurance actuary, inheriting an adventure park should be a hoot, and to see that he has Mafia-like men after him for his brothers' debt...well, Carl Haaison probably could pull this off. But not even the idea of loans for the entrance fees made me chortle.
Maybe I'm just having a bad day???
February 24, 2022
Anfangs war ich sehr skeptisch, da man nicht so richtig ein Gefühl dafür bekam, worum es eigentlich geht bzw was man noch erwarten kann. Aber mit der Zeit hat sich die Geschichte wirklich gut entwickelt, mit viel Humor, etwas Spannung und einer angenehmen Atmosphäre und Charakteren.
June 2, 2023
Henri ma 40 lat, jest aktuariuszem, lubi porządek, w życiu kieruje się logiką i rachunkiem prawdopodobeństwa. Henri zaodowo oblicza prawdopodobieństwo zdarzeń, w wyniku których ubezpieczyciel będzie musiał wypłacić odszkodowanie i ustalić taką wysokość składki, żeby zoptymalizować ewentualne koszty, czyli zawodowo zajmuje się ludzkimi dramatami zredukowanymi do rzędów cyferek i liczb wyświetlanych na monitorze komputera. Wszystko jednak zmienia się, gdy nasz ułożony i do bólu nudny bohater traci pracę i dziedziczy po niedawno zmarłym bracie Park przygody (nie mylić z parkiem rozrywki!) z całym dobrodziejstwem inwentarza.
Jak na Anttiego Tuomainena to była bardzo pogodna i optymistyczna książka. Fakt, trup ściele się tu gęsto, a życie ludzkie zasadniczo nie ma sensu i jest pasmem bólu i prób zaspokojenia potrzeb nie do zaspokojenia (nie na darmo kot Henriego nosi imię Schopenchauer), ale jest nadzieja, że tuż za rogiem czeka nas coś co ten parszywy los odmieni - nie koniecznie na lepsze - ale na pewno na ciekawsze. Takim czymś w przypadku matematyka, może być na przykład miłość i zachwyt nad czymś równie niepoliczalnym, jak sztuka i Antti nam obie te rzeczy pięknie w swojej nowej książce opisał. Oczywiście nadal jest to czarna, absurdalna komedia, ale jakoś tak cieplej zrobiło mi się na sercu, gdy skończyłem czytać, bo bardzo polubiłem bandę oryginałów z tuomainenowego parku przygody.
Jak na Anttiego Tuomainena to była bardzo pogodna i optymistyczna książka. Fakt, trup ściele się tu gęsto, a życie ludzkie zasadniczo nie ma sensu i jest pasmem bólu i prób zaspokojenia potrzeb nie do zaspokojenia (nie na darmo kot Henriego nosi imię Schopenchauer), ale jest nadzieja, że tuż za rogiem czeka nas coś co ten parszywy los odmieni - nie koniecznie na lepsze - ale na pewno na ciekawsze. Takim czymś w przypadku matematyka, może być na przykład miłość i zachwyt nad czymś równie niepoliczalnym, jak sztuka i Antti nam obie te rzeczy pięknie w swojej nowej książce opisał. Oczywiście nadal jest to czarna, absurdalna komedia, ale jakoś tak cieplej zrobiło mi się na sercu, gdy skończyłem czytać, bo bardzo polubiłem bandę oryginałów z tuomainenowego parku przygody.
September 27, 2022
The Rabbit Factor is the first novel in the Rabbit Factor series by award-winning Finnish author, Antti Tuomainen. It is translated from Finnish by David Hackston. The audio version is narrated by David Thorpe. Within a few days in late September 2020, Henri Koskinen has lost his actuarial job, his brother, Juhani, and inherited an Adventure Park on the outskirts of Helsinki. Worse still, when he takes a quick look, he discovers that YouMeFun, despite being a relatively successful business, has a mountain of unpaid bills and a massive loan to repay.
Henri was never really close to Juhani, who had more in common with their chaotic parents. “Juhani was fun and flexible. Humorous and quick-witted. Spontaneous and amiable” while Henri “had only one deep-held wish. I wanted everything to be sensible”
“He used to joke, saying I would die of stiffness. I told him I was very much alive and not at all stiff, I just wanted things to occur in a good, logical order and that I based all my actions on rational thinking” but now Henri wishes he knew more about his brother, and what Juhani could possibly have done with so much money.
Even before he has met all the staff and had a decent look at the books, a reptilian organised-crime type and his heavy turn up to demand payment of his brother’s two-hundred-thousand-euro debt, with interest. Not that Henri has the money to pay but, as an actuary, what he really objects to the exorbitant interest rate: ten per cent over just two and a half weeks? Henri narrowly escapes losing a finger, but he knows that won’t be their last visit.
Sure enough, a few days later, as he’s trying, after hours, to repair the broken ear on a giant rabbit statue, a nasty fellow with a knife (or two) turns up to deliver him an unambiguous message. Another narrow escape that sees Henri taking action he could never have envisaged when he was working for the insurance company, and he really has to figure out something to get them off his back.
What is really puzzling is how Knife Man knew Henri was there alone, and how he got into the park. Juhani gave the staff free rein with running the place: could one of them be in cahoots with the crooks? They are an unusual bunch, and Henri knows his directness can be off-putting:
“‘I can be frank with you, yes?’
‘I believe it’s for the best,’ I say. ‘Some people say it can be rude, but I think the benefits far outweigh the possible drawbacks. I’m not sure of the exact ratio, but in my experience I can say that the probability of causing offence can’t be higher than ten percent. That gives being frank around a ninety-percent chance of success. Those are exceptionally good odds.’”
Needing to pay the loan, the bills and trying to keep the adventure park running, Henri comes up with a bold plan and presents his criminal creditors with an audacious proposal, the sort only an actuary could convince the big man will be viable. His radical idea includes starting a bank and offering park patrons pay-day loans, but can it really work?
As if he doesn’t have enough on his plate, the reptilian guy tries to blackmail him, someone might be sabotaging park structures, and he finds himself falling for the park’s manager. Laura Helanto is an artist whose murals are transforming the park and have Henri inexplicably fascinated. The mathematician in him tries to analyse why, without success. Oh, and a Helsinki Police DI is looking for Knife Man…
As well as the artist, his team consists of Kristian (a maintenance man who was promised the position of General Manager), Minttu K (an alcoholic marketing and sales manager), Esa (a head of security who wants to be a US marine), Samppa (an earringed, tattooed children’s entertainer), Johanna (a fitness-freak café manager) and Venla (a ticket-seller who has yet to turn up for work).
There’s plenty of humour in this novel, some of it quite black, and a delicious irony when Henri uses the exact same touchy-feely language that drove him from his last job to handle Kristian’s promotion demands. Henri will remind some readers of Don Tillman: with his reliance on maths and logic, his imaginative problem solving and good intentions. More of this protagonist, in The Moose Paradox, will be most welcome. Recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Orenda Books
Henri was never really close to Juhani, who had more in common with their chaotic parents. “Juhani was fun and flexible. Humorous and quick-witted. Spontaneous and amiable” while Henri “had only one deep-held wish. I wanted everything to be sensible”
“He used to joke, saying I would die of stiffness. I told him I was very much alive and not at all stiff, I just wanted things to occur in a good, logical order and that I based all my actions on rational thinking” but now Henri wishes he knew more about his brother, and what Juhani could possibly have done with so much money.
Even before he has met all the staff and had a decent look at the books, a reptilian organised-crime type and his heavy turn up to demand payment of his brother’s two-hundred-thousand-euro debt, with interest. Not that Henri has the money to pay but, as an actuary, what he really objects to the exorbitant interest rate: ten per cent over just two and a half weeks? Henri narrowly escapes losing a finger, but he knows that won’t be their last visit.
Sure enough, a few days later, as he’s trying, after hours, to repair the broken ear on a giant rabbit statue, a nasty fellow with a knife (or two) turns up to deliver him an unambiguous message. Another narrow escape that sees Henri taking action he could never have envisaged when he was working for the insurance company, and he really has to figure out something to get them off his back.
What is really puzzling is how Knife Man knew Henri was there alone, and how he got into the park. Juhani gave the staff free rein with running the place: could one of them be in cahoots with the crooks? They are an unusual bunch, and Henri knows his directness can be off-putting:
“‘I can be frank with you, yes?’
‘I believe it’s for the best,’ I say. ‘Some people say it can be rude, but I think the benefits far outweigh the possible drawbacks. I’m not sure of the exact ratio, but in my experience I can say that the probability of causing offence can’t be higher than ten percent. That gives being frank around a ninety-percent chance of success. Those are exceptionally good odds.’”
Needing to pay the loan, the bills and trying to keep the adventure park running, Henri comes up with a bold plan and presents his criminal creditors with an audacious proposal, the sort only an actuary could convince the big man will be viable. His radical idea includes starting a bank and offering park patrons pay-day loans, but can it really work?
As if he doesn’t have enough on his plate, the reptilian guy tries to blackmail him, someone might be sabotaging park structures, and he finds himself falling for the park’s manager. Laura Helanto is an artist whose murals are transforming the park and have Henri inexplicably fascinated. The mathematician in him tries to analyse why, without success. Oh, and a Helsinki Police DI is looking for Knife Man…
As well as the artist, his team consists of Kristian (a maintenance man who was promised the position of General Manager), Minttu K (an alcoholic marketing and sales manager), Esa (a head of security who wants to be a US marine), Samppa (an earringed, tattooed children’s entertainer), Johanna (a fitness-freak café manager) and Venla (a ticket-seller who has yet to turn up for work).
There’s plenty of humour in this novel, some of it quite black, and a delicious irony when Henri uses the exact same touchy-feely language that drove him from his last job to handle Kristian’s promotion demands. Henri will remind some readers of Don Tillman: with his reliance on maths and logic, his imaginative problem solving and good intentions. More of this protagonist, in The Moose Paradox, will be most welcome. Recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Orenda Books
October 23, 2022
Silly,flat.
October 29, 2022
Habe das Buch auf Grund einer Empfehlung von NDR Kultur gelesen. Zu Beginn war ich etwas skeptisch, da ich anfangs viel Klamauk erwartet hab. Diese Befürchtung hat sich glücklicherweise überhaupt nicht bestätigt.
Spannende Geschichte mit interessanteren Charakteren. Freue mich auf die Fortsetzung!
Spannende Geschichte mit interessanteren Charakteren. Freue mich auf die Fortsetzung!
November 26, 2021
Discover the locations in the novel The Rabbit Factor
Ah the King of Finnish quirky crime is here and he’s got a rabbit with him, a Komodo dragon and a cat by the name of Schopenhauer. It’s a crime novel, set in an adventure park close to Helsinki. Now, with a premise and characters like that, what more could you ask for?
I never thought I would read a novel set in an adventure park featuring a giant plastic rabbit. A crime novel no less. Would this work? What a strange mix! Well, yes, in the hands of anyone other than Finnish writer Antti Tuomainen!
This man is quirky, wears the best shirts in the book business and always has that cheeky smirk on his face. Luckily that all comes through loud and clear in this novel. It’s dark and serious too but ultimately quirky and fascinating. That cover is bound to attract readers even before the plot comes into play!
The setting of the novel is perhaps the quirkiest thing about the whole thing It’s set in an adventure park that must never be described as an amusement park whatever you do! You get to explore a little around Helsinki too but the city is a mere backdrop to the shenanigans that are going on inside that park!
The smart thing about this book is that it seems to be one thing and then it takes on a life of its own. Think of a gremlin when someone feeds it after midnight! It’s a novel about someone who works in risk and uncertainty as an actuary, inherits an adventure park and then becomes involved with the mafia. Oh and it’s called YouMeFun and contains a huge plastic rabbit.
The plot is one thing, but it’s the fresh take on things, the originality of the whole thing and the deliciously drawn characters who really shine. Sorry, I forgot the cat Schopenhauer- he was a delight!
May 30, 2022
Διαβάστε το review στο site μας:
https://www.culture21century.gr/2022/...
Το τελευταίο διάστημα τα νεύρα μου δεν είναι και πολύ στα καλά τους και υπάρχει σοβαρή πιθανότητα να ευθύνεται το "Five nights at Freddy's" -όσοι είστε gamers σίγουρα ξέρετε για ποιο σατανοπαίχνιδο του PS4 μιλάω-, οπότε, ότ��ν το "Παράγων λαγός" έφτασε στα χέρια μου, όχι μόνο χαριτωμένο δεν βρήκα το κουνελάκι του εξωφύλλου, που κάποιους άλλους θα μπορούσε να τους ξεγελάσει με ευκολία και να πιστέψουν πως το περιεχόμενό του θα είναι γλυκούλικο κι αστείο, αλλά σίγουρα όχι εμένα. Αντίθετα, το βρήκα ανατριχιαστικό μέχρι εκεί που δεν πάει, με εφιαλτικά σενάρια να περνάνε από μυαλό μου, γιατί πέραν τις τραυματικές εμπειρίες του τελευταίου διαστήματος, κάπου στο πίσω μέρος του μυαλού ξεπήδησε και το κουνέλι απ' το αγαπημένο "Donnie Darko" και ήρθε κι έδεσε το γλυκό. Πώς εξελίχθηκε τελικά η όλη αναγνωστική εμπειρία;
Η ιστορία μας είναι τοποθετημένη στο Ελσίνκι του σήμερα και πρωταγωνιστής μας είναι ο Χένρι Κόσκινεν, αναλογιστής μαθηματικός στο επάγγελμα, το οποίο παίρνει τόσο πολύ στα σοβαρά, που κάθε τι στη ζωή του το κάνει με αναλογικό τρόπο. Υπολογίζει τα πάντα με ακρίβεια δεκαδικού και δεν μπορεί να διαχειριστεί τίποτα έξω απ' αυτό το αρμονικό μοτίβο, γεγονός που δεν τον καθιστά την ψυχή του πάρτι. Κάπως έτσι, η ζωή τού τα φέρνει ανάποδα, όταν χάνει τη δουλειά του -με τον χαρακτήρα του ν' αποτελεί τον βασικό λόγο γι' αυτό-, ενώ παράλληλα κληρονομεί ένα πάρκο περιπέτειας από τον αδερφό του, το οποίο, όμως, έρχεται πακέτο με τους εφτά παράξενους υπαλλήλους του, που κανένας τους δεν θα μπορούσε να επιβιώσει έξω στον πραγματικό κόσμο, μα κι ένα σωρό χρέη, με κάποιους πολύ επικίνδυνους ανθρώπους να βρίσκονται πίσω από αυτά και οι οποίοι δεν είναι διατεθειμένοι να χάσουν έτσι απλά τα λεφτά τους.
Λοιπόν... Για να ξεκινήσω από κάπου, το "Παράγων λαγός" σίγουρα δεν ήταν ακριβώς αυτό που περίμενα να διαβάσω. Ναι, είναι μια ιστορία που διαθέτει αρκετά ανατριχιαστικά κι αλλοπρόσαλλα στοιχεία, όμως την ίδια στιγμή, και προς μεγάλη μου έκπληξη, είναι μια ιστορία που διαθέτει άλλα τόσα κωμικά στοιχεία, τα οποία καθιστούν την ανάγνωσή της, εκτός από ενδιαφέρουσα και πολύ διασκεδαστική. Υπάρχει φως, υπάρχει και σκοτάδι, με τα δυο τους να "χορεύουν" σε έναν κοινό ρυθμό, δημιουργώντας ένα ιδιόρρυθμο και πρωτότυπο ενιαίο σύνολο, όπου η περιπέτεια, το ανθρώπινο δράμα, η δράση, η αγωνία, το ερωτικό στοιχείο και η κωμωδία μπλέκονται σε ένα γαϊτανάκι που σε ��αρασύρει μαζί του και που σε βάζει σε μια διαδικασία να προσπαθήσεις ν' ανακαλύψεις τις μικρές και μεγάλες λεπτομέρειες που δεν έχεις ακόμα εντοπίσει, και που θα σε βοηθήσουν στην επίλυση του γρίφου, με τους ίδιους να βρίσκονται πολλές μπροστά στα μάτια σου κι εσύ ν' αδυνατείς να τους παρατηρήσεις.
Ο Χένρι είναι ένας ιδιόρρυθμος χαρακτήρας, αλλά πολύ έξω από τις σταθερές των ιδιορρυθμιών που μας έχει συνηθίσει -ή κι εκπαιδεύσει, θα μπορούσαμε να πούμε- το είδος, και αυτό είναι που τον καθιστά τόσο γοητευτικό κι ενδιαφέρον, όχι απαραίτητα επειδή καταφέρνει να μας γίνει συμπαθής -δεν θα έλεγα ότι πετυχαίνει κάτι τέτοιο με μεγάλη επιτυχία-, αλλά γιατί αποτελεί για εμάς αχαρτογράφητο έδαφος, άρα μας προκαλεί να εμβαθύνουμε σε αυτόν, να τον ανακαλύψουμε και να τον αναλύσουμε. Εξίσου ενδιαφέροντες είναι και οι υπάλληλοι που κληρονομεί μαζί με το πάρκο, με τον καθέναν απ' αυτούς ν' αποτελεί και μια διαφορετική προέκταση της ίδιας της κοινωνίας, αλλά και με τις μεταξύ τους σχέσεις να παίζουν τον δικό τους, καθοριστικό ρόλο, όσο αυτές εξελίσσονται και διαμορφώνονται. Την ίδια ώρα, όμως, υπάρχει και μια σειρά από πτώματα που συσσωρεύονται, ένας επιθεωρητής της αστυνομίας αποφασισμένος να κάνει το καθήκον του και μια σειρά από ορατές κι αόρατες απειλές που πρέπει ν' αντιμετωπιστούν πριν να επέλθει η καταστροφή.
Το "Παράγων λαγός" είναι ένα ιδιαίτερο και εξαιρετικά πρωτότυπο φιλανδικό αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα, που αποδεικνύει πως η σκανδιναβική λογοτεχνία του είδους, εκτός από ζοφερή, καταθλιπτική και σκοτεινή, μπορεί να είναι πολλά περισσότερα, μπορεί να αλλάζει, να εξελίσσεται, να μην μένει υποταγμένη σε κανόνες που θεωρητικά έχουν επιβληθεί τα τελευταία χρόνια, αλλά που στην πραγματικότητα κανένας δεν είναι υποχρεωμένος να τους ακολουθεί. Καλογραμμένο, με γρήγορο ρυθμό κι εντάσεις, πρωτότυπο τόσο στον πυρήνα του όσο και στην ανάπτυξη αυτού, έξυπνο, αγωνιώδες και διασκεδαστικό συνάμα, το βιβλίο αυτό έρχεται να ρίξει λίγο φως στα σκοτάδια της αστυνομικής λογοτεχνίας της Σκανδιναβίας, αποδεικνύοντας πως είναι σε θέση το να προσφέρει κάτι διαφορετικό, κάτι περισσότερο, αντί να συντηρεί κουραστικά κλισέ. Λέγεται πως θα ακολουθήσουν άλλα δύο βιβλία και ειλικρινά, τα περιμένω με χαρά.
https://www.culture21century.gr/2022/...
Το τελευταίο διάστημα τα νεύρα μου δεν είναι και πολύ στα καλά τους και υπάρχει σοβαρή πιθανότητα να ευθύνεται το "Five nights at Freddy's" -όσοι είστε gamers σίγουρα ξέρετε για ποιο σατανοπαίχνιδο του PS4 μιλάω-, οπότε, ότ��ν το "Παράγων λαγός" έφτασε στα χέρια μου, όχι μόνο χαριτωμένο δεν βρήκα το κουνελάκι του εξωφύλλου, που κάποιους άλλους θα μπορούσε να τους ξεγελάσει με ευκολία και να πιστέψουν πως το περιεχόμενό του θα είναι γλυκούλικο κι αστείο, αλλά σίγουρα όχι εμένα. Αντίθετα, το βρήκα ανατριχιαστικό μέχρι εκεί που δεν πάει, με εφιαλτικά σενάρια να περνάνε από μυαλό μου, γιατί πέραν τις τραυματικές εμπειρίες του τελευταίου διαστήματος, κάπου στο πίσω μέρος του μυαλού ξεπήδησε και το κουνέλι απ' το αγαπημένο "Donnie Darko" και ήρθε κι έδεσε το γλυκό. Πώς εξελίχθηκε τελικά η όλη αναγνωστική εμπειρία;
Η ιστορία μας είναι τοποθετημένη στο Ελσίνκι του σήμερα και πρωταγωνιστής μας είναι ο Χένρι Κόσκινεν, αναλογιστής μαθηματικός στο επάγγελμα, το οποίο παίρνει τόσο πολύ στα σοβαρά, που κάθε τι στη ζωή του το κάνει με αναλογικό τρόπο. Υπολογίζει τα πάντα με ακρίβεια δεκαδικού και δεν μπορεί να διαχειριστεί τίποτα έξω απ' αυτό το αρμονικό μοτίβο, γεγονός που δεν τον καθιστά την ψυχή του πάρτι. Κάπως έτσι, η ζωή τού τα φέρνει ανάποδα, όταν χάνει τη δουλειά του -με τον χαρακτήρα του ν' αποτελεί τον βασικό λόγο γι' αυτό-, ενώ παράλληλα κληρονομεί ένα πάρκο περιπέτειας από τον αδερφό του, το οποίο, όμως, έρχεται πακέτο με τους εφτά παράξενους υπαλλήλους του, που κανένας τους δεν θα μπορούσε να επιβιώσει έξω στον πραγματικό κόσμο, μα κι ένα σωρό χρέη, με κάποιους πολύ επικίνδυνους ανθρώπους να βρίσκονται πίσω από αυτά και οι οποίοι δεν είναι διατεθειμένοι να χάσουν έτσι απλά τα λεφτά τους.
Λοιπόν... Για να ξεκινήσω από κάπου, το "Παράγων λαγός" σίγουρα δεν ήταν ακριβώς αυτό που περίμενα να διαβάσω. Ναι, είναι μια ιστορία που διαθέτει αρκετά ανατριχιαστικά κι αλλοπρόσαλλα στοιχεία, όμως την ίδια στιγμή, και προς μεγάλη μου έκπληξη, είναι μια ιστορία που διαθέτει άλλα τόσα κωμικά στοιχεία, τα οποία καθιστούν την ανάγνωσή της, εκτός από ενδιαφέρουσα και πολύ διασκεδαστική. Υπάρχει φως, υπάρχει και σκοτάδι, με τα δυο τους να "χορεύουν" σε έναν κοινό ρυθμό, δημιουργώντας ένα ιδιόρρυθμο και πρωτότυπο ενιαίο σύνολο, όπου η περιπέτεια, το ανθρώπινο δράμα, η δράση, η αγωνία, το ερωτικό στοιχείο και η κωμωδία μπλέκονται σε ένα γαϊτανάκι που σε ��αρασύρει μαζί του και που σε βάζει σε μια διαδικασία να προσπαθήσεις ν' ανακαλύψεις τις μικρές και μεγάλες λεπτομέρειες που δεν έχεις ακόμα εντοπίσει, και που θα σε βοηθήσουν στην επίλυση του γρίφου, με τους ίδιους να βρίσκονται πολλές μπροστά στα μάτια σου κι εσύ ν' αδυνατείς να τους παρατηρήσεις.
Ο Χένρι είναι ένας ιδιόρρυθμος χαρακτήρας, αλλά πολύ έξω από τις σταθερές των ιδιορρυθμιών που μας έχει συνηθίσει -ή κι εκπαιδεύσει, θα μπορούσαμε να πούμε- το είδος, και αυτό είναι που τον καθιστά τόσο γοητευτικό κι ενδιαφέρον, όχι απαραίτητα επειδή καταφέρνει να μας γίνει συμπαθής -δεν θα έλεγα ότι πετυχαίνει κάτι τέτοιο με μεγάλη επιτυχία-, αλλά γιατί αποτελεί για εμάς αχαρτογράφητο έδαφος, άρα μας προκαλεί να εμβαθύνουμε σε αυτόν, να τον ανακαλύψουμε και να τον αναλύσουμε. Εξίσου ενδιαφέροντες είναι και οι υπάλληλοι που κληρονομεί μαζί με το πάρκο, με τον καθέναν απ' αυτούς ν' αποτελεί και μια διαφορετική προέκταση της ίδιας της κοινωνίας, αλλά και με τις μεταξύ τους σχέσεις να παίζουν τον δικό τους, καθοριστικό ρόλο, όσο αυτές εξελίσσονται και διαμορφώνονται. Την ίδια ώρα, όμως, υπάρχει και μια σειρά από πτώματα που συσσωρεύονται, ένας επιθεωρητής της αστυνομίας αποφασισμένος να κάνει το καθήκον του και μια σειρά από ορατές κι αόρατες απειλές που πρέπει ν' αντιμετωπιστούν πριν να επέλθει η καταστροφή.
Το "Παράγων λαγός" είναι ένα ιδιαίτερο και εξαιρετικά πρωτότυπο φιλανδικό αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα, που αποδεικνύει πως η σκανδιναβική λογοτεχνία του είδους, εκτός από ζοφερή, καταθλιπτική και σκοτεινή, μπορεί να είναι πολλά περισσότερα, μπορεί να αλλάζει, να εξελίσσεται, να μην μένει υποταγμένη σε κανόνες που θεωρητικά έχουν επιβληθεί τα τελευταία χρόνια, αλλά που στην πραγματικότητα κανένας δεν είναι υποχρεωμένος να τους ακολουθεί. Καλογραμμένο, με γρήγορο ρυθμό κι εντάσεις, πρωτότυπο τόσο στον πυρήνα του όσο και στην ανάπτυξη αυτού, έξυπνο, αγωνιώδες και διασκεδαστικό συνάμα, το βιβλίο αυτό έρχεται να ρίξει λίγο φως στα σκοτάδια της αστυνομικής λογοτεχνίας της Σκανδιναβίας, αποδεικνύοντας πως είναι σε θέση το να προσφέρει κάτι διαφορετικό, κάτι περισσότερο, αντί να συντηρεί κουραστικά κλισέ. Λέγεται πως θα ακολουθήσουν άλλα δύο βιβλία και ειλικρινά, τα περιμένω με χαρά.
April 14, 2022
Well this was good fun, a nice gentle comedy interwoven with little bits of violence and crammed full of fantastic characters, what more could you want? An adventure Park you say? Well it’s got one of them too. Our main character is Henri a man lost in his own little world of maths and logic, after the death of his brother he inherits an adventure park and all the craziness of his brother’s life, his own life in turn becomes flipped on its head…all logic and order is thrown out of the window the moment he sees Laura. For Henri this is going to be a real coming-of-age story.
The comedy factor of this book is not slap-stick and it isn’t over the top, it is a humour that has you chuckling to yourself the whole time…even during scenes you probably shouldn’t be…how can a scene where a kid has a broken leg make you smile? You gotta read this to find out. There are a lot of discussions about maths, Henri likes to share his workings with the reader, the bulk of this did go over my head, some of it is real life stuff like loans that I will never understand so Tuomainen was onto a losing battle there. The park employees and the gangster types are all well developed and they each get their moment to shine, and this is going to be a series of books so I’m looking forward to finding out more from the likes of Joanna, Esa and the wild marketing lady.
The whole story is pretty tidy, it is all very meticulous and it will be tough to find any plot holes and at the book’s final conclusion this reader was left pleased with how everything was played out with no loose ends, the book left me wanting more. A huge success. This book is going to be made into a movie starring Steve Carroll, not sure how I feel about that at the moment, he isn’t who I pictured Henri to be like. A fantastic start to this series.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2022...
The comedy factor of this book is not slap-stick and it isn’t over the top, it is a humour that has you chuckling to yourself the whole time…even during scenes you probably shouldn’t be…how can a scene where a kid has a broken leg make you smile? You gotta read this to find out. There are a lot of discussions about maths, Henri likes to share his workings with the reader, the bulk of this did go over my head, some of it is real life stuff like loans that I will never understand so Tuomainen was onto a losing battle there. The park employees and the gangster types are all well developed and they each get their moment to shine, and this is going to be a series of books so I’m looking forward to finding out more from the likes of Joanna, Esa and the wild marketing lady.
The whole story is pretty tidy, it is all very meticulous and it will be tough to find any plot holes and at the book’s final conclusion this reader was left pleased with how everything was played out with no loose ends, the book left me wanting more. A huge success. This book is going to be made into a movie starring Steve Carroll, not sure how I feel about that at the moment, he isn’t who I pictured Henri to be like. A fantastic start to this series.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2022...
June 14, 2022
Ας υποθέσουμε οτι κληρονομείτε ένα λούνα παρκ ή μάλλον ένα πάρκο περιπέτειας. Ποιο θα ήταν το πρώτο πράγμα που θα κάνατε; Σίγουρα δε θα σκοτώνατε κάποιον! Ούτε θα τον κρύβατε σ'έναν καταψύκτη
Ο Χενρι, 42 ετών, είναι αναλογιστής μαθηματικός. Υπολογίζει τα πάντα με κάθε λεπτομέρεια. Κάθε του κίνηση είναι σωστά μελετημένη. Ζει μια αρκετά βαρετή και μονότονη ζωή. Ώσπου μια μέρα όλα θα ανατραπούν, όταν χάσει τη δουλειά του. Και σαν να μην έφτανε αυτό, ένας δικηγόρος θα τον ενημερώσει ότι ο αδερφός του πέθανε και του κληροδοτεί ένα πάρκο περιπέτειας.
Τα προβλήματα αρχίζουν από τη στιγμή που θα μάθει ότι ο αδερφός του είχε δανειστεί μεγάλα ποσά από τοκογλύφους, οι οποίοι τώρα ζητούν από τον Χένρι τα χρωστούμενα. Οι τοκογλύφοι καταφεύγουν σε διάφορες μεθόδους προκειμένου να πάρουν πίσω τα χρήματά τους. Και εκεί αρχίζει η δράση, η αγωνία και το κυνηγητό. Ποιος θα περίμενε, άραγε, ότι το αυτί ενός λαγού θα μπορούσε να αποτελέσει αντικείμενο εγκλήματος; Και παράλληλα με όλα αυτά, ο Χένρι θα έρθει κοντά με την Λάουρα, μια υπάλληλο του πάρκου και θα νιώσει πρωτόγνωρα συναισθήματα. Πώς θα εξελιχθεί αυτή η σχέση; Θα καταφέρει να ξεφύγει από τους τοκογλύφους; Θα σώσει το πάρκο;
Ο Χενρι, 42 ετών, είναι αναλογιστής μαθηματικός. Υπολογίζει τα πάντα με κάθε λεπτομέρεια. Κάθε του κίνηση είναι σωστά μελετημένη. Ζει μια αρκετά βαρετή και μονότονη ζωή. Ώσπου μια μέρα όλα θα ανατραπούν, όταν χάσει τη δουλειά του. Και σαν να μην έφτανε αυτό, ένας δικηγόρος θα τον ενημερώσει ότι ο αδερφός του πέθανε και του κληροδοτεί ένα πάρκο περιπέτειας.
Τα προβλήματα αρχίζουν από τη στιγμή που θα μάθει ότι ο αδερφός του είχε δανειστεί μεγάλα ποσά από τοκογλύφους, οι οποίοι τώρα ζητούν από τον Χένρι τα χρωστούμενα. Οι τοκογλύφοι καταφεύγουν σε διάφορες μεθόδους προκειμένου να πάρουν πίσω τα χρήματά τους. Και εκεί αρχίζει η δράση, η αγωνία και το κυνηγητό. Ποιος θα περίμενε, άραγε, ότι το αυτί ενός λαγού θα μπορούσε να αποτελέσει αντικείμενο εγκλήματος; Και παράλληλα με όλα αυτά, ο Χένρι θα έρθει κοντά με την Λάουρα, μια υπάλληλο του πάρκου και θα νιώσει πρωτόγνωρα συναισθήματα. Πώς θα εξελιχθεί αυτή η σχέση; Θα καταφέρει να ξεφύγει από τους τοκογλύφους; Θα σώσει το πάρκο;
June 15, 2022
Πρόκειται για ένα ιδιόρρυθμο βιβλίο που μιλά για έναν ιδιόρρυθμο τύπο, που καλείται να κάνει μια ιδιόρρυθμη δουλειά και που βιώνει ένα σκασμό ιδιόμορφες καταστάσεις. Αν και βλέποντας αρχικά το εξώφυλλο νόμιζα ότι πρόκειται για παιδικό βιβλίο, εν τούτοις διαβάζοντάς το διαπίστωσα ότι μόνο παιδικό δεν το λες. Είναι μια απίθανη ιστορία, που εκτός των άλλων διαθέτει και στοιχεία αστυνομικού μυθιστορήματος μα και αρκετό χιούμορ. Ιδιόρρυθμο κι αυτό. Και μαύρο!
Κατά βάση είναι ένα πρωτότυπο και ιδιαίτερο μυθιστόρημα που αποδεικνύει πως οι Σκανδιναβοί εκτός από κτηνώδη εγκλήματα ξέρουν να γράφουν και για ανθρώπινα αισθήματα και συμπεριφορές, για κοινωνικές και άλλες επιταγές, για αλλοπρόσαλλες καταστάσεις και για ανυπέρβλητα εμπόδια. Προσωπικά το απόλαυσα και περιμένω να διαβάσω το επόμενο βιβλίο του συγγραφέα.
Κατά βάση είναι ένα πρωτότυπο και ιδιαίτερο μυθιστόρημα που αποδεικνύει πως οι Σκανδιναβοί εκτός από κτηνώδη εγκλήματα ξέρουν να γράφουν και για ανθρώπινα αισθήματα και συμπεριφορές, για κοινωνικές και άλλες επιταγές, για αλλοπρόσαλλες καταστάσεις και για ανυπέρβλητα εμπόδια. Προσωπικά το απόλαυσα και περιμένω να διαβάσω το επόμενο βιβλίο του συγγραφέα.
March 7, 2021
3,5⭐️
Helmet-lukuhaaste: 31. Jännityskirja tai dekkari
Helmet-lukuhaaste: 31. Jännityskirja tai dekkari
June 15, 2022
3.5. Διαβάζεται απνευστί. Ανάλαφρο και ευχάριστο γραμμένο σε ύφος σεναρίου. Αριστουργηματικό σε καμία περίπτωση αλλά πολύ διασκεδαστικό.
November 15, 2022
I’ve been intrigued by Antti Tuomainen’s books for quite some time now; his books give off a very definite impression of dark mixed with some quirky comedy. The Rabbit Factor definitely maintained this impression.
Henri is the star of this story, needless to say, his life was turned upside down when he lost his job crunching numbers and began managing the people at the amusement…sorry, “adventure park” that he inherited from his brother. It was fun following Henri as he navigated the illogical life he inherited. I really enjoyed how Henri would apply his mathematical logic to situations that are completely unpredictable and based on human emotional decisions. This juxtaposition made for a really fun read.
The Rabbit Factor is on the lighter side of Nordic Noir. There is a criminal element, but our protagonist is more interested in survival than taking down the bad guys. Unlike most of the Nordic Noir that I’ve read, Henri doesn’t really have a dark side, he is a special kind of person, but he doesn’t have a dark cloud following him around. Did I miss this aspect? Not really, it was refreshing to have a protagonist who was friendly and upbeat. Henri had a checkered past, but it seems to have made him stronger, he doesn’t allow it to keep him down.
The Rabbit Factor was a fun book to read. It was a different type of story. It reinforced that I really should add more Antti Tuomainen to my reading list.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).
Henri is the star of this story, needless to say, his life was turned upside down when he lost his job crunching numbers and began managing the people at the amusement…sorry, “adventure park” that he inherited from his brother. It was fun following Henri as he navigated the illogical life he inherited. I really enjoyed how Henri would apply his mathematical logic to situations that are completely unpredictable and based on human emotional decisions. This juxtaposition made for a really fun read.
The Rabbit Factor is on the lighter side of Nordic Noir. There is a criminal element, but our protagonist is more interested in survival than taking down the bad guys. Unlike most of the Nordic Noir that I’ve read, Henri doesn’t really have a dark side, he is a special kind of person, but he doesn’t have a dark cloud following him around. Did I miss this aspect? Not really, it was refreshing to have a protagonist who was friendly and upbeat. Henri had a checkered past, but it seems to have made him stronger, he doesn’t allow it to keep him down.
The Rabbit Factor was a fun book to read. It was a different type of story. It reinforced that I really should add more Antti Tuomainen to my reading list.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).
December 29, 2022
An actuary inherits an adventure park from his shady brother and it is the making of him as he battles various (and for Finland surprisingly frequent) psychotic criminals. The book manages to be both gently gripping and very funny without descending into twee too much. For those who enjoy their crime thrillers a little different.
November 5, 2021
The first part in an intended trilogy, Antti Tuomainen's The Rabbit Factor is much more than a typical Nordic crime novel as the Finnish author combines the farcical with the lurid and the outcome is a multi-faceted book that resists strict genre categorization for all the right reasons. The ubiquitous comical element is aptly incorporated to the main storyline that chronicles the journey of a rather one-dimensional protagonist to a fully-fleshed character through the power of art and love. The text bears the trademark characteristics of Tuomainen's writing style and dazzles the reader due to its wittiness and dark humor that pervades the plot and provides the necessary relief from some truly heinous acts such as the murder of a man with the ear of a giant plastic rabbit.
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/the-ra...
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/the-ra...
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